SDSPA Board Members
SDSPA Board Members 2023
- President - Anita Lazar, PA-C
- Vice President - Armin Ronaghy, PA-C
Armin is a nationally certified Physician Assistant and is licensed to practice in California. Armin graduated from Pacific University School of Physician Assistant Studies in Oregon in 2022 where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. In 2017, he graduated from San Diego State University with his Bachelor’s in public health.
Armin is employed with Rady Children’s Hospital in their pediatric dermatology department. He was born and raised in San Diego and enjoys spending time with his family as well as playing sports on the weekends
- Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Mark is nationally certified and state licensed as a Physician Assistant. Mark graduated from the University of California, Davis Medical School/Physician Assistant Program in 2002 after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1995.
Mark is employed with Scripps Coastal Medical Group in Solana Beach and specializes in family medicine.
Mark holds membership in the American Academy of Physician Assistants as well as the California Academy of Physician Assistants. Mark is active in the San Diego Physician Assistant Society and regularly trains physician assistant and nurse practitioner students.
Mark was born and raised in Southern California. He enjoys sports and spending time with his young family.
- Student Liaison - Yasamine Pahlevanlou, PA-C
Yasamine is a Physician Assistant specializing in Psychiatry at a residential facility for women with eating disorders in Carlsbad, CA. She has a background in Addiction Medicine working with patients with substance use disorders prior to her current position, and has presented on incorporating Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in residential behavioral health settings at statewide conferences. Yasamine received her Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Dubuque. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Prior to becoming a PA, Yasamine worked as a Physical Therapist Aide and a Medical Assistant in urgent care.
Born and raised in Southern California, Yasamine loves spending her free time outdoors in the sun, and trying new restaurants and recipes.
- Secretary - Scott Barker PA-C
Scott Barker is a Physician Assistant specializing in the field of Orthopedic Surgery. He is a member of Orthopedic Specialists of San Diego. He has spent numerous years as an orthopedic surgical P.A..
Scott Barker attended Stanford University in Palo Alto California to complete his Physician Assistant training.
Prior to becoming a PA, Scott was a Respiratory Therapist and was employed at Rady Children's hospital in San Diego.
Please email at info@sdpasociety.com if you are interested in volunteering.
Past Presidents
Timothy O'Neil, PA
A physician assistant, Timothy O’Neil, PA, provides comprehensive primary care services, focusing on preventive medicine. Timothy has expertise in chronic disease management. He believes each patient is the most important member of their health care team, and he enjoys giving them the tools and support they need to succeed in that role.
When not seeing patients, he enjoys beekeeping, soccer, cycling, photography, woodworking and playing the banjo.
Emily Mangano, PA-C
Emily Mangano is Physician Assistant practicing in Women's Health in Downtown San Diego, as well as part time in Urgent Care in North County. She graduated with a Masters Degree in PA Studies from the Touro College Physician Assistant Program in New York in 2014. Originally from New Jersey, she graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Biological Sciences degree in 2012. She also worked there as a Medical Assistant in Pediatrics for 3 years and was a certified EMT. She is a member of CAPA and AAPA as well.
Working at a state funded clinic and with lower income patients, she is committed to finding the best possible solutions for patients as well as patient advocacy. Emily is devoted to advancing the Physician Assistant profession in San Diego through continuous learning and networking.
Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Mercedes Dodge is a practicing Physician Assistant in Family Medicine in Encinitas, California. She completed her Physician Assistant studies at the University of California Davis Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant Program.
She is a member of California Academy of Physician Assistants and American Academy of Physician Assistants. She served on the CAPA Board from 2007 to 2010, first as Student Representative and then lastly as Committee of Diversity Chair. She has been a member of the San Diego Society of Physician Assistants since her move to San Diego in 2008.
She enjoys hiking, running and spending time with her two young boys.
Bernard Casillan, MS, PA-C
Bernard Casillan, a graduate from Western University, has been practicing since 2003. He currently runs a family practice in City Heights and works part-time in Urgent Care and as a sub-contractor screening pre and post-deployment Veterans for medical readiness and PTSD. Bernard’s main focus is serving the low-income high needs community. He believes in fostering unique relationships with each individual patient based on distinctive needs. Moreover, he believes in finding innovative and effective ways to make a big difference in treatment and medication compliance. As a Native San Diegan, he believes in community building. He is Team Captain for Breast in the West, a group that advocates for Breast Cancer Awareness through the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Since 1993 he has been a facilitator for Project Heart to Heart a group that fosters communication and relationship building between first generation American high school students with their immigrant parents. He enjoys martial arts, obstacle races, San Diego sports, and spending time with Family
Robin V. Caballa, MS, PA-C
Robin Caballa graduated from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California and completed a Surgery Physician Assistant Residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in San Bernardino County, California. She worked in private practice in Dermatology in Laguna Hills, California prior to working in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.
Currently, she works in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as the C.A.R.E. Program (Comprehensive Advanced Restorative Effort), a subdivision of the C5 Department (Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care) at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.
The C.A.R.E. Program is a multidisciplinary team (Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Otolaryngology, and Oculoplastics) that focuses on advancing the aesthetic, functional, and emotional recovery of traumatically injured service members and their dependents.
Robin was born and raised in San Diego and is committed to supporting the Physician Assistant profession in the San Diego area.
Patrick Astourian, MS, PA-C
Patrick has experience in Urgent care, Rheumatology, and Orthopaedics and was a United States Air Force Medic for 8 years.
He has been using musculoskeletal ultrasound since October 2006 and was a speaker on musculoskeletal ultrasound at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts in November 2007. Patrick has given hands-on musculoskeletal training to various physicians in Pain Management, PM&R, Rheumatology, Sports Medicine, and Orthopaedics.
Patrick currently works as a PA at Grossmont Orthopaedics and is an owner of the San Diego Stem Cell Treatment Center.
Founder of SDSPA and Past CAPA President
Jeremy Adler, MS, PA-C
2022 Board Members
Paused for Covid
2021 Board Members
Paused for Covid
2020 Board Members
Paused for Covid
2019 Board Members
President - Timothy O'Neil, PA
Vice President - Roxanna Calvario, PA-C
Secretary - Jennifer Cates, PA-C
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Community Service - Joseph Hortillosa, PA-C
Membership Manager- Scott Barker PA-C
2018 Board Members
President - Emily Mangano, PA-C
Vice President -
Secretary -
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Community Service - Joseph Hortillosa, PA-C
Supporting Role - Kim Zuber, PA-C
2017 Board Members
President - Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Vice President - Emily Mangano, PA-C
Secretary - Ana Goldberg, PA-C
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Community Service - Joseph Hortillosa, PA-C
Supporting Role - Kim Zuber, PA-C
2016 Board Members
President - Bernard Casillan, PA-C
Vice President - Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Secretary - Ana Goldberg, PA-C
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Social Events - Emily Mangano, PA-C
Community Service - Joseph Hortillosa, PA-C
2015 Board Members
President - Bernard Casillan, PA-C
Vice President - Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Secretary - Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Social Events - Emily Mangano, PA-C
Community Service - Joseph Hortillosa, PA-C
Webmaster - Patrick Buan, PA-C
2014 Board Members
President - Robin Caballa, PA-C
Vice President - Bernard Casillan, PA-C
Secretary - Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Patrick Astourian, PA-C
Jeremy Adler, PA-C
2013 Board Members
President - Patrick Astourian, PA-C
Vice President - Robin Caballa, PA-C
Secretary - Mercedes Dodge, PA-C
Treasurer - Mark Hartmann, PA-C
Bernard Casillan, PA-C
Jeremy Adler, PA-C