Diana Noller, DHSc, MMS, MSPT, PA-C
Associate Professor of Medical Science
Founding Director
As the founding Program Director for the Austin College Physician Assistant Program, Dr. Noller provides the program with the leadership and vision to carry out its mission and sustain a culture that reflects its values. She has worked in PA education since 2009 and has a clinical background in orthopedic surgery.
Dr. Noller earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The College of New Jersey, graduated summa cum laude from Thomas Jefferson University with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, graduated from Arcadia University’s Physician Assistant program with distinction, and earned a Doctor of Health Science degree from AT Still with a concentration in Organizational Leadership.
Dr. Noller’s scholarship includes publications and national presentations on current topics in academic law, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, back and knee pain, childhood obesity, and health care pedagogy, as well as qualitative research on mothers’ experiences with child-to-parent violence.
Her professional contributions include currently serving as the Academic Law Feature Editor for The Journal of Physician Assistant Education, a Lead Mentor for the Women in Philanthropy network of the PA Foundation, and a member of the following: Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Associates, and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. She previously served on the Finance Council for the Physician Assistant Education Association and was a content expert in orthopedic surgery for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants’ Certificates of Added Qualifications Standard Setting Committee.
Maria Alejandra Vallejo-Nieto, MD
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Medical Director
Dr. Alejandra Nieto is an Assistant Professor and Medical Director for the Austin College Physician Assistant program. She went to medical school at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, graduating in 2004. After watching a family member pass away of breast cancer as a young teenager, she knew she wanted to study medicine. She participated in an OBGYN residency before deciding to move to the US. Dr. Nieto graduated from UTSW in 2012 and did a Family Medicine residency at the University of Texas, Austin.
Dr. Nieto has worked in private practice since acquiring her doctorate. She is excited about the new PA program and is currently a preceptor for the PA students. She is very involved in the Grayson County community. Her volunteerism includes: President-elect for the Grayson County Medical Society; being involved in her children’s school PTA programs; a board of director member of The House of Eli; and a member of the Sherman ISD Health Advisory Committee. She prides herself with receiving awards during her residency for good teaching skills and working hard. Dr. Nieto also served as an instructor in the Texoma Medical Center residency program from 2016-2017.
Angela Bañuelas, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Director of Experiential Learning of Medical Science
Angela Bañuelas serves at the Director of Experiential Learning of Medical Science for the Austin College Physician Assistant Program where she, in part, is participating in the initial establishment and accreditation of the program; developing the clinical curriculum; securing clinical sites and rotations; and managing additional programmatic requirements. She has worked in PA education since 2020 and has a clinical background in both pediatric and adult orthopedic surgery.
Ms. Bañuelas earned a Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University. graduated summa cum laude from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and completed a Fellowship for Pediatric Orthopedic Advance Practice from Children’s Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
Ms. Banuelas’ scholarship and professional activities include presenting on common diagnoses in orthopedics, serving as adjunct faculty with Harding University Medical Mission trips to Zambia, Africa, and participating in research on prenatal care outcomes of teenage pregnancies.
Her professional contributions include currently serving as a member of The PA Foundation’s Grants and Scholarships Review Board, a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, a member of Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery, and a member Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.
Athena Todd ’13, MHS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Director of Didactic Education
Athena is joining Austin College as the first core principal faculty member for the Physician Assistant Program. Athena has a clinical background in family and pediatric medicine, neurosurgery, and emergency medicine. She continues to practice medicine in the emergency room where she teaches residents and PA students.
Athena graduated with honors from Austin College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and minors in Biology and Leadership. While at Austin College she was awarded the Posey Leadership Scholarship and was actively involved with the Posey Leadership Institute, Pre-Medical Society, and was a Health and Wellness Peer Educator. She was also a member of the Women’s basketball team and the Kangaroos dance team. Athena was awarded the Stephens International Scholarship and traveled abroad to Greece during her senior JanTerm.
Athena attended the University of Oklahoma, School of Community Medicine and graduated in 2017 with her Masters in Physician Assistant Sciences. While at OU she was the Community Outreach Chair, part of the Crimson Club, and was the Physician Assistant Chairman for the Emergency Medicine Interest Group.
She is passionate about educating patients on their overall health and wellness and increasing access to health care in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. Athena is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Associates, and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.
Amy Thimesch, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Director of Student Success
Amy Thimesch is a core faculty member for the Physician Assistant Program. She also has a background in family medicine, where she continues to practice medicine.
Amy earned a Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences from the College of Oklahoma State University in 2016. She then went on to The University of Oklahoma College of Community Medicine, where she earned a Master of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies in 2018.
She is passionate about expanding healthcare to vulnerable populations, while also educating patients on how to be advocates for their own health. She is a member of the Physician Assistant Education Association, American Association of Physician Associates, and Texas Association of Physician Assistants.
Shannon Cain, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Shannon is a native of Sherman, Texas and has served the local community as a Physician Assistant for 25 years in Orthopedic Surgery. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health from Texas A&M, College Station, a Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Her professional contributions include membership in the Physician Assistant Education Association, American Academy of Physician Associates, and Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.
She is involved in the local community on various levels, including serving as a member of multiple boards within Sherman ISD, Sherman Education Foundation trustee, Sherman ISD Volunteer of the Year 2017, and active in Boy Scouts of America.
She is passionate about the Austin College Physician Assistant Program and is honored to be a part of advancing health care in her local community of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma.
Christen Reamy-Jones ’13, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Christen joined the Austin College PA program as a principal faculty member in the fall of 2023. Her clinical background is in Women’s Health & Obstetrics and Aesthetics. She practiced full-time at a thriving OBGYN clinic in Plano, TX for 5 years and continues providing care for her patients at the clinic in a part-time role. She has always had a passion for women’s health and believes that knowledge through education empowers people to advocate for themselves.
Christen graduated from Austin College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Psychology. While at Austin College she was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta honor society. She nurtured her love to travel by studying abroad in Scotland, Turkey, Guatemala, and Cuba during 4 separate JanTerms.
She attended PA school at Oklahoma City University as a member of their first matriculating class earning her Master in Physician Assistant Studies degree. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Associates, the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Physician Assistant Education Association.
Kenna Smith, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Kenna joined the PA program in fall of 2024 on principal faculty as an assistant professor. Kenna has a clinical background in outpatient family medicine and urgent care.
Kenna graduated with honors from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Chemistry minor. During her time at Southeastern, she was active in the Honors Program as a Parsons Scholar and participated in summer research internships at OU Health Sciences Center and Duke University. She was also on the SOSU cross country team.
Kenna attended University of Oklahoma Physician Associate program in Oklahoma City, OK and graduated with her Masters in Physician Associate Studies in 2015. During this time of study, she was active in Christian Medical and Dental Students Association and went on a medical mission trip to Peru. After graduation, she worked for a rural tribal health clinic for almost 9 years.
Kenna is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and Physician Assistant Education Association.
Kenna is passionate about medical missions and providing care to those who do not have good access to healthcare resources. She currently serves as a volunteer on her church worship team as a vocalist.
Christina Lascano, MPAS, DipACLM, PA-C
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Christina has a clinical background in outpatient internal medicine, urgent care, and lifestyle medicine. She continues to practice medicine part-time in a Rheumatology and Lifestyle Medicine practice, where she helps patients reduce their pain and improve their quality of life.
Christina graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health. During her time at Texas A&M, she was active in several organizations on campus including Fish Camp, Future Aggie Physician Assistants and volunteered as an EMT for the Texas A&M Emergency Care Team. She worked as an ER scribe while in college and played the violin in the Texas A&M Orchestra for 4 years. Christina then attended the University of North Texas Health Science Center, where she graduated in 2017 with her Master of Physician Assistant Studies. While in PA school she served as vice present of the PA Club.
Driven by her passion for preventative medicine, Christina furthered her education by becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine in 2023 and earning certification in the field. Recently, she has worked for two medical startups that focus on lifestyle medicine.
Christina is a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. She is passionate about educating the next generation of Physician Assistants about the power of behavior change to the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic disease.
Terra Agha, MPAS, PA-C
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medical Science
Terra Agha joined the PA program as an adjunct faculty member. Terra has been a PA since 2016 and has practiced in critical care since 2018. She is currently working full time in the Medical and Neuro ICU in downtown Dallas. Prior to her critical care experience she practiced outpatient internal medicine.
Terra graduated magna cum laude from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri with a major in Nutrition and Dietetics with pre-PA focus. During her time at SLU, she became a member of the Alpha Eta Society and also served as president of the SLU Dietetics Association. She later attended Kettering College’s Master in Physician Assistant Studies program in her native state of Ohio.
Terra is passionate about teaching and has developed training and continuing education programs in each center she has worked at. She is overjoyed to be a part of the PA program faculty at Austin College!
Amy Parsons
Administrative Coordinator
Amy joined the PA Program in 2023 as one of the Administrative Coordinator. She has worked at Austin College for 9 years.
Kimberly Donnell ’08
Admission and Assessment Coordinator
Kimberly joined the PA Program in 2024 as Admission and Assessment Coordinator. She has worked for Austin College for 6 years. Kimberly graduated from Austin College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and in 2009 with a Masters of Arts in Teaching specializing in Secondary Education.
Parris Butler
Administrative Coordinator
Parrish joined the PA Program in 2025 as one of the Administrative Coordinator. A Texas native, Parrish graduated from Lewisville High School before earning both a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Texas.