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Jim Carney PA,DFAAPA

 Government Advocacy

  Albany/Hudson Valley PA Prog.

 Contact Jim Here

Jim Carney has once again stepped into the drivers seat at the RIAPA.  For those of you that don't know Jim, he has had a distinguished career first serving our country in the Military then becoming a PA in 1981.  He has spent his professional life serving RI working in Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, Behavioral Health and Cardiac Surgery.  He is one of the reasons that RI is one of the best states to practice in.  When not at home working on the RIAPA you can usually find him at the RI State House advocating for PAs across Rhode Island.

Ray Cord PA-C, DFAAPA

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Northeastern University

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I have been a PA for 25 years starting at MHRI in General Surgery then moving into Cardiac Surgery at the Miriam Hospital.  I also worked in private practice doing Internal Medicine specializing in Nephrology before returning to Cardiac Surgery at RI Hospital.  I've served as President of the RIAPA in the past as well as President for the American Academy of Nephrology PAs.  My goals are to continue to make RI the best state to be a PA as well as a goal of building membership and improving communications for PAs in Rhode Island. 

Emma Banks PA-C

General Surgery

Quinnipiac University

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I have been a practicing PA for three years, currently working in surgery at Memorial Hospital of RI, with experience in general surgery, urology, neurosurgery, and orthopedics.  I was a 2013 graduate of Quinnipiac University's PA program.  I am excited to serve as president of RIAPA this year, after serving as a board member for the past two years.  I am looking forward to an exciting year as RIAPA celebrates their 40th anniversary as an organization.  

Mary Furlong PA-C

Bryant University

Class of 2017

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I graduated Bryant University (Go Bulldogs!) class of 2017. I grew up on Long Island and graduated from Fordham University with a BA in Biology. This past year I served as Bryant's student representative for RIAPA and have thoroughly enjoyed my time participating in government affairs. 

Robert Jay Amrien MPAS, PA-C

Bryant University

Director, PA Program

Robert Jay Amrien brings over 20 years of experience as a physician assistant, Coast Guard medical officer, and emergency medical technician to his role as founding director of Bryant's graduate program in physician assistant studies.

Christopher Ferreira PA-C

Bryant University PA Program Faculty

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences - Boston 

Contact Chris Here

My name is Chris Ferreira – I am a lifelong Rhode Islander and who keeps the best interests of this state, as well as the PA Profession in RI, as top priorities.  I am originally from Providence, RI and now reside in Warwick.  I attended PA school at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (Boston, MA) and graduated in May 2008.  I have practiced in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts in Urgent Care, ENT/Otolaryngology, Emergency Medicine, and now I am full-time faculty at the Bryant University PA Program as the Director of Clinical Education and a Clinical Assistant Professor (while maintaining per-diem clinical work in the ED and outpatient ENT).

Since 2014, I have worked with Jim Carney, PA-C on the RIAPA Advocacy & Government Relations Committee, becoming familiar with (some of the) ins-and-outs of PA legislation and the legislative process in general.  It is absolutely crucial that PAs, as a profession and individually, never cease to participate in the process of defining themselves on the local and national levels.  We are only allowed to practice medicine as PAs because legislatures grant us that ability; this is true for all medical professionals, including the physicians with whom we collaborate so well.  I am honored to work for you to continue to maintain and promote the PA Profession as we all continue to show the public and our legislature the truly excellent patient care we all provide day-in and day-out on healthcare teams across the State of Rhode Island.

Danielle Robbins PA-C

St. Joseph Health Center

University of New England

Contact Danielle Here

Currently, I'm practicing at St. Joseph Health Center in the Pediatric Clinic in Providence.  I have experience in primary care, emergency medicine, and occupation medicine.  I graduated from University of New England in 2004. I look forward to working with RIAPA to keep the forward progress of this profession.

Jennifer Geremia, PA-C

Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates

Mass College of Pharmacy, NH

I am a Rhode Island native and have been practicing in RI for over 10 years after graduating from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Manchester, NH. I am currently practicing in Gastroenterology with Gastrointestinal Medicine Associates.  In addition to spending my time in private practice I lecture and serve as a Preceptor for UNE and MCPHS PA programs.  I am excited to have this opportunity to be a member of the RIAPA BOD and look forward to further building upon the great work the academy has done for RI PAs and further advance our profession.

Nicholas Vitale PA-S

Bryant University

Class of 2018

My name is Nick, and I’m a first year PA student at Bryant University. I’m originally from Lawrence, MA, and I lived in MA my whole life before moving to Johnston, RI to come to Bryant. I graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2013 with a B.S. in Molecular Biology, and worked for two years as a Nurse’s Aide and as an ER Tech. I’m excited to be joining the ranks of Physician Assistants in Rhode Island, and I am excited to be my class’s student representative at RIAPA. I’ve enjoyed learning about the multitudes of ways RIAPA serves our profession, especially in the state house in Providence.  

Ethan Walsh PA-S

Johnson & Wales University

Class of 201

Contact Ethan Here

Ethan is a first year PA student at Johnson & Wales University.  He graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2015 where he earned bachelor’s degrees in Kinesiology and Biology.  Prior to PA school Ethan worked as an EMT and his interests include critical care and oncology.  As the alternate RIAPA representative for Johnson & Wales, Ethan hopes to learn how to advocate for the PA community and help advance the profession.