Board of Directors

Lailah Rice has been a practicing PA in WV for 15 years, graduating from Alderson-Broaddus University in 2008. She has practiced in many roles including inpatient and outpatient cardiology, electrophysiology, and PA education. Lailah currently works as part of the WVU HVI Cardiovascular team at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, WV, where she is able to spread her passion for cardiology to anyone around her. 

Lailah has served on the Board of Directors of WVAPA for 7 years in many capacities and is excited to now serve as President of WVAPA this term, working with other BOD members to promote the PA profession, create a fun and informative CME conference in November 2023, and evaluate the current health of the PA workforce in WV with plans to work with community and state leaders on recruitment and retention strategies necessary to strengthen the PA workforce. 

Lailah is married and has two teenage sons, who bring joy (and sometimes stress, haha) to her life. She serves in her church as a Sunday School teacher for elementary-aged children, sings in the choir and praise team, and volunteers in the after school care program for community children. 

Denise “Dee Dee” Chambers has been a Physician Assistant since graduating from Alderson Broaddus College in 1989. After a few short years of surgery, Dee Dee began her journey in Family Medicine. In 2006, Dee Dee completed her M.S. degree at Alderson Broaddus College. She currently works part time at Marshall Health Family Practice at Cabell Huntington Hospital. 

Dee Dee is married to her best friend, Scott. for 34 years. Thay have two children Alison and Ryan.  Ryan is a UCPA graduate and currently works at WVU (West Virginia University) Thomas Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.  Ryan and his wonderful wife, Katie, have 3 beautiful babies, Josie 4, Annie 2, and Maisie 6 months. 

Dee Dee was part of the founding faculty at Marshall University Physician Assistant program, since resigning in April 2023, Dee Dee enjoys golf, pickleball, kayaking, Bicycling, crafting, quilting and most importantly spending time with her 3 Granddaughters.

Dr. Tom Gocke is a graduate of the Physician Assistant Program at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He earned a Doctor of Medical Science degree from the School of PA Medicine at the University of Lynchburg. 

Dr. Gocke is the President & Co-Founder of Orthopaedic Educational Services; Inc. OES provides online CME programs that focus on orthopaedic and musculoskeletal-related topics.  He is Adjunct Faculty at the Physician Assistant Program, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Adjunct Clinical Faculty Division of Physician Assistant Studies in the WVU School of Medicine and is a principal faculty-member for the AAPA-AAOS Musculoskeletal Galaxy course and has previously served as the Course co-director. 

Dr. Gocke is a Deputy Associate Editor for the Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants -Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery- (JOPA-JBJS). Tom is a published author in peer-reviewed journals on topics related to orthopaedic injuries.  He is former Board of Directors Member of Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery and held several offices (Secretary, Chief delegate HOD, Vice-President, President-elect) within PAOS. Dr. Gocke is currently working in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, WVU School of Medicine, West Virginia University.

(West Liberty University)

(Alderson Broaddus University)

(University of Charleston)

(West Virginia University)