I was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, and I have been a PA for 21 years. I have experience in several facets of PA practice, including clinical practice (Internal Med, Family Med, Emergency Med), administration, and education. I am currently faculty and co-director of the PA program at Touro University in Skokie, IL. I have been on the IAPA board for many years, serving in the past as delegate, chief delegate, and currently treasurer. I am actively involved in the AAPA, the PAEA, and the ARC-PA and feel I have a unique and well rounded perspective on the PA profession and would be honored to serve as president.

I was born and raised in Oklahoma and relocated to Illinois in 2009. I have been in my current role as a PA in Occupational and Employee Health/ Immediate Care for 12 years at Endeavor Health. My professional activities include the Endeavor Health APP CME Conference Event, APP Council Development, Advanced Communication Workshop for Providers, and the APP Newsletter. I reside in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with my husband and two children. I enjoy outdoor fitness activities, traveling, and watching my children play sports.

I have been a PA for 17 years. I have worked in primary care, specifically in family medicine and general pediatrics. In addition to my clinical experience, I have been involved in PA/APRN administration for Advocate Aurora Health. Currently, I work at Midwestern University as an Assistant Professor in the PA Program.

24 years and counting of Military Medical service, 12 years as a PA in various specialties. The last 5 years working in Trauma Surgery on the South side of Chicago. 3 years as IAPA Legislative co-chair, 2 years as IAPA HOD delegate to AAPA.

Alexi F. Child is a PA practicing in the OB-GYN/Reproductive Health field in Chicagoland, IL. While an Oregon native, she has called IL home since 2019, when she started PA school at Midwestern University. Additional interests include teaching Women’s Health, both as a preceptor to PA students and as an Adjunct Professor at the Touro PA Program in Skokie. Serving as the IAPA Legislative Committee Co-Chair also keeps her busy, but still allows enough time to catch a soccer match or go running on Chicago’s endlessly flat terrain.

My name is Jessica Alwerdt and I am a practicing physician associate here in central Illinois for 15 years, both in Emergency Medicine and Hospital Medicine. Currently I work in both critical access and larger urban hospitals in Emergency Medicine, serving on multiple hospital committees including lead APP for our group. I previously was involved in research, using plant bioflavonoids to impede cancer cell growth before transitioning to clinical medicine. I have served as Region 5 Director for IAPA in the past. I am a Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA and adjunct Professor for SIU School of Medicine PA Program.

Camila Salvador has been working as a physician assistant with Access Community Health Network for almost four years. She was born and raised in Illinois and graduated from the University of Dubuque MPAS program in 2020 and the SIU DMSc program in 2023. She has been an Illinois delegate for the AAPA and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Camila is passionate about improving access to quality care and has enjoyed being an active member of the IAPA. Outside of work, Camila enjoys traveling, reading, and tennis.

I am a Chicago native specializing in Advanced Gynecology at Rush University Medical Center. Throughout my career, I have served as Director of Region 3 and Chair of the Continuing Medical Education Committee for the Illinois Association of Physician Assistants. Additionally, I have held multiple roles on the Employee Engagement Committee and currently serve on the Governance Committee at Rush University Medical Center. I am committed to supporting the professional development of my colleagues. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our 3 daughters, and 2 dogs.