
Emily Adams
Emily has led the organization since March 2016. She provides oversight and leadership to the organization while working closely with the Board of Directors. Emily advocates for PA practice rights as a lobbyist and represents NCAPA and the PA profession throughout the state, as she is committed to ensuring that North Carolina is the best place to be a PA. She lives outside of Chapel Hill with her husband, Josh, and two children, Callum and Elsie. She tries to get outside whenever possible to enjoy all the natural beauty NC has to offer.

Kori Davis
Born and raised in the Bronx, Kori relocated to North Carolina in April 2004. She has been in healthcare for over 23 years, most of it at the bedside, working as an EMT-Intermediate and Surgical Tech with specialties in Neurosurgery, Trauma Surgery, and Organ Procurement. As a PTSD survivor, she is a strong mental health advocate for healthcare professionals, especially licensed healthcare professionals, because “we all need a safe space”. After many years as a bedside clinician, she transitioned to non-profit healthcare, finding it to be the best of both worlds by helping professionals help patients while raising awareness for the profession. Kori has two children, Kamryn and James, and a dog named Snickers (a Bluey reference). She enjoys taking cruises, spending time at the beach, and making quality time with her family a priority.

Rosa Navarro
Rosa is a native Texan. She began working at the NC Academy of Physician Associates in January 2022 and as the Director of Education is responsible for the development and execution of NCAPA’s Continuing Medical Education (CME) events, including conferences, individualized training events, and online courses. She manages CME-focused events and ensures alignment with NCAPA’s strategic goals and the needs of Physician Assistants. Prior to NCAPA, Rosa provided training & technical assistance to federally qualified health centers including implementing continuing education opportunities for 17 years. Rosa earned her undergraduate and Master of Arts degree in Sociology from East Carolina University. She is Lean Six Sigma certified and is experienced in project management and facilitation. In her downtime, she enjoys the outdoors, time with friends, and traveling (internationally whenever possible).

Caroline Purdy
Caroline began working at the NCAPA in April 2019 and serves as the staff liaison to NCAPA professional members, student members, and NCAPA regional chapters. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from NC State, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UNC Charlotte, and holds a leadership certification from Harvard Business School. A born and raised North Carolinian, she enjoys spending time outdoors from the mountains to the sea and sampling classic NC offerings. Caroline currently lives in Durham with her husband and their bulldog Moses.

Tommy Wellenhofer
Tommy is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, where he studied Economics and Advertising & Public Relations. He’s passionate about using clear, engaging communication to support healthcare access and public service. With a growing interest in the world of healthcare and the role PAs play across the state, he’s excited to help tell NCAPA’s story and connect with its members. Outside of work, you can find him running, playing guitar, or hanging out with his two dogs, Kevin and Dwight.


