WHO WE ARE

Bonnie Minton, President

Bonnie, a 2007 graduate of the University of South Alabama PA Program, proudly serves as Director of Clinical Education at her alma mater. She also represents her colleagues as a Senator in the College of Allied Health and contributes to her community as a school board member. Deeply committed to PA advocacy and education, she is pursuing a PhD in Instructional Design & Development. In her free time, Bonnie enjoys singing on her church praise team and traveling with her husband, Mark, and their two children.

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Sharon Pelekanos, President Elect

Sharon Pelekanos, MHS, PA-C, is the Director of Advanced Practice Providers at USA Health System in Mobile, Alabama since June 2022. She previously worked as the Director of Didactic Education (2019-2022) and an Assistant Professor (2016-2022) in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of South Alabama. She has worked clinically as a PA in the Department of Neurosurgery with USA Health since her graduation from the USA PA Studies Program in 2007 (full time 2007-2016; part time 2016-present). She has presented at multiple local, state, and national conferences, including the Alabama Society of Physician Assistants (ASPA) Conference and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Conference. She previously served as a member on the Faculty Development Mission Advancement Council for the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). She has also served as a Board Member at Large with ASPA previously and is excited to serve again.

 

Prior to her studies at USA, she earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Zoology and Secondary Education (with a major concentration in Biology) at Louisiana State University and previously taught high school biology. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters, and two German Shepherds either outside in the garden, by the pool, or glamping.

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​​​Bellamy Davis, Immediate Past President

Bellamy serves as the President of ASPA for 2024-25. She graduated fro UAB in 2017 with her MSPA. She also has a Masters of Public Health. Since graduation, she has been working at Urology Centers of Alabama in Birmingham. Bellamy has previously served as chair of the ASPA program committee.

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Lauren Worley, Vice President

Lauren Worley earned her Physician Assistant Studies Master of Health Science degree from the University of South Alabama. After graduation, she began her career in interventional radiology in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She later moved to New York, where she continued practicing in interventional radiology and expanded her experience into telemedicine. After returning to Alabama, she served as an Assistant Professor in the Faulkner University PA Studies Program. Lauren has since returned to clinical practice and is currently caring for patients in interventional radiology in Montgomery, AL. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her husband, Austin, and their two children.

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​Lora-Emily Banks, Secretary

Lora-Emily Banks serves as the Program Director for the Physician Assistant program at Faulkner University. She is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), and actively involved with the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), serving on the Faculty Development Mission Advancement Commission (MAC). With a background in emergency medicine and academia, Lora-Emily is currently pursuing a Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) degree with a concentration in health professions education.

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In addition to her academic and clinical roles, she is deeply committed to service, balancing roles as an educator, provider, and board member at large with a passion for contributing to the success of students, colleagues, and the PA profession at large. She is married (Sy) with three children, Vivian(9), Henry (7), and Stella (2) and enjoys spending quality time with family.

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Trudie Seirafi, Treasurer

Triudie has been a Physician Assistant for 28 years and is a graduate of UF PA Program. She has previously practiced in Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Breast Surgery, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine. Trudie joined the faculty at Faulkner University in January 2024 as the Director of Clinical Education. She's married to a general surgeon and together they ran a private practice general surgery office for 15 years.

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​​​​​​​​Brian Gronewold, Board Member at Large
Brian Gronewold is serving his first year as a Board Member At-Large with the Alabama Society of Physician Assistants (ASPA). He is a 2021 graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) Physician Assistant Program who has worked in Mobile, AL with the University of South Alabama (USA) Health's orthopedic trauma department since graduation.  He previously worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer for 13 years in various levels of athletic competition and served as an administrator holding the title of Director of Sports Medicine, during the final 2 years of his career.  He has a passion for patient care along with student education about the orthopedic field.

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Kelly Gunn, Board Member at Large

Kelly is a graduate of the University of South Alabama Class of 2021. He has been practicing as a physician assistant in urology in Mobile, AL since September 2021, specializing in men's health and male infertility. Kelly completed his undergraduate degree at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi in 2018. When he's not practicing medicine, Kelly is an avid hunter and fisherman.  His wife is also a practicing physician assistant in pediatrics. When he's not hunting and fishing, he and his wife are raising our baby girl, Ruth.

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​Mark Minton, Board Member at Large

​Mark was born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama. He completed EMT/Paramedic training at Gadsden State Community College and then transferred to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to complete a B.S. in Biology. After completing his nursing degree at Georgia Highlands College, he attended the University of South Alabama PA Program and graduated in 2008. Since that time, Mark has practiced in pediatrics, family medicine, urgent care, and his favorite, emergency medicine. Alongside civilian clinical practice, he has also served in a variety of roles as a PA in the Alabama Army National Guard since 2008 where he has provided medical care and leadership to soldiers across the state and during deployments to Kuwait and the southwest border of the U.S. After completing a DMSc with a concentration in PA Studies from the University of Lynchburg, Mark returned to his alma mater at the University of South Alabama in 2022 as an assistant professor in the Department of PA Studies where his love for mentorship and teaching is shaping the future of the PA profession. He and his wife, Bonnie Minton, have two children, Ruth and Micah. They reside in Mobile where they enjoy all that the Gulf Coast has to offer!

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Katie Morrison, Board Member at Large

​With nearly seven years of experience as a PA in the orthopedic and emergency medicine settings, along with 20 years as an athletic trainer, Katie brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the board member at large role. Her involvement as a student delegate in the AAPA House of Delegates has equipped her with valuable insights, particularly during the historic votes on optimal team practice and the feasibility study for the PA name change. Katie is passionate about advancing the PA profession, ensuring the scope of practice aligns with national standards, and fostering growth in the great state

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Samantha Newbegin-Fraction, Board Member at Large

​Samantha is a 2007 graduate of Shenandoah University's Physician Assistant Program. Since that time, she has practiced Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Urgent Care. She began teaching at the undergraduate level in 2011 and joined didactic faculty at South Alabama in October of 2023. She currently serves as the faculty advisor for the Pre-PA Society at South Alabama. ​​​​