PARSEC Board of Directors

BSc (Hons), BHSc(PA), CCPA

Co-Chair, Virtual Events Committee Chair

Alison is a Family Practice Physician Assistant with 10 years of clinical experience and six years in healthcare education. She holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Guelph and a BHSc (PA) from McMaster University, graduating in 2014. Alison remains actively involved with the McMaster PA program, contributing as a clinical skills instructor, virtual family medicine tutor, preceptor, and Clinical Reasoning Exercise Director. A passionate leader in the PA profession, Alison has contributed to planning and presenting at CAPA conferences and has engaged in advocacy initiatives at both provincial and national levels. Her dedication to fostering learning and networking opportunities, national advocacy, and professional collaboration earned her the 2023 Tom Ashman PA of the Year award.

Within PARSEC, Alison has served on the Board of Directors for several years, co-leading the virtual shadowing program and supporting governance and strategic planning initiatives. She is committed to advancing PA-led research, developing CME resources for PA educators, facilitating mentorship and leadership opportunities, and strengthening professional connections. Alison’s extensive experience and leadership drive her vision for PARSEC’s continued growth and its pivotal role in shaping the future of the PA profession in Canada.

BHSc(Hons), BHScPA, CCPA

Co-Chair, Website & Promotions Committee Chair

Anne is an Orthopaedic Surgery Physician Assistant with over 10 years of clinical experience and a 2011 graduate of the McMaster PA Program. Her dedication to the PA community includes roles as CAPA Vice President, guest instructor, clinical preceptor, and creator of the Canadian PA platform, which connects aspiring and practicing PAs through educational content and online communities.

Recognized as the 2015 Tom Ashman PA of the Year, Anne brings leadership experience and a collaborative approach to advancing PARSEC’s mission. She is passionate about leveraging her background in digital platforms and advocacy to foster connections and support within the PA profession, ensuring long-term success for the organization and its members.

BSc (Hons), BHSc (PA), MSc (HQ), CCPA

Research Committee Chair

Alifiya is a Physician Assistant with over 10 years of diverse clinical experience across multiple specialties and a recent graduate of Queen’s University with a Master of Science in Health Quality. She has a strong commitment to advancing evidence-based practice, improving patient outcomes, and mentoring future PAs. Her leadership and innovation are evident through her quality improvement projects in hospital settings and her recognized research efforts, which include multiple First Place awards for Best Poster Presentation in Original Research at the CAPA conference (2015–2021). Alifiya has also delivered oral presentations at prestigious events like the Canadian Surgery Forum and the QuIPS Conference.

As a clinical skills facilitator with extensive research experience, Alifiya is passionate about fostering a research-driven culture within the PA profession. She aims to lead initiatives that support evidence-based practice, mentorship, and collaborative research efforts. Her vision includes driving impactful workshops, journal clubs, and grant opportunities to help PAs and students advance their research careers, contributing to the growth and development of the profession.

BSc(Hons), BHSc(PA), CCPA

Secretary

Katrina is an experienced Physician Assistant with a background in both Adult and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Graduating from the McMaster PA program in 2018, she has worked in diverse settings across Manitoba and Ontario, providing her with a broader perspective on the PA community in Canada that she aims to share with PARSEC. Katrina is dedicated to supporting the next generation of PAs through roles as a capstone supervisor for MPAS students and clinical preceptor for University of Toronto and McMaster PA students. 

Her interest in research began during her undergraduate studies, where she ambitiously pursued two honours theses in biology and psychology. This led to her role as a clinical research coordinator before entering PA school, where she discovered a deep passion for clinical research. Over the course of her career, Katrina has participated in several research projects, contributing as a PA sub-investigator on clinical trials.

Currently, Katrina serves as the PA lead at CHEO, where she works to create new opportunities for PAs in education and research, and continues to advocate for the vital role PAs play in healthcare and improving mental health services across the country.

BSc, MPAS, CCPA 

PA Educator Committee Chair

Elisa has practiced as a Physician Assistant for over 14 years, graduating from the inaugural MPAS class at the University of Manitoba in 2010. With over a decade of extensive clinical experience as a Thoracic Surgery PA, she has managed acute surgical patients and collaborated on thoracic surgery research and quality improvement projects. Throughout her clinical career, Elisa has contributed to the MPAS program as a Clinical Teacher and Academic Advisor to PA learners. In 2023, Elisa took on the position of Surgery Course Coordinator where she has had the opportunity to focus on education and curriculum development. Elisa currently holds the role of Research & Scholarship Lead for MPAS in the Department of Family Medicine, where she is establishing a foundation for PA-led research and professional scholarship within the program and the broader PA profession. 

Elisa’s vision aligns closely with PARSEC’s mission to promote PA-led research and scholarship nationally. Her background combines hands-on clinical expertise, research leadership, and a passion for education. Elisa is committed to fostering a research-driven culture within the PA profession, leveraging mentorship, professional development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration to amplify the impact of PAs in Canada.

CCPA, MHPE, BSc PA, BSc HK

Director-at-Large

Britton Sprules has over a decade of clinical experience practicing as a Physician Assistant in Primary Care in Thunder Bay. She graduated in 2011 from the Inaugural year of the University of Toronto’s Consortium of PA Education, a joint program with NOSM U and The Michener Institute of Education at UHN. In 2012, she joined NOSM University and currently holds an Assistant Professor appointment, with a focus on clinical education and curriculum development. In 2017, she joined the U of T PA program staff as the Clinical Course Director. While working with second-year PA students, she has overseen clinical placements across Ontario, helped struggling students, taught clinical classes, and helped navigate preceptor concerns. Over the years, she has worked in Plastic Surgery, Occupational Medicine, Urgent Care, and runs an Aesthetics clinic locally. She completed her Master’s in Health Professions Education at Queen’s University and is always looking for new adventures in the PA and academic worlds.

CD, BSc, CCPA

Director-at-Large

Gabriel DeMone grew up all over the BC interior, between Kamloops, Merritt, and Prince George. Shortly after graduating from UNBC, he joined the CAF in 2009 as a Medical Technician. He spent much of his time in uniform in Ontario, serving with 2 Field Ambulance in Petawawa, Montfort Clinic in Ottawa, and the CF Health Services Training Centre in Borden. In 2019, he was accepted on the final course of PAs trained by the CAF. Upon completion in 2022, Gabe was posted to Halifax, where he served on HMCS St Johns.

In 2023, after 14 years of service, he retired from service to take a position working in the Emergency Department at Red Deer Regional Hospital as the first PA in the department. He also serves as the Alternate Director for BC on CAPAs Board of Directors and was actively involved in advocacy efforts to have PAs recognised in the province. He recently began pursuing a Masters of Precision Health through the University of Calgary with a focus on Health Professions Education Leadership and an ultimate goal of integrating this emerging study of Medicine with an emerging medical profession and looks forward to working with PARSEC to realize that goal.

Gabe, his wife Paige, and their 12 year old Cocker Spaniel Leanne, currently live in Penhold and enjoy escaping to the mountains when time permits.