Discover Regional Thought Leaders
Jeanette Hart
PA-C
Jeannette Hart is a board-certified physician assistant with over 13 years of experience specializing in rheumatology. She earned her Master of Clinical Health Services (MCHS) through the University of Washington’s MEDEX Physician Assistant Program in 2012. She began her career in private practice and successfully navigated transitions through both a hospital acquisition and a merger with a large healthcare system—all while refining her clinical expertise and leading efforts to improve patient access, operational efficiency, and best practices in rheumatology care. Committed to advancing healthcare delivery, Jeannette pursued a second master’s degree in Health Administration (MHA), further strengthening her leadership in clinical operations. She is now co-founder and co-owner of PNW Arthritis and Rheumatology, a private rheumatology practice opening October 1, 2025. Jeannette is passionate about education and mentorship, regularly precepting PA students and family medicine residents in her community. She is also the Pacific Northwest Director for RhAPP (Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers) and has proudly served on its faculty since its inception.
Audrey Gibson
PA-C, MsPAS
Audrey Gibson, MSPAS, PA-C is a board-certified rheumatology physician assistant at the Arthritis Center of North Georgia in Gainesville, Georgia. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from Lipscomb University and earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from South University in Savannah, Georgia. Audrey is a certified densitometrist with a clinical focus on rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthropathies, inflammatory myopathies, and osteoporosis. She is an active member of the Society of Physician Assistants in Rheumatology, the Georgia Society of Rheumatology, the American College of Rheumatology, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Audrey also serves as a faculty advisor for the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP).
Amanda Mixon
PA-C
Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is a physician assistant specializing in rheumatology at UCHealth's Rheumatology Clinic in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 17 years of experience, she focuses on managing inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and connective tissue diseases like lupus. Amanda emphasizes a team-based approach to care, working closely with both patients and specialists to ensure timely and effective treatment plans. She is also a co-founder of the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP) group, where she contributes to educating and supporting colleagues in rheumatology. Amanda's dedication to patient care extends to fostering collaboration between rheumatology and dermatology, particularly in managing complex connective tissue diseases that involve both skin and joint manifestations
William Saalfeld
DNP
William Saalfeld is an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specializing in Rheumatology at the Arthritis Center of Nebraska, where he has practiced since 2017. He holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Before specializing in rheumatology, he gained experience as a registered nurse in critical care and palliative care. Saalfeld is a member of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals.
Candace Ryan
PA-C
Candace Ryan attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned a bachelor's degree in Biologic. After relocating to Arizona, she attended Midwestern University and received a master’s in physician assistant studies. She initially worked in Pediatrics and then transitioned to Rheumatology where she has been for the past 17 years at the Arizona Arthritis and Rheumatology Associates. Candace has been on faculty with RhAPP for the past 4 years. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, riding her bike, and playing with her dogs.
Shayla Sanders
FNP-BC
Shayla Sanders is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in providing comprehensive care to patients with complex medical conditions. Passionate about patient education and evidence-based practice, Shayla focuses on empowering individuals through personalized care plans. With a strong background in [specific specialty or focus area, if known], she is dedicated to fostering collaborative patient-provider relationships to optimize health outcomes.
Heather Mambretti
PA-C
Heather Mambretti, PA-C, is a physician assistant specializing in rheumatology at Texas Rheumatology in League City, Texas. She has been practicing since 2011 and provides care for patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal conditions. Heather is affiliated with Texas Rheumatology and works alongside other specialists to offer comprehensive treatment plans for her patients. She is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals dealing with rheumatologic diseases.
Heather Finlayson
PA-C
Heather Finlayson, MS, PA-C, is a certified Physician Assistant for Summit Rheumatology in Littleton, Colorado. She previously worked at National Jewish Health Rheumatology and started at Colorado Arthritis Associates in Rheumatology in 2012. She has also taught rheumatology courses at Rocky Vista University PA program since 2022. Heather is a member of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals (ARP) (division of American College of Rheumatology-ACR), and the Association of Women in Rheumatology (AWIR). She is currently the AWIR Denver Local Chapter Co-Lead, a Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP) faculty member and has served on several ACR/ARP committees.
Shannon Ghizzoni
PA-C
Shannon Ghizzoni is a board-certified Physician Assistant specializing in rheumatology. With a passion for providing comprehensive care to patients with rheumatic conditions, Shannon focuses on patient education, disease management, and improving quality of life. She is dedicated to staying current with the latest advancements in rheumatology and fostering collaborative relationships with patients and healthcare teams to deliver personalized, evidence-based care.
Iris Zink
MSN, ANP, RN-BC
Iris Zink, MSN, ANP-BC, APRN, is a board-certified nurse practitioner specializing in rheumatology in East Lansing, Michigan. She co-founded Pine Hollow Partners, an Early Arthritis Intervention Clinic, in August 2016 to serve the underserved community. With over 24 years of experience, Iris is affiliated with McLaren Greater Lansing and Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital. She is dedicated to providing comprehensive care to patients with rheumatologic conditions, emphasizing early intervention to prevent deformity, disability, and death.