Candidate for Director at Large & Representative to AAPA House of Delegates
Endorsed by the Nomination & Elections Committee
Biography
Ana Eliza (she/her/hers) was born in São Paulo, Brazil and raised in Maine. She graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology focused in pre-medical studies and as salutatorian of her class. During her time at the University of Maine, Ana Eliza volunteered with several philanthropic societies: Operation H.E.A.R.T.S. and Medical Outreach Maine, where she became passionate about expanding medical care through medical teaching opportunities.
She moved to Connecticut to begin her PA education, earning her Master of Medical Science degree from Yale School of Medicine’s Physician Associate Program. As a graduate student, Ana Eliza engaged with her community by volunteering at the student-run HAVEN clinic, which provides care for individuals without insurance and who are ineligible for Medicaid. Additionally, she volunteered for the Neighborhood Health Project (NHP) where she provided glucose and blood pressure screenings for people without housing. She now practices dermatology in Stamford.
Ana Eliza feels passionately about expanding medical access to those with limited resources and continues to dedicate her efforts through advocacy. As previous Student Academy Representative of Yale’s J. Cole Society and as a two-term AAPA Student House Delegate, she has written, reviewed, and advocated for policy that enhances patient care while promoting inclusivity within the PA profession.
As a PAEA Student Health Policy (SHP) Fellow and as a member on AAPA’s Advocacy and Policy Committee, Ana Eliza developed a strong passion for grassroots advocacy. She believes that the future of the PA profession is dependent on early student engagement. As a result, she led several educational initiatives to promote student involvement in advocacy. Her efforts have been recognized by her alma mater as recipient of Yale Leadership’s Award and by ConnAPA through Connecticut’s PA Student of the Year Award.
When not advocating or practicing medicine, Ana Eliza enjoys exploring local coffee spots, hiking, weightlifting, traveling, and reading.
Platform Statement
My past experiences as a Student House Delegate and Reference Committee Member have equipped me with invaluable leadership and teamwork skills that directly align with the responsibilities and mission as an AAPA delegate representing ConnAPA. In previous years, I collaborated with other house delegates on a resolution advocating for AAPA’s stance on blood donation eligibility amid evolving circumstances, including the FDA’s policy review post COVID-19; demonstrating flexibility and awareness of healthcare dynamics, while fostering a team environment.
While challenges arose, including mixed feelings from delegate groups about the integration of our resolution into a broader policy framework via a taskforce, I facilitated consensus-building conversations among delegate groups to prioritize our profession’s interests over personal preferences. Specifically, I emphasized our collective goal of promoting evidence-based blood donation practices and that despite the policy being adopted as a blended resolution, its adoption at that time was a more meaningful victory for the patient populations we are looking to serve. Additionally, I have also authored and collaborated on other language that has been adopted into AAPA policy, such as language on religious inclusivity.
As a PA Advocate, Director-at-Large, and Co-chair of the Health, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, Membership Committee and Charter Oak Conference Committee, I remain committed to prioritizing the needs of those we serve. My experience underscores the importance of collaborative leadership in advancing the AAPA’s mission and advocating for policies that enhance patient care while promoting inclusivity within the PA profession. I look forward to continuing this mission as I continue my term as DAL and as a Connecticut AAPA delegate.