Advanced Practitioner Training Academy

Billie Lockett, PA-C, MPH.

Billie Lockett, PA-C, MPH, an APTA 2025 Graduate, grew up in rural East County San Diego in a community of fewer than 1,500 residents, where the nearest hospital was 50 miles away. As the first in her family to attend college and pursue a healthcare career, Billie’s lived experience with limited access to care fuels her commitment.to serving underserved communities. Entering Neighborhood Healthcare as a new graduate, she faced the dual challenge of adapting to a new clinical environment while building fluency in Spanish to better serve her patients. Through APTA’s mentorship and structured clinical support, she strengthened both her clinical judgment and her ability to build patient Today, she confidently manages complex cases — from supporting patients experiencing suicidal ideation to titrating insulin for newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes — delivering holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care.

Anmar Alhaddad, PA-C.

Anmar Alhaddad, PA-C is a current APTA participant at the El Cajon health center. Born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, he experienced limited access to healthcare, shaping his commitment to service. After fleeing Iraq, his family resettled in San Diego, where he began volunteering at Neighborhood Healthcare more than a decade ago. Starting at the front desk, he advanced to Arabic healthcare interpreter and lead interpreter, serving as a cultural bridge for many refugee patients.

Inspired to expand his impact, he pursued physician assistant training and returned through the APTA program. Transitioning from student to practicing PA was challenging, but APTA’s structured mentorship, case reviews, and didactic sessions strengthened his clinical confidence and decision-making.

Today, he delivers more efficient, precise, and patient-centered care. Sharing language and lived experience with many patients allows him to build trust quickly, improve engagement, and support better outcomes.

“APTA gave me the confidence and support to step fully into my role as a physician assistant and care for patients who need consistency and trust.”

Robert Montillano, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC, CPNP-PC.

Robert Montillano, DNP, FNP-C, FNP-BC, CPNP-PC, is a current APTA participant. As a Filipino American and first-generation college graduate, brings more than fifteen years of diverse nursing experience to his role at Neighborhood Healthcare–Elm. Raised in a working-class family where healthcare access was not guaranteed, he developed a relational approach to care grounded in respect, trust, and cultural understanding. His background across dialysis, inpatient medicine, oncology, infusion therapy, radiation oncology, and public health shaped a practice rooted in both clinical rigor and human connection.

APTA provided him with something increasingly rare in healthcare: protected time to grow with meaningful guidance. Through intentional mentorship, structured onboarding, and collaborative learning, he was able to thoughtfully integrate his years of nursing experience with the advanced clinical reasoning required of a provider. This deliberate development fostered confidence grounded in safety, reflection, and sound judgment rather than urgency or productivity pressures, strengthening both the quality of his decision-making and the care he delivers to patients.

Alicia Ramirez, Physician Assistant, Behavioral Health.

Participating in the APTA-BH program has been an incredibly transformative experience, aligning perfectly with my passion for psychiatry.

At the beginning, I faced challenges with conducting mental status exams and taking comprehensive psychiatric histories. I had to learn how to build rapport with patients, create a comfortable environment for them, and ask open-ended questions to gather a thorough history... I had the privilege of observing a range of psychiatric visits, including those for adults, children and adolescents, geriatrics, and patients in the Medication Assisted Treatment program. The supportive atmosphere created by the physicians and clinic staff, who were welcoming, enthusiastic about teaching, and committed to my growth, made a significant difference.

The program also offered dedicated didactics time led by Dr. Matialeu, who invited guest lecturers from both within and outside NHC, enriching my learning experience. Collaborating with participants from the APTA general medicine program further enhanced my education. By the end of the 13-week program, I felt confident and prepared to see patients independently, supported by the amazing clinicians I had worked closely with. The gradual increase in patient load has helped me improve my time management skills and transition to handling a full panel. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.

Melissa Towers, PMHNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner).

APTA allowed me to slowly ramp up and get familiar with eCW while finding my flow and my style. The providers who were preceptors and allowed me to shadow were amazing and supportive. Meeting so many different providers allowed me to see the many different styles; learn how to use eCW, NABLA, and Doxy more effectively; and gave me a chance to meet my colleagues and feel comfortable with them. I truly believe that when the providers said to reach out at any time with questions, they meant it. I also appreciate that I had Braden as a cohort member to commiserate with, and Alicia to ask questions about APTA– before and during the program. I feel more prepared to start my career as a PMHNP, and I feel like I have a whole team with me.

Braden Yzaguirre, Physician Assistant, Behavioral Health.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the APTA training program. Thank you to the entire staff for your time, guidance, and encouragement throughout this experience. Your expertise, patience, and genuine investment in my learning have made a lasting impact. I truly appreciate how much thought and effort you put into creating such a supportive environment.

This program has helped me become more comfortable seeing patients and has given me the confidence to approach clinical situations with greater clarity and assurance. The opportunities to practice and refine my skills have been invaluable, and I can already see the difference in my approach to patients. I’m especially grateful for the chance to learn directly from faculty whose knowledge, kindness, and approachability have made the experience even more meaningful.