Our LEADERSHIP
Meet our team of experts who help bring ThePAC's mission to life.
ThePAC Leadership
ThePAC Leadership
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physicianassistantsofcolor
Physician Assistants Of Color
co-founders
Founder &
Executive Director
Jasmine Cofield /
MS, PA-C
Jasmine Cofield honorably serves as Executive Director and Founder of ThePAC, one of the fastest-growing nonprofits for minority students, providers, and allies in the PA profession. As Executive Director, Jasmine pushes the organization’s mission forward by ensuring efficiency and implementation of all strategic planning and development. Her key responsibilities are building relationships with partners, marketing, and community outreach. In this role, she connects, strengthens, and builds trust among academic and professional organizations, as well as with students and providers within the organization’s network.
Jasmine is a board-certified Physician Assistant who graduated from University of Detroit-Mercy in Fall 2020. As a PA student, she served as Diversity Chair of her program cohort. Currently, she holds a position as student delegate within AAPA’s House of Delegates.
Senior Director, Planning & Development
Samora Charles / MSPAS, PA-C, MPH
As the Senior Director of Planning and Development, Samora is responsible for working with the senior leadership team to enhance the organization’s capacity to develop, launch, and plan program strategies. Her key responsibilities include establishing goals and milestones for ongoing projects, programs, and events, monitoring their progress toward completion, and ensuring their alignment with the organization’s mission and values. In addition, Samora manages the funding model of the organization, and seeks opportunities and partnerships within the community that will help facilitate its success.
Samora is a board-certified Physician Assistant who received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) from Harding University in Fall 2019. As a non-traditional undergraduate student who faced many academic challenges in her journey to PA-C, Samora utilizes her story of success to inspire and mentor others to achieve their dreams.
Senior Director, Educational Operations
Menerva Lobe /
MPAS, PA-C
As Senior Director of Educational Operations, Menerva brings a problem-solving mindset and innovative consideration to assessing DEI in PA educational settings, which can translate to enhanced educational experiences. In addition to working closely with PA programs, Menerva is passionate about providing support to PA students. Her responsibilities also include developing our ‘PA Student Success Series,’ preparing students for leadership roles, and program initiatives for PA-C career development.
Menerva is a board-certified Physician Assistant who graduated from the University of Utah PA Program in Fall 2020. She is a fervent and dynamic advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in PA education and the PA profession. Having served in the AAPA Student Academy House of Representatives, she authored and championed the passing of SAHR resolution 2019-02 to make the Diversity representative position a required position in all AAPA student societies and served on SAAPA leadership committees.
Board members
Strategic Advisor
to the Board
Andrea Lowe, /
MBA, MHA, PA-C
Andrea Lowe is AAPA’s Director of Employer Strategy and has recently taken on the role to lead their DEI initiatives. She has more than 18 years of experience as an Emergency Medicine PA along with nearly nine years of experience as an administrative leader. She served as VP of Operations and Director of Advanced Practice Clinicians for one of the largest healthcare organizations in Texas. Andrea sits on the Advisory Board of the New York Tri-State Diversity Council and the Executive Board of the Washington Metropolitan Area Chapter of the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE). NAHSE is a nonprofit association of minority healthcare executives whose mission is to promote and develop minority healthcare leaders as well as commit to the quality of health care services delivered to minority and underserved communities.
D'Wayne Jenkins /
PhD
D’Wayne Jenkins is a two-time graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), with a BS in Biological Sciences and an MS in Workforce Education Development. He has a passion for working with first-generation college students, students of color, and Black males. He completed his Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University, with a research emphasis on Black male leadership motivation, leadership efficacy & leadership capacity. He currently works at Michigan State University as a Director for Student Success where he focuses on identity conscious student success outreach. He has spent his career designing and implementing several programs that emphasized support and access to education, specifically for first-generation, low-income students.
Amos Raymond /
MD
Amos Raymond is a well rooted physician in the Memphis community by way of Atlanta & New York where he has shared his love of medicine with his patients and students for the past two decades. With his relationships with many hospital organizations, he has garnered a keen set of skills when caring for the mentally ill and our nation’s veterans. He is currently the assistant director at the VA Medical Center Emergency Department and in the community, he remains active in service participating in various community events and currently on the boards of Hope House Memphis, Project SiSi and Memphis Mental Health Institute. For the past 20 years, he has been married to the love of his life, Chevida, a native Memphian and family law attorney and they are both raising two beautifully energetic daughters, Amarie and Alyssa.
Yolanda Freeman-Hildreth /
PhD, MBA, PA-C
Yolonda Freeman-Hildreth is currently an assistant professor at University of Detroit Mercy PA program. She is chair of their Diversity and Inclusion committee and serves on the AAPA Commission on Research and Strategic Initiatives committee. Prior to teaching, she practiced as a PA for over 16 years, specializing in Internal Medicine. Yolonda is passionate about mentoring others. As an educator, she strives to encourage, inspire, and support her students by creating an inclusive learning environment grounded in collaboration and belonging. She is committed to making a difference by facilitating a learning process that is enjoyable and meaningful. She aspires to promote an atmosphere where curiosity is encouraged while taking into consideration diverse views, backgrounds, and experiences.
Sparkle Jackson /
LNHA, MPA, LBSW
Sparkle Jackson has been a servant for the non-profit industry for over 10 years, serving as a manager for Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelters, Consultant and Grant Writer. She received a Bachelor’s of Social Service and Masters of Public Administration from Central Michigan University. In effort to close marginal service gaps in Long Term Care (LTC), she transitioned to LTC management in 2018. She now serves as a Licensed Administrator for a Skilled Nursing Facility. Prior to serving on the Board of Physician Assistants of Color, Ms. Jackson served on the board of her local Saginaw County Soup Kitchen, and currently serves on the Saginaw County Correction Board as a general member.
