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Central Texas
Physician Assistant Society  

President


Julia Huo, PA-C


Julia (Yujia) Huo was born in China. She became a Texas resident in 2006 after moving with her parents in 2006. After getting a B.S in molecular biology from UT Austin in 2008, she worked in Houston as a Research assistant at MD Anderson, where she became exceedingly interested in the practical side of Medicine. Julia entered UTMB-Galveston PA program in 2011 and graduated in 2013. The love of central Texas and her life brought her back to Austin. She has been working in Family Medicine in Kyle, Texas since 2014. Her interest is in nutrition, preventive medicine and psychiatric disorder.

Julia currently lives in San Marcos with her husband. 

President Elect




Secretary


Julia Forsberg, PA-C


Julia Forsberg is a board-certified physician assistant (PA) and educator focused on patient education and empowerment. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas and then completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas.  


She began her career as a PA in orthopedic surgery at Texas Orthopedics in Austin, Texas. She worked in both the clinical and operating room settings, specializing in total joint replacement. Due to the flexible nature of the PA profession, she then transitioned to outpatient psychiatry, at Roots Behavioral Health in Austin, Texas. In this role, she honed a different set of skills to bring quality mental health care to patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She focused on medication management but also provided progressive treatment options such as ketamine therapy.


Most recently, Julia joined the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to 
build and teach at one of the first PA programs in Austin. She is excited to lay the groundwork for what will become an innovative, high-quality PA program in the

heart of Texas.


Julia remains an active member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants(TAPA) and American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). Outside of work, she enjoys game nights with friends, traveling, hiking and rock climbing.

Treasurer


Mary Schuwerk, PA-C

Mary Evelyn Schuwerk is a Texas board-certified Physician Assistant (PA) with more than three years practice experience primarily focused in pain management.

Before pursuing her PA education at Pacific University in thePortland, Oregon area, Mary earned a master's degree in Public Health (MPH) from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston. During her academic journey, she served as an advisory member to the Governor of Texas on the Texas Bleeding Disorders Advisory Council, aimed at shaping policy recommendations to elevate the quality of care for individuals living with bleeding disorders across the state. After obtaining her MPH, she moved to Spain for a year to learn Spanish.

Mary obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. During her college years, she competed and ranked nationally in women's collegiate powerlifting.

Born and raised in Houston, Texas. She is the proud mother of a precious toddler and dog mom to a Shih Tzu-Maltese named Bo. In her rare spare time she enjoys hiking, paddle boarding and trying new restaurants.

Membership Director


Nina Jolley, PA-C

Nina Jolley, PA-C recently transitioned to her dream specialty, women’s health, where she is excited to empower and support her patients through their sexual and reproductive health journeys. With prior experience in psychiatry, she continues to promote prioritizing and optimizing mental health care. 

She completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nevada, Reno and her Master of Clinical Medical Science and Physician Assistant Certification at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.

Nina's special interests include mental health, sexual and reproductive health and preventive medicine. Nina is passionate about serving marginalized populations and advocating for equitable healthcare access.

Nina is an active member of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA), American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and Association of Physician Associates in Obstetrics and Gynecology (APAOG). Outside of work, she likes to go hiking with her husband and dogs, Baxter and Gracie, traveling, and eating her way around Austin. 

PA Advocacy Chair



Valerie Dezarae Cavazos, PA-C

Valerie Cavazos PA-C, MPAS, is a bilingual Physician Assistant that has specialized in Orthopedics after graduating from The University of Texas Health Science Center in 2016. She has worked in Orthopedic Trauma, Spine, Sports and Total Joints over the last nine years.  


In 2020, she became founder of The Burnout Project for which she has a lot of passion and initiative to help prevent and resolve burnout in healthcare, education and the tech industry.  She currently works with individuals and small business as a consultant in Burnout Prevention and Career Coaching. In addition, she coaches pre-PA and pre med students with their application, interview and post graduation hiring processes. 

You can follow The Burnout Project ATX on Instagram and attend community events and experiences that promote mental health advocacy and burnout prevention!  

She was born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley and has great pride and appreciation for her Mexican culture and heritage.  Her passion outside of work includes spending time her family and friends, traveling, hiking, camping and scuba diving. She has a chocolate lab named, Torpedo that she loves and cares for dearly.


Valerie coordinates educational dinners for CTPAS and is the marketing agent for our society. She directly works with sponsors and donors to focus on educational outreach and society expansion.  She was able to maintain CTPAS community engagement and sponsorships through the 2020 COVID Pandemic via virtual dinners and zoom presentations.  It has been a great achievement to see our CTPAS community grow and be engaged throughout the years of hardship we have faced in healthcare and are always grateful for CTPAS donors, partners and sponsors. In addition to that, Valerie is also the PA Advocate for our members! 

Reach out to Valerie Cavazos PA-C to discuss how to be get involved! 

956-827-4304

CME Coordinator

Sara Arcement, PA-C, MPAS 


Technology Officer


Joanna Lopez, PA-C, MPH   

Joanna Lopez, PA-C, MPH, is a bilingual associate provider for the Musculoskeletal Institute at UT Health Austin. She is a board-certified physician assistant and specializes in the evaluation and treatment of lower and upper extremity orthopedic conditions in adults. Additionally, she is a faculty associate for the Dell Medical School Department of Surgery and Perioperative Care.  

After receiving her undergraduate degree in biomedical science from Texas A&M University, Lopez continued her studies and obtained her Master of Public Health. During this time, Lopez’s passion for working with communities that have been historically underserved grew, and after graduation, she supported public health research initiatives in Houston. Enjoying the research aspects involving patients, she decided to return to school and obtained her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Prior to joining UT Health Austin, she worked in neurology and learned how the mind and other health determinants affect physical function. Also interested in surgery, Lopez transitioned to an orthopaedic clinic and served as a first assist in total hip and knee replacements and arthroscopy surgery.

Combining her clinical training with her passion for working with communities that are underserved, Lopez participates in annual orthopaedic surgical mission trips to Guatemala.  As an outdoor enthusiast and active young professional in Austin, she finds great joy in helping others live their life to the fullest.

Past Presidents

Michelle Meystedt  2021-2022

Blaine French 2020-2021

Sarah Arcement 2019-2020

Blaine French 2018-2019

Sarah Arcement 2017-2018

Richard Bottner 2016-2017

Alan Boutwell 1994-1995 Founder

Kara Dinda Hammerding 2001-2003

Michelle Pruett 2004-2005

Amy Sweet 2006-2009

Dustin Fontenote 2010

Andrea Gamse 2011-2012

Sunny Kilmer 2011-2012

Agnieszka Szczepanska 2013-2016

Cassandra Hollifield 2015 - 2017


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