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2026-2027 Board of Directors Candidates
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Member at Large
Jeffrey Donnelly
I am running for Director-at-Large because I am committed to advancing the Pediatric PA profession and supporting the mission of SPAP through advocacy, mentorship, education, and member engagement. Throughout my 21 years in clinical practice, I have gained firsthand insight into both the opportunities and challenges facing PAs, and I want to help strengthen our professional community and support continued growth within the field.
My experience includes clinical practice, owning and operating a pediatric office in the Virgin Islands, and serving for two years as Director of Clinical Education at Barry University before the campus was unfortunately destroyed by Hurricane Maria. These roles have given me a broad perspective on patient care, practice management, PA education, and the real-world challenges Pediatric PAs face daily. I understand the importance of strong leadership, collaboration, and professional advocacy in helping PAs succeed and provide high-quality care.
I believe my clinical, business, and educational experience would allow me to contribute thoughtfully and effectively as a member of the SPAP Board. I would be honored to serve and help support the continued success of Pediatric PAs nationwide. I am passionate about supporting Pediatric PAs and helping ensure SPAP continues to grow as a respected, inclusive, and impactful organization for our profession.
Bianca Hagedorn
I am applying for this position because pediatrics is my genuine passion. Over the last two years working as a general pediatrics Physician Associate, I have found immense fulfillment not only in caring for my pediatric patients, but also in building meaningful relationships with their families. I value the opportunity to support children through every stage of growth and development while creating a safe, welcoming space within my practice.
In addition to patient care, I am deeply passionate about mentoring future providers. I enjoy serving as a role model for students and advocating for those interested in pursuing pediatrics. I currently serve as a preceptor for Marist University, where I graduated in 2022, and I was recently honored to receive the Preceptor of the Year 2026 award.
Although my career path began outside of outpatient pediatrics, my first position as a PA in trauma surgery provided me with critical care experience and strengthened my clinical judgment, particularly in recognizing when patients require emergency evaluation and higher levels of care. That experience ultimately reinforced and solidified my dedication to pediatrics.
If given the opportunity to serve on the SPAP board, I hope to contribute not only my passion for pediatric medicine, but also my commitment to advocacy for both our patients and the PA profession.
Student Board Member
Makenzie Bauer
My name is Makenzie Bauer, and I am a third-year PA student attending the University of Colorado Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant (CHA/PA) program, where I get a robust foundation in pediatric medicine and have seen my professors passionately support the local community of pediatric providers, inspiring me to do the same. It is important to me to be involved in national organizations such as SPAP so I can foster community among pediatric providers, as I look forward to entering this community when I begin my PA career. At CHA/PA, I am on the executive board of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) student committee, helping our student president and faculty navigate the uncertain landscape of DEI in higher education and keeping our peers informed about our committee’s work. Through this position, I also organized our DEI summer book project, which entailed selecting a book for our first-year students to read, writing the event curriculum, encouraging student participation, and leading the classroom discussion. Through this project, I developed strong communication abilities, organizational skills, and the ability to remain resilient in the face of change. I hope to apply these traits, along with my passion for pediatric medicine and its community, in the SPAP Student Representative position.
Kennedy Cross
My name is Kennedy Cross and I am interested in serving as the Student Representative on the Board of Directors. I am passionate about advancing pediatric care through collaboration and education. As a future PA with a strong interest in pediatrics, I want to contribute ideas that will strengthen communication, member involvement, and professional development. I will assist in content creation using Canva and integrating AI tools to enhance our social media presence and newsletters.
I am committed to teamwork and have strong interpersonal skills that help streamline ideas and get students excited about upcoming events. I have strong time management skills and am passionate about the profession. I am an active student ambassador at Campbell University and held a leadership role in sponsorships for our Make-A-Wish Pickleball tournament. I attended the AAPA conference this year in New Orleans, where I met and interacted with several board members. I am excited to contribute to an organization dedicated to pediatric care!
MacKenzie Larsen
As a physician assistant student, I would be a strong candidate for Student Representative because I am passionate about leadership, advocacy, and building meaningful connections within the PA community. Through my involvement in service initiatives, community outreach, and student engagement opportunities, I have developed strong communication and teamwork skills that would allow me to effectively serve as a liaison between students and the Board of Directors of Student Academy of the Physician Assistants. I am committed to encouraging student involvement across committees, projects, and organizational events while helping foster a collaborative and supportive environment for future PAs. I also have an interest in social media and digital communication and understand the importance of using these platforms to increase engagement, promote initiatives, and strengthen connections among members. My enthusiasm for service, leadership, and representation would allow me to contribute positively to SPAP, while ensuring student voices are heard and supported.