Legislative Update: OAPA Conference 2025

Don Guthrie, PA, OAPA President

Don graduated from the OU PA program in 1981. He lives in Choctaw, OK and has practiced in the Oklahoma City metro area for the past 44 years.

Don is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the United States Air Force Reserves. His professional experience includes private, corporate, institutional, and governmental medical services. Don has practiced in rural and metro areas in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Occupational Medicine, Urgent Care, and Pain Management.

Since 2020, Don has served on the OAPA Board as Treasurer (2020-2024), Chairman of the OAPA Finance Committee, President-Elect (2024-2025), and Chairman of the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Don is firmly committed to the OAPA Mission Statement: Secure and strengthen the PA profession in Oklahoma through Advocacy, Promotion, and Continuing Medical Education.

Jan Loftis, OAPA Lobbyist

Jan Gilmore Loftis has over 25 years’ experience in management of government relations and political operations on behalf of various businesses and organizations.  She is president/owner of Gilmore Communications, LLC, and is under contract to multiple clients to provide ongoing management of issues, political strategies, public relations and direct lobbying.  OAPA was Jan’s first client and proudly continues to serve them today.  She has twice been honored by OAPA with a Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary PA for her work in advancing legislation promoting and protecting the profession in Oklahoma.  The organization selected Loftis for the honors in 2016 and 2001.  Loftis volunteers with numerous charitable and philanthropic organizations and currently serves on the Oklahoma City Civic Center Foundation Board of Directors.  Upon graduating from Altus High School, Loftis attended Oklahoma City University graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.  Loftis is married to award-winning architect James Loftis, FAIA and enjoys playing competitive croquet, gardening, attending theatrical and musical productions, and playing with their Bichon Frise, CoCo.

Tyler Powell, OAPA Lobbyist

Tyler is a trusted political advisor and is well-versed on state government and policy development and implementation. Prior to founding CSS Partners with Josh Grogis, Tyler served as Oklahoma’s Deputy Secretary of Environment. He was the Secretary of Energy and Environment’s principal advisor and worked on every major energy and environmental policy between 2011 and 2017.

As the Deputy Secretary, Tyler oversaw implementation of the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, the Water for 2060 Act, and the Lesser Prairie Chicken Range Wide Conservation Plan. Tyler represented the state before Congress, the White House, and numerous federal agencies. Prior to becoming the Deputy Secretary, Tyler served on the staff of U.S. Congressman Tom Cole.

Committed to working with stakeholders and building coalitions, Tyler is focused on providing sound counsel and strategy to solve complex challenges.

Matt Latham, OAPA Lobbyist

Matt Latham has two decades of political and advocacy experience. Beginning his career in municipal politics, Matt has worked at nearly every level of government. After stints out of state including Washington, D.C., Matt moved back home to Oklahoma. He founded the Latham Consulting Group recognizing the need for locally focused government affairs groups. Matt grew up in rural Oklahoma and understands the diversity of our state. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time at the lake, top tier Welsh soccer club Swansea City, anything OU, and traveling.

Sandra Harrison, JD, MPA,
Executive Director of the OBMLS

Sandra Benischek Harrison, JD, MPA, became the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision in 2024. Prior to being named Executive Director, Sandra served as Deputy Director of the OMB and Interim Executive Director.  Prior to joining the Medical Board, Sandra was the Vice President of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the Oklahoma Hospital Association. She served there for 10 years in various roles but primarily as legal counsel and in advocacy. From 2017 to 2023, Harrison also served as Chairman of the Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma and on the Board of the national Center for Telehealth and Elaw. Both groups advocate and educate on responsible telemedicine policy.

Earlier in her career, Sanda served for 5 years at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services with her final roles as Chief Administrative Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer. Harrison also served both sides of the Oklahoma Legislature as Fiscal Analyst for the Oklahoma State Senate and as Staff Attorney for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She has also practiced as a private sector attorney in civil matters and is licensed to practice in both Oklahoma and New Mexico. Harrison earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of New Mexico, a master’s in public administration, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.

Audra Ball, PA-C, PAPAC Chair

Audra Ball, MHS, PA-C is a certified Physician Associate with over 19 years of diverse clinical experience spanning neurosurgery, general and vascular surgery, primary and urgent care, women’s health, and functional/integrative medicine. She is a proud graduate of the University of Oklahoma – OKC Physician Associate Program (Class of 2006) and is certified by the NCCPA and licensed by the Oklahoma State Medical Board.

Currently, Audra divides her time between hand surgery and functional medicine, where she integrates her broad clinical background to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. A dedicated educator, she has also served as adjunct faculty for the OU PA program and continues to precept PA students in clinical settings and guest lecture on topics related to PA practice and value as well as integrative care.

In addition to her clinical and teaching roles, Audra is deeply committed to PA advocacy. She is an active member of the Oklahoma Academy of Physician Associates (OAPA) Board of Directors and currently serves as the PA Political Action Committee Chair. She has also contributed her time previously by sitting on various OAPA committees, including those focused on legislation and policy.   

Outside of her professional work, Audra enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and their three children.  She loves traveling, road trips and generally all things outdoors.  You can also frequently find her cheering on the sidelines of a soccer field supporting her daughter at regional soccer games and tournaments on the weekends.