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Leona Hamrick, DHSc, PA-C, MSL-BC serves as Vice President of Clinical Development & Medical Affairs. Dr. Hamrick has experienced health care from all sides, seeing patients for 20 years as a physician associate (PA) and as a stage 3 breast cancer survivor since 2014. She practices and has taught a mindfulness philosophy approach known as three principles psychology for more than 15 years in a variety of settings including Fortune 500 companies and correctional institutions. She is a transformational leader, pushing her team to place a high value on the Biodesix corporate vision and inspiring them to grow and develop their careers.
Dr. Hamrick saw internal medicine patients from 1997 to 2015, beginning her career in her small hometown of Gilbert, WV before relocating to Tampa Bay. She transitioned into molecular diagnostics after her personal experience, driven to improve the diagnostic process for others facing cancer. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings always focused on improving care to patients, particularly in underserved communities. As a medical affairs professional, she has lead teams to successfully launch and support products and develop new scientific opportunities for data development.
Dr. Hamrick received her bachelor's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from Mountain State University in Beckley, WV. She went on to complete a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE and her Doctor of Health Science from NOVA Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. She maintains her national board-certification and Florida medical license as a PA. Additionally, she was selected as a subject matter expert in the creation of an international medical science liaison (MSL) board certification (BC) exam and earned her MSL-BC status in 2020.
Dr. Hamrick is active in her community and has supported a variety of causes throughout her career. Most notably, she served as a Big Sister, with Big Brothers Big Sisters for more than 20 years, earning “2012 Big Sister of the Year.” She serves as a volunteer with the Medical Reserve Corps of Pinellas County in Tampa Bay. She is a lifetime member, and past director-at-large, for the Academy of Doctoral PAs. She has a passion for world travel and spent many years as a board member for Basa Village Foundation USA, raising over $40,000 for those in Nepal impacted by the earthquake of 2015. Additionally, in 1999 she was a founding member of The STOP Coalition, an organization created to bring awareness to the opioid crisis impacting southern West Virginia.
Dr. Hamrick was awarded distinguished fellow status by the American Academy of Physician Assistants in 2012 in recognition of her many years and dedication to health care services. In addition to her career in patient care she served as faculty at South University in Tampa, educating graduate-level PA students. She was awarded a Health Science scholarship for supporting health care delivery to a federally qualified health center system within an underserved community. Dr. Hamrick is a peer-reviewed published author in multiple medical journals and an international speaker.
