Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Kenya Samuels, an associate professor in Fort Worth鈥檚 , has been elected as a member-at-large to the Society for PAs in Pediatrics, or SPAP,
board of directors, marking a significant step in her career and bringing national
recognition to the program.
Samuels, who joined SPAP in 2019, said the appointment fulfills a longtime goal of combining her passion for teaching with leadership in a national professional organization.
鈥淚鈥檝e applied for this position two or three times before,鈥� Samuels said. 鈥淭his year, I told myself if it鈥檚 meant to be, it will be. For me, this is an important step toward a career goal I鈥檝e had for years.鈥�
SPAP is a nonprofit specialty organization of the , or AAPA. It represents physician assistants, PA residents and students, and others committed to pediatric medicine. Its mission is to improve the health of children by supporting PAs and healthcare teams providing cost-effective, high-quality care, while also fostering networking, education and advocacy among providers.
Samuels brings to the board more than a decade of experience in pediatrics, including six years in pediatric critical care at Texas Children鈥檚 Hospital and pediatric urgent care at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She has taught at UNT Health since 2017, where she leads courses in pediatrics and physical examination skills, mentors students, and serves in key leadership roles within the program.
Her new role, she said, will give her the chance to shape the organization鈥檚 direction and expand its reach. One priority for SPAP鈥檚 board in the coming year will be growing membership and encouraging greater attendance at conferences 鈥� goals Samuels hopes to support by promoting the society among students and early-career PAs.
鈥淗aving a faculty member on the board shows students that our program is engaged on a national level,鈥� Samuels said. 鈥淲hen I read student applications, I see how much they value faculty experience 鈥� not just clinically, but in leadership and professional service. This is going to help both me and the program.鈥�
UNT Health's Kenya Samuels, leading an interactive session at Alice Carlson Elementary School
Samuels鈥� appointment has drawn praise from her colleagues, including PA Lauren Dobbs, chair of the Physician Assistant Studies program.
鈥淧A Samuels has a heart for service,鈥� Dobbs said. 鈥淪he will be a great addition to the SPAP board of directors and will represent pediatric PAs and our department well.鈥�
Her commitment to pediatrics is rooted not only in her clinical background but also in her belief in the unique rewards of working with children and their families.
鈥淧ediatrics is similar to veterinary medicine in some ways,鈥� Samuels said with a laugh. 鈥淵our patients often can鈥檛 tell you what鈥檚 wrong, so you rely on parents or caregivers. You have to have patience and strong interpersonal skills. Parents can be anxious or protective 鈥� and understandably so. But if you approach it with genuine concern and empathy, it goes a long way.鈥�
She encourages her students to look beyond those challenges and consider the joys of the specialty.
鈥淭he kids are fun,鈥� Samuels said. 鈥淵ou get to be playful while doing exams, build their trust and watch them hit milestones. Over time, you build relationships and see them grow up. It鈥檚 a wholesome, humbling experience.鈥�
Samuels鈥� two-year term on the SPAP board is renewable for a second term. She sees it as not only an opportunity to advance her own professional goals but also to elevate UNT Health鈥檚 Physician Assistant Studies program on a national stage.
鈥淚 want to represent our students and faculty well,鈥� Samuels said. 鈥淭his role is about service 鈥� to my profession, to my peers, and ultimately to the patients we all care for.鈥�
From - Community by Eric Griffey