Michelle Reid is originally from Killeen, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and graduate degree in Human Resource Management from Tarleton State University. She then attended UTRGV Physician Assistant Studies Program graduating in 2015. She immediately began working at Valley Baptist Medical Center in the  Department or Surgery  and in 2018 joined UTRGV School of Medicine and UT Health RGV. Shortly after she was awarded the Figs New Icon Grant for her commitment, resilience, and contributions to healthcare in the community.  Michelle is a PA preceptor for the UTRGV PA program and is an active member of The American Academy of Physician Assistants, The Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, and holds the position as President Elect in the UTRGV Physician Assistant Society.

Benito Lopez is a Doctoral-level board-certified Physician Associate who practices in Endocrinology, has board-certified specializations in advanced diabetes management from ADCES, and is an advanced obesity management provider from the OMA. Benito is also an Advance Fracture Liaison Service Ambassador, where he emphasizes the importance of appropriate patient assessment, treatment initiation, medical follow-up, and care coordination for bone disorders. A preceptor for multiple institutions around Texas. He works at the Valley Diabetes and Endocrinology Comprehensive Center in Edinburg, Texas. Focused on the development and evolution of our profession, Dr. Benny has been involved in regional and State level organizations, previously Chair of the Membership committee of the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants Organization and, historically, Secretary of the RGVPAS. 

Daniela Garza is a native of the Rio Grande Valley and she graduated from the University of Texas Pan America with her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then completed her Masters degree in Physician Assistant studies from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and in 2021 completed her Doctorate in Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg. While her first job out of school was at a busy, local orthopedic surgery practice, she left the practice to join her passion to serve her community – especially the underserved and joined the UT Health RGV’s Unimovil clinic. With the Unimovil she created a medical home for 13 colonias that spanned across the entire Rio Grande Valley. After her time at UT Health, she made the transition to rheumatology where she worked for 1 year learning from one of the top rheumatologists in the RGV. Now she is the lead provider and administrator at Valley Med Urgent Care- McAllen location. Daniela applies her passion for the PA profession by being a proud member of the PA board which she has served on for 3 years. 

Cassandra Whetstone, a Rio Grande Valley native, earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of North Texas and her Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. With a background in emergency medicine, acute care surgery and trauma surgery, she returned home in 2021 to work in trauma services. She recently took a position as a Clinical Assistant Professor for the Physician Assistant Department at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.  She has been a member of multiple PA organizations, including AAPA, TAPA and the RGV PA Society. Outside of work, Cassandra enjoys spending time with her husband, Addison, and their two children Anna and Grant.  

Drew has been a PA for nearly 8 years, and in all of that time, he has been right here in the Valley working in primary care in a community health center. He is proud of the work that PAs do and wants the Valley to share that pride. He has been a proud member of RGVPAS since 2018 and looks forward to serving the organization as treasurer. In addition to medicine, he is very interested in personal and corporate finance.

Patricia is a Physician Assistant HIV and PrEP specialist at a nonprofit organization, since 2018. Before she spent 2 years working as a Psychiatry Physician Assistant. She has experience in management, one of her previous work was as a manager of the safe and health department as part of occupational medicine and human resources for an international maquiladora in Matamoros Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Patricia is a Rio Grande Valley native, but studied abroad. Patricia completed her medical degree (MD) from Universidad de Monterrey(UDEM) in San Pedro Garza Garcia N.L Mexico. She also earned her master degree of Physician Assistant studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).

She is active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants(AAPA), she also is a founding member of the Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant’s Society, member of The

international AIDS society (IAS) and the American Academy of HIV medicine(AAHIVM), she is a HIV Prevention Certified Provider (HIV PCP), working on getting her HIV specialty. She is an advocate for the U=U movement. In her Free time enjoy reading, dancing, power walking, spend time with her beloved family and is an otaku and vivid soccer fan.

Angelina Reyna specializes in Value Based Care. Currently serving as the Market Lead APC for the Practice Support Unit at WellMed, Angelina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role.

Angelina earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from UTPA in May 2010, followed by a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from UTRGV in December 2015 and Doctor of Medical Science in Administrative Medicine in October 2024.

Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and holding a Primary Care Obesity Management certification, Angelina is committed to providing comprehensive and effective patient care.

As an active member of professional organizations, Angelina is involved with the Texas Association of Physician Assistants (TAPA), the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), and serves as a Member at Large for the Rio Grande Valley Physician Assistant Society.

Mayra O. Martínez, DScPAs, MS, MPAS, PA-C attended the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) where she received a Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Biology and Math with a minor in Chemistry. She then received a Master’s of Science in Mathematical Sciences and a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She continued her studies and received a Doctorate of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacology and Health Sciences (MCPHS). Her dissertation was focused on pediatric obesity in the Rio Grande Valley. She also has a background in teaching and taught at the Mathematics department at UTRGV as well as high school science. She has been practicing medicine with a focus on rural medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. She was the first elected President-Elect of the Rio Grande Valley PA Society. She is also a part of several committees of TAPA and a member of AAPA.

Dr. Daniel Tamez, Sc.D., MPAS, PA-C, CWS, FACHE is Executive Vice-President at DHR Health System and Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at UTRGV School of Medicine. Dr. Tamez has over 15+ years of combined direct clinical services and healthcare leadership  experience. Dr. Tamez is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Board Certified Wound Specialist & Board Certified in  Palliative/Hospice Palliative Medicine. 

 In 2020, Dr. Tamez, was appointed to the Texas Health and Human Service Executive Counsel in Healthcare Policy by Governor Greg Abbot  and Health and Human Services Commissar Cecil Young. 

Dr. Tamez is a valley nativeandbegan his career at the University of Texas Pan American with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry,  He proceeded with his higher education at Texas A&M University with a Master in Public Health, along with a Master’s degree in Physician  Assistants Studies at University of Texas Pan American. 

Dr. Tamez, received his Doctorate from A.T. Still University School of Medicine and completed his post graduate training in Internal Medicine/Hospice and Palliative Care from Harvard Medical School in Cambridge Massachusetts.