Established in January 2018, The Appalachian Association of Physician Assistants (AppAPA) is a regional chapter of the North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA) including Watauga, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, Caldwell, Alexander, Catawba, and Burke counties in North Carolina. Our goal is to provide support and educational opportunities to physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physician assistant students living and working in the region. Meet our officers below.
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Meet our officers
PRESIDENT
Brian J. Robinson, MS, MPAS, PA-C Brian is an Infectious Disease PA with Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, NC. He graduated in 2013 from UT Health San Antonio with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. He has worked clinically in family medicine, otolaryngology, and infectious disease. He is also a PA educator. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing guitar and spending time in the beautiful outdoors of North Carolina. |
VICE-PRESIDENT
Tripp Kirby, MMS, PA-C Tripp is a hospitalist living in the mountain town of Boone, NC and is a graduate of Wake Forest University's PA Studies. As a hospitalist, he finds his job both challenging and fulfilling, and takes pride in making a difference in the lives of his patients. When not at work, he loves spending time in the great outdoors, hiking and mountain biking on the breathtaking trails of the mountains with his wife. He also enjoys gardening and growing his own vegetables and herbs, while sharing his property with two dogs and a small flock of chickens. |
Treasurer
We are currently seeking a treasurer. If you are interested please contact us using contact tab at the top of this page!
We are currently seeking a treasurer. If you are interested please contact us using contact tab at the top of this page!
SECRETARY
Sarah J. Garvick, MS, MPAS, PA-C Sarah is an Assistant Professor for the Wake Forest School of Medicine, Department of PA Studies on the Boone campus. Her primary responsibilities lie in the didactic year with directorship in pre-clinical courses as well as student assessment. Sarah has leadership in PAEA as an item writer for End of Rotation Exams for Internal and Family Medicine. Additionally, she works clinically at the AppState Student Health Clinic. Sarah’s background is in Orthopedics and Family Medicine. Her passion is around collaborative and life-long learning as well as community engagement. In her free time Sarah enjoys mountain biking and hiking with her dogs. |
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Courtney Jackson, MS, RDN, PA-S Wake Forest PA Studies, Class of 2024 Courtney is a first year PA student studying on the Boone campus of Wake Forest School of Medicine. Her undergraduate degree was in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech and she is thrilled to be back in the mountains after spending the last 4 years between Houston and Charlotte. Courtney worked for the past few years as an inpatient Registered Dietitian in the ICU and step down units where she found her love for medicine. She is excited to soak up as much knowledge as she can these next two years to take back with her to the hospital setting. On her study breaks you can find her exploring all of Boone’s beautiful trails with her dog Stella and hunting for the best coffee in town. |
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE
Gannon N. Millsaps, PA-S Wake Forest PA Studies, Class of 2025 Gannon is a didactic (first) year PA student who attends the Wake Forest PA Studies Program at the Boone campus. He is a native of Alexander County, North Carolina and received his undergraduate degree in History at UNC Wilmington. His clinical experience prior to his medical studies include outpatient nephrology and inpatient psychiatry. Gannon is passionate about Internal Medicine in rural areas and hopes to eventually practice in Nephrology. In his spare time he enjoys reading, playing video games, and being outdoors. |