2026 LBGT PA Caucus PA of the Year Award
| Jonathan Baker, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA The LBGT PA Caucus is proud to recognize Jonathan Baker, PA-C, MPAS, DFAAPA, as the recipient of the 2026 LBGT PA Caucus PA of the Year Award. This honor celebrates Jonathan's extraordinary commitment to advancing the physician associate profession, improving LGBTQ+ health, and mentoring the next generation of healthcare leaders. Jonathan has dedicated his career to providing compassionate, evidence-based care to sexual and gender diverse communities. As a Physician Associate specializing in anorectal surgery, HIV prevention, and infectious diseases, he has become a nationally recognized expert in LGBTQ+ health, helping expand access to affirming, culturally competent care while advancing groundbreaking clinical research. His work has contributed to NIH-funded studies, implementation of innovative HIV prevention programs, and the development of best practices that have improved patient outcomes nationwide. A passionate educator, Jonathan has presented extensively at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), GLMA, the International Anal Neoplasia Society, and numerous state and national conferences. Through countless lectures, publications, book chapters, and peer-reviewed research, he has empowered healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide inclusive, high-quality care for LGBTQ+ patients. Jonathan's influence extends far beyond clinical practice. He has served as President of the New York State Society of PAs, Chief Delegate in the AAPA House of Delegates, AAPA Liaison to GLMA, and, most notably for our organization, as President and board member of the LBGT PA Caucus from 2013 to 2018. During his leadership, he helped strengthen the Caucus through organizational growth, advocacy, educational programming, and mentorship while laying the foundation for many initiatives that continue to shape our mission today. Even after his presidency, Jonathan has remained an active leader through committee service, educational programming, awards, membership development, and mentoring emerging leaders within the Caucus. His exceptional service to the PA profession has been recognized through numerous honors, including being named a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of PAs (DFAAPA), a distinction earned by fewer than two percent of AAPA members, as well as receiving the New York State Society of PAs Presidential Award and the AAPA Clinical Publishing Paragon Award. Jonathan embodies the values of the LBGT PA Caucus through his unwavering dedication to advocacy, education, clinical excellence, and service. His career has transformed the lives of countless patients, inspired healthcare professionals across the country, and strengthened the voice of LGBTQ+ Physician Associates within organized medicine. |
2025 Inaugural LBGT PA Caucus PA of the Year Award
| Deborah Dunn, PA-C, MBA The LBGT PA Caucus is honored to recognize Deborah Dunn, PA-C, as our inaugural PA of the Year. In doing so, we celebrate a lifetime of dedication, courage, and innovation in service to LGBTQIA+ communities- our trans communities and people living with or at risk for HIV. With 43 years of clinical experience—including 19 years in emergency medicine during the height of the AIDS epidemic—she has consistently shown up for her patients and community with courage, clarity, and care. Her work in transgender health, combined with tireless advocacy at the policy level, has expanded access, advanced equity, and transformed the standard of care for countless individuals. Deborah served as the TransHealth Coordinator at Chase Brexton Health Care’s Center for LGBTQ Health Equity, where she helped establish best practices in medical transgender care and led the development of comprehensive, affirming services for gender-diverse patients. Co-authored Gender: JOY (Journeys of Youth)—a multidisciplinary program supporting trans youth and their families. Her leadership shaped care delivery models still referenced today( don’t know much about this) Deborah’s impact has extended far beyond the clinic. She has been a critical force in policy change, helping pass legislation that allows minors to access PrEP without parental consent—an essential step in HIV prevention. She is widely recognized as one of Maryland’s top PrEP prescribers and spent 15 years at Chase Brexton, a Ryan White–funded community health center, where she championed community-based HIV care. As an educator, Deborah has taught PA, NP, and medical students across the country, training future providers in culturally competent care for LGBTQIA+ populations. Deborah also brings strategic and operational expertise to her work, holding an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. Currently, Deborah serves as a Commissioner on the Maryland LGBTQ Commission, a Board Member of the Maryland Board of Physicians, a general member of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), and a previous AAPA DEI committee member as a liason between the Caucus and AAPA. Her presence in these leadership spaces ensures that LGBTQIA+ and HIV-affected communities remain part of healthcare policy conversations at the highest levels. She is a mentor to many, a policy-shaper, a care innovator, and a champion for our most vulnerable. Her legacy is not only in what she has done, but in the doors she has opened for others to follow. |
The LBGT PA Caucus is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We invite you to join us in our mission to promote LGBT healthcare equity for PAs, PA students, and especially our patients. |