Her Story
About Tara
Dr. Tara Amini, DMSc, PA-C, is a physician associate and justice-driven healthcare leader with more than 20 years of experience delivering comprehensive primary care, addiction medicine, gender-affirming care, and women’s health services. Based in Fresno, California, she serves at the frontlines of care for underserved and unsheltered populations, working primarily within federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and nonprofit systems. Her work reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence, public health integration, and advancing equitable access to care for marginalized communities.
Dr. Amini’s path into medicine is rooted in lived experience. As a former refugee who spent over two years in a camp in Germany, she discovered early on the power of healthcare as a universal, non-discriminatory force while helping neighbors navigate medical appointments. That formative experience shaped her lifelong mission to provide compassionate, inclusive care. Over the course of her career, she has worked with organizations such as Planned Parenthood and Clinica Sierra Vista, where she pioneered and built a full-service mobile and street medicine program from the ground up—now delivering primary care, addiction treatment, psychiatric services, reproductive health, HIV prevention, and minor procedures directly within the community.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Amini is an advocate, educator, and leader within the physician associate profession. She serves in leadership roles with the California Academy of Physician Associates (CAPA) and PAs in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine, contributing to policy, education, and the advancement of telehealth standards. A TNT Addiction Medicine Fellow with the University of California, Irvine, she continues to expand her expertise through advanced psychiatric training to better meet the complex needs of her patients. Guided by a philosophy grounded in humanity, dignity, and systems-level collaboration, Dr. Amini remains dedicated to transforming healthcare delivery and breaking down barriers for both patients and providers.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience shaped by my refugee background, along with my multilingual abilities that allowed me to serve others early in life. Over a 20-year career in medicine, including work with mobile healthcare units in Fresno, I have remained committed to underserved communities, a path influenced by my journey from Iran to medical school at Loma Linda University. Strong mentorship—especially from Dr. Delisi,Dr. Ayala, Dr. Gousse, Dr. Meave—along with my experience with organizations like Planned Parenthood and University of Southern California, Providence, and Clinica Sierra Vista, supportive leadership, and a commitment to lifelong learning have all played a vital role in my growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is simple: keep going. That mindset has guided me through complex challenges in healthcare—building partnerships across public health, mobile outreach, and clinical systems to break down silos. It has driven my work expanding mobile unit and telemedicine services to reach underserved populations, while developing integrated models that connect addiction, mental health, and primary care with dignity and purpose.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Seek out mentorship early and don’t be afraid to learn from those who have walked the path before you. Show up consistently—even on the hard days—because growth and credibility are built over time. Stay curious and commit to being a lifelong learner, especially in a field that’s constantly evolving. Most importantly, trust your voice and remember that your perspective has value, especially when advocating for those who are often unheard.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in my field is expanding healthcare services for unsheltered populations. This requires overcoming siloed systems of care by building stronger partnerships with public health and community providers. It also involves removing barriers to care and connecting individuals to the services they need. By scaling collaborative models that link mobile unit outreach with broader health systems, we can improve access, continuity of care, and outcomes for some of the most vulnerable communities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are honesty, integrity, and respect. I believe every individual deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect, regardless of their circumstances. I am deeply guided by a commitment to humanity, community service, and collaboration, which shape how I engage with others and the work I do. I also value lifelong learning and remain a strong advocate for women and underserved populations, striving to create a more equitable and meaningful impact in every space I serve.
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