Rob Beatty, MD FACEP

Founder

Dr. Beatty earned his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine.   He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.   Dr. Beatty has extensive experience as a clinician, medical leader, department chairman, medical director, regional medical director, and Chief Medical Officer.   In addition to his clinical and administrative roles, Dr. Beatty is a regular speaker at several national conferences and is an active expert medical witness. He is an avid teacher, and regularly supervises Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, and fellow physicians.   He has served as a physician mentor to his medical staff, and as a member of hospital credentialing, medical executive and peer review committees.   Having extensively recruited, interviewed, hired, and reviewed countless numbers of healthcare providers, his expertise in team building, recruitment, and the hiring process allows us to deliver the message of our programs in a way that other courses can’t match.   In addition, having established an Advanced Practice Provider residency program in multiple hospitals, Dr. Beatty understands the key concepts needed to prepare Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants for their transition to independent clinical practice.  Dr. Beatty works as a full time emergency physician and medical director, and is a valuable resource to our program!

Rachel Beatty, MSN, FNP-BC, AG-ACNP-BC

Founder

Mrs. Beatty received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Adventist University in Orlando, Florida.  She Earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama, graduating in the top 10% of her class.   She is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and has an extensive background in clinical nursing education.   She has earned dual board certification as a family nurse practitioner and an adult/geriatric acute care nurse practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).   As a former nurse in emergency medicine, she earned her certification as an emergency nurse (CEN), and has successfully transitioned her broad-based clinical knowledge to the private practice setting as a family practice nurse practitioner and an urgent care nurse practitioner.   With experience in both the outpatient and acute care settings, She educates nurse practitioners and physician assistants about current topics in clinical management and the expectations of modern care delivery.  Rachel oversees all of the day-to-day operations of Provider Practice Essentials, and her clinical knowledge, experience, and teamwork allow for full collaboration of our teaching faculty to maximize your educational experience and provide engaging clinical topics for your practice!

Ali Farzad, MD, FAAEM

Faculty

Dr. Farzad is an emergency physician with a great interest in cardiovascular emergencies and electrocardiography. He trained in emergency medicine at the University of Maryland Medical Center, where he also completed a cardiovascular emergencies fellowship under the mentorship of Dr. Amal Mattu. He currently works clinically at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, serving as an Assistant ED Medical Director and Observation Unit Medical Director.  Dr. Farzad is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M College of Medicine.

Paul Banerjee, DO, FACOEP

Faculty

Dr. Banerjee received his Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a minors in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.  He earned his Medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Banerjee completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine and is board certified.  He has been practicing for over 20 years, and has served as a regional medical director and site medical director of several community Emergency Departments.  He currently serves on Faculty with the University of Central Florida, and is a clinical professor of Emergency Medicine.  In addition, he is the EMS medical director for Polk County Fire and Rescue.

Kevin Freels, MD

Faculty

Dr. Freels earned his medical degree from Saint Eustatius School of Medicine. He is an emergency medicine physician that graduated from an emergency medicine fellowship at Oklahoma State University. He also completed his residency in family medicine with an emphasis in emergency medicine from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was assistant chief resident. Dr. Freels received extensive training in ultrasound during his fellowship and residency training. He is currently a medical director in a growing emergency department and has interest in providing up-to-date, evidence based medicine. He has also previously worked/volunteered as a physician mentor, medical outreach programs and tutored for the USMLE boards.

David Harbour, DO

Faculty

Dr. Harbour earned his medical degree from NOVA-Southeastern University and has practiced emergency medicine and urgent care for over 19 years.  He is the owner of multiple urgent care centers and is an expert in practice management, provider development, billing, and coding.  He serves as an assistant professor at NOVA-Southeastern University, the Univerity of Central Florida College of Medicine, and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Rory Hession, MD

Faculty

Dr. Hession received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from The University of Hawaii at Hilo.  He earned a Master Degree in Molecular Biology, followed by a Doctorate of Medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.  He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from the Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, Florida.  He has been practicing for over 14 years in both Community and 

Chris Hill, DO, FAAEM

Faculty

Dr. Hill received his Medical degree from NOVA-Southeastern University (NSU).  He completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine and is board certified.  He continues to practice emergency medicine, as he has done for over 19 years.  He has served as an assistant clinical professor of Emergency Medicine with NSU, co-owner of an urgent care center, medical director, EMS educator, and urgent care physician.

Camilo Mohar, DO

Faculty

Dr. Mohar obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology at Florida International University. He went on to acquire his Doctorate’s degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. After completing emergency medicine training at University Hospitals in Ohio, he is now an emergency department attending at AdventHealth Orlando, Florida. Dr. Mohar enjoys teaching and has extensive experience working with different providers both at bedside and in conference. His special interests within emergency medicine include critical care.

Neil Pothraj, MD

Faculty

Dr. Pothraj attended the Drexel University College of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center.  He currently works as an attending physician at Washington Hospital Center and lives locally in Washington, DC.

Daryl Reese, MD

Faculty

Dr. Reese is a board-certified Emergency Physician from Rochester, NY.  He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  Dr. Reese finished a Post-Baccalaureate program at the historical Howard University and matriculated into Howard University’s College of Medicine.  He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Emory University School of Medicine.  After residency, Dr. Reese moved to Dallas, where he has been practicing for over 15 years.  He has served on various medical advisory committees and has been a partner in emergency medicine and urgent care groups.  Currently, he is the Medical Director for Breio Health Center, and occupational medicine clinic.

Trent Stephenson, DO

Faculty

Dr. Stephenson completed his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and went on to earn his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Kansas City University. He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at UTSW in Dallas, Texas and now has over 12 years of experience. He currently works as an emergency physician in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. When he is not working, he is pumping iron, telling dad jokes and spending time with his wife and two children.

Neal Zeigler, MD FACEP

Faculty

Dr. Zeigler, MD, FACEP, grew up in suburban Chicago and attended college at University of Illinois and Xavier University of Louisiana. He earned his medical degree at Chicago Medical School, and completed his residency at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where he was honored as Emergency Medicine Resident of the Year in 2005. He has been practicing emergency medicine in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 2005. He has been a leader in multiple busy emergency departments, including roles as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director. He also is a founding member of MPACT For Mankind, which is a nonprofit that provides health services and resources to communities both locally and abroad.  

His personal interests and activities include golfing, traveling, spending time with his family (and puppies), and actively participating in his fraternity (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.)

Adrienne Caiado, MD

Faculty

Hi! My name is Adrienne Caiado and I am an Emergency Physician currently working at Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, MD. I am originally from Cape Cod, Massachusetts. I studied Behavioral Neuroscience at Northeastern University in Boston before deciding I wanted to pursue medicine. I moved to Hershey, Pennsylvania (yes, it really does small like chocolate on certain days of the week) in 2015 to attend Penn State College of Medicine. From there, I completed by residency in Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University and Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC. I graduated as chief resident in my final year. In my free time I love cheering on Boston Sports teams, taking my dog Denny on long walks along the Potomac River, skiing wherever we can with my husband, and sailing in warmer weather.

Sandi Thomas, DO

Faculty

Dr. Thomas earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biochemistry from Boston University.  She earned her medical degree from the NSU college of medicine.  She has completed her residency training in Emergency Medicine and is board certified.  She has been practicing as an emergency physician for over 15 years in both community and academic settings.

Bunnany Pekar, PhD, CRNA, AGACNP-BC

Faculty

Bunnany (Nany) Pekar has extensive experience in healthcare. She began her career as a Registered Respiratory Therapist at the Childrens Hospital Los Angeles after graduating with her BS from The Ohio State University.  She went on to earn her BSN, MSN, Post Master’s Certification, and a Doctorate of Philosophy from the University of Cincinnati.  She currently practices as both a CRNA (9 years) and an NP Intensivist (2 years) in Dallas, Texas.  She is board certified by the American Association of Nurses Anesthetists and the American Nurse Credentialing Center.  In addition to clinical practice, she is involved in multiple researches and serves as clinical instructor for nurse anesthetist residents. She is passionate on advancing the education of colleagues, reducing healthcare waste, and extending healthcare stewardship across the US and the world.

Russell Wilson, PA-C

Faculty

Russell Wilson began his medical career as an EMT in 1994 and finished his Paramedic licensure in 1997 while attending Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. He graduated from ASU in 1997 with his Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology. Afterward, he continued working part-time as a Paramedic while obtaining his Master’s Degree in Sports Health from Texas Tech University in 2000. Russell worked for several years as an athletic trainer, serving high schools throughout Texas along with Division III and Division II collegiate athletic programs. In 2010, he graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine Physician Assistant program.  Prior to PA school, he worked as a Paramedic throughout various locations in Texas and in the Gulf of Mexico onboard an offshore oil-drilling rig. As a PA-C, he has worked in an outpatient VA clinic, urgent care facilities, a general orthopedic clinic, a level I hospital trauma service, and a physical medicine & rehab clinic. He is also part of the ancillary staff for the USA Taekwondo Olympic teams. He is a certified Physician Assistant, certified Athletic Trainer, and continues to maintain his Paramedic license. He is a retired Firefighter/Captain from the Runaway Bay Volunteer Fire Department. 

Melissa Cody, ARNP

Faculty

Melissa has been practicing as an Acute Care NP since 2010 after graduating from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI.  She has extensive experience in cardiothoracic surgery, advanced heart failure management and general ICU patient management.  She is currently practicing as an ICU nocturnist and is the Coordinator of the Critical Care Advanced Practitioner Program.  In her spare time, she enjoys competing in Triathlons and spending time with her family.

Morgan Bestenlehner, PA-C

Faculty

Morgan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology-Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She then advanced her skills by obtaining a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Illinois State University. After a few years of caring for injured athletes of all levels, she pursued her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Elon University in North Carolina. Since graduating Elon, she has been working in the Emergency Department at Medstar Washington Hospital Center. She spends her free time traveling, trying new restaurants, spending time with friends and family, and watching sports (Go Badgers)!

Melanie Jones, PA-C

Faculty

Melanie has previously worked in Neurological Surgery and Orthopedic Spine, with a specialty in complex spine and deformity cases.  She currently continues to work in surgical specialities as a first assist, and also practices interventional pain management and urgent care.  In her spare time, Melanie loves spending time with her daughter, reading and learning new hobbies such as photography, acoustic guitar, and most recently, cycling.

Marsena Collins, FNP-C, ENP-C

Faculty

Marsena earned her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2006. She completed her Master of Science Nurse Practitioner in 2012. She has a Dual Certification as a Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She is currently the Lead Advanced Provider in the Emergency Room at a community hospital in Dallas, Texas. In her spare time she’s quite the foodie and loves enjoying every aspect of life with her spouse and toddler.

Lindsay Portz, PA-C

Faculty

Lindsay Portz, is a physician assistant and practices in orthopedic surgery. She attended LSU for undergraduate studies, and attended Nova Southeastern University in Jacksonville, FL for her master’s as a physician assistant. Lindsay enjoys running, playing tennis, and group workout classes.

Kristina Reardon, MSN, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC

Faculty

Ms. Reardon has been a neurosurgical nurse practitioner since 2009. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing degrees at University of Pennsylvania. She is certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and Adult Geriatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is an avid runner and is on a journey to run a marathon in each state.

Vanessa Rogers, MSN, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC

Instructor

Vanessa graduated from University of Texas at El Paso with a Masters Degree in Adult Gerontology Acute Care. She works in the ICU locally in Dallas, Texas.  In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.  An avid learner, Vanessa enjoys sharing her skills with others who are interested in medical education.

Chris Mascio, PA-C

Faculty

Chris has been a physician assistant for over 11 years.  He has worked in Neurosurgery for his entire career, while also working shifts in an emergency department since 2016.  He is an expert in suturing, wound closure, and neurosurgical injuries including spinal fractures.  He is happily married and the proud father of 4 children.

Laura Hanna, PA-C

Faculty

Laura Hanna is a Physician Assistant with more than 20 years of experience as an emergency room consultant. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Baylor College of Medicine. She began her career in a large private practice orthopedic group before transitioning to the plastics and craniofacial surgery service at a Level I Trauma Center in Dallas, TX. Laura has served as a mentor for APP students and enjoys lecturing at local and national conventions. She is passionate about providing practical, evidence-based medicine. To that effort, she has completed TCU’s evidence-based research fellowship, along with her current Master’s studies at University of Oklahoma Law with a focus in Healthcare Law. She spends her off time hanging out with her kids, fishing, and listening to live music.

Scott Biggs, PA-C

Team Leader, Orlando Faculty

Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from James Madison University.  He completed his Master of Science degree in Clinical Medical Science and Physician Assistant Studies at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida.  He is board certified.  He currently serves as the lead PA in a community emergency department that sees over 45,000 patients per year.  In addition to his extensive experience in emergency medicine, he has worked as a member of a large transplant team and also clinically in both interventional radiology and vascular surgery.  Scott has been practicing emergency medicine for over 11 years.

Brandon Geer, APRN

Faculty

Brandon Geer is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner working primarily in urgent care and emergency medicine. He has a masters degree in both Public Health and Nursing, and is currently working on his Doctorate of Nursing practice. He has previously worked as a nurse in Emergency, Intensive Care, and Flight Nursing. Brandon has a passion for education, and thus teaches as an adjunct professor of nursing while also teaching ACLS, BLS, PALS, and Point of Care Ultrasound. He also volunteers as a Firefighter and EMT. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his Wife and animal family, and is currently training for an Ironman Triathlon.

Rich Greene, EMPA-C

Faculty

Rich earned a Bachelor of Science from the US Air Force Academy prior to completing a 23 year career in the military. During this time, he attended the military’s Intraservice Physician Assistant Program where he received a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Physician Assistant Studies from University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is board certified and has worked in emergency medicine for the last 10 years obtaining additional specialty certifications in Emergency Medicine from NCCPA, ultrasound, trauma, and critical care.  Rich has worked in emergency medicine in settings spanning from Level I trauma centers to community regional hospitals. His teaching experience includes training combat medics in pre-hospital and trauma care and as an adjunct clinical instructor for Campbell University, teaching clinical skills to Physician Assistant, medical students, and residents.  He currently works in a community emergency department that sees approximately 45,000 patients per year.

Ian Johnson, PA-C

Faculty

Ian Johnson PA-C holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Central Florida and graduated with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from DeSales University. A Florida native, he currently practices in Brevard County. He has precepted dozens of PA’s in their emergency medicine rotations, and is excited to combine his passion for emergency medicine and education at PPE.

Lucas Marlatt, ARNP

Faculty

Luke earned his Masters of Science degree in Advanced Practice Nursing (FNP) from the University of Florida and is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  He has experience as an Emergency Department nurse and nurse practitioner, and is currently in his 8th year of clinical practice.  In addition to his clinical duties, he enjoys teaching nursing and APP students.

Ivan Mustafa, APRN

Faculty

Ivan is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Emergency Medicine. He has worked in and led Emergency Services since 1985 where he started in the fire service and worked through the ranks to EMS Chief of two different fire agencies. He serves in a number of committees throughout Florida and is a consultant for the Florida Department of Health. He has been a registered nurse since 1996 and an APRN since 2003.  He holds instructor certifications in ACLS, PALS and holds a State of Florida Instructor III certification, among others. Ivan is a  speaker in a variety of conferences and seminars and actively teaches continuing education programs throughout the country and internationally. He remains involved in a number of Fire and EMS projects and provides consultation services to agencies in the areas of Fire Services, EMS, accreditation and professional development.  Ivan and his wife have been involved with pet rescue and fostering since 2010 and have fostered and adopted out hundreds of dogs.

John Rothwell, III DNP, ARNP

Faculty

Dr. Rothwell earned his Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Masters of Science degree in Advanced Practice Nursing (FNP), and Bachelor degree in Nursing Science from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida.  He is board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.  Previously, Dr. Rothwell served in the US Army as a combat and flight medic and provided emergent medical services and training to medical and non-medical personnel.  He has a Critical Care and Emergency Medicine background and is currently a faculty member of the University of Central Florida.  He has worked in community emergency department and urgent care centers for several years.

Josh Nowocin, PA-C

Faculty

Joshua earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Virginia as well as a Master of Education degree in Exercise Physiology.  He completed his Physician Assistant Studies at Jefferson College of Health Science, now Radford University Carilion in Roanoke, Virginia.  He is board certified and currently serves as the lead PA in the General Surgery department at the Salem Veterans Medical Center in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to his extensive experience in general surgery, he continues to work in a part-time basis in the emergency department.  Prior to PA school, he worked as a member of an organ and tissue donation transplant team with the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium (WRTC).  Josh has been practicing medicine since 2007.

Amy Patel, PA-C

Faculty

Amy double majored in Biology and Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at LMU – Debusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has been working as an emergency medicine PA since 2012 serving multiple states including the Carolinas, Texas, and now in Washington, DC at at Medstar Washington Hospital Center. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

Kathryn Rodgers, PA-C

Faculty

Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.  She completed her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Lake Erie College in Ohio.  She has worked in primary care and geriatric settings, and currently works in a busy Emergency Department in Washington, DC, where she currently lives.  She is originally from the Washington DC/Northern Virginia metropolitan area and enjoys hiking, traveling, wineries, and spending her time with friends and family.

Payal Shah, PA-C

Faculty

Payal received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Florida. She then proceeded to attend Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL and completed her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. While on rotations, she realized she wanted to practice Emergency Medicine and moved to Illinois after she graduated to work as an ER PA-C at a level II trauma center for over 2 years. She has also worked as a locums provider at other emergency departments. She has now accepted a position to move to DC to work as a physician assistant at Medstar Washington Hospital Center’s Emergency Department.

Sara Thompson, PA-C

Faculty

Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and then completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at University of Nebraska Medical Center. She started her career in orthopedic surgery in 2011. In 2012 she started in Emergency Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska – a specialty she continued to practice full time until 2022. She then transitioned to Orthopedic Surgery full time where she specializes in total joint replacement and works as a first assist in the operating room. She continues to work part time in Emergency Medicine.

Virginia Tran, PA-C

Faculty

Virginia earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience from George Mason University and completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Philadelphia University, now Thomas Jefferson University. In 2015, she began her career in Emergency Medicine at a Level I Trauma Center in Washington, D.C. Since then, she has transitioned to Orthopedic Surgery specializing in spine and total joints where she now works full-time and part time in Emergency Medicine and Urgent Care. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, traveling, eating new foods, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Kelsey Bates, APRN, FNP-C

Contributor

Kelsey earned her Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Texas Woman’s University in 2017.  She earned her ASN from Collin College in 2013 and her Bachelor of Science Nursing from Texas Tech Univerity in 2014.  She is certified by the AANP.  Kelsey works in physical medicine focusing on musculoskeletal and neurological conditions.  She also helps patients manage and control various chronic cardio metabolic diseases.  Her passion as an NP is to help patients function act their highest level possible.  Kelsey lives in Farmersville, TX with her husband and two dogs.  In her spare time, she loves to be outdoors, exercise, travel, and spend time with her family and friends.

Lindee Abe, APRN, FNP-C, ENP-C

Contributor

Lindee earned her Associate of Science Health Science Laboratory Technology from George Washington University in 2006. She earned a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science in Nursing from the College of Saint Mary in 2009 and 2011, respectively. She was awarded her Post Masters Certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Clarkson College in 2015. She is dual certified as a Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She serves as the Nebraska state representative for the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. She has worked as a contractor for the VA, urgent care, and emergency medicine. She has served in the Army Reserves for 19 years in varying capacities, including lab tech, emergency room nurse, case manager, and nurse practitioner.