Amanda W. Gumbert

Amanda W. Gumbert, M.M.S, PA-C

Amanda W. Gumbert received her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at San Diego State University in 2002. She worked as an Exercise Physiologist at the Cardiac Treatment Center at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla before going to PA School. Amanda graduated from Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona with a Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant studies in 2005. She began working for Dr. Ghosh in January 2006 working as the senior Physician Assistant and manager of the PAs and office staff. Amanda has spoken at the national level at the AAPA conference on various neurosurgical topics. She is highly committed to the future Physician Assistants and frequently has students shadow her and acts as a PA student preceptor. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Association of Neurosurgical Physician Assistants, and The San Diego Society of Physician Assistants.

Amanda when not working enjoys hiking, mountain biking, stand up paddle boarding, snowboarding, playing with her dogs and spending time with her family.

Physician Assistants associations

Felix Regala, MPAP, PA-C

Felix Matthew Regala was born and raised in Abilene, Texas where he graduated from Abilene High School in 2001. He was honored with the Chuck and Doris Moser Scholarship for his accomplishments as a varsity athlete in baseball and his excellence in academics and community service. He then attended Baylor University where he graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Felix then spent a couple of years working in the laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Johnson & Johnson. He then went on to the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California to obtain his Master of Physician Assistant Practice degree. Felix graduated from physician assistant school in 2010. While pursuing his PA degree at USC, Felix served as class president and spent time training in neurosurgery and orthopedic spine.

Felix enjoys being active, including playing basketball, surfing, snowboarding, golfing, and exercising. Felix is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the California Academy of Physician Assistants.

Felix Regala
Deborah Frantz, M.M.S, M.S., PA-C

Deborah Frantz, M.M.S, M.S., PA-C

Deborah Frantz is a California native. She attended American University in Washington, DC graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science and Environmental Studies. She was a college athlete, playing NCAA D1 volleyball all four years. She then attended California State University, Long Beach where she received a Masters of Science in Shark Reproductive Physiology. During her first master’s degree, she began transitioning into medicine, and went on to receive her Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant studies at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, IL. She graduated in 2017 and has been working at Senta Clinic in neurosurgery. Deborah is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and The San Diego Society of Physician Assistants.

Edith Smith, Operations Manager – Senta Neurosurgery

Edith Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, San Diego in 1996. From 1997 to 2002, she worked as a Program Manager at Qualcomm, during which time she also obtained a Certificate in Project Management from the University of San Diego. Edith took some time off to start her family and remained active in her volunteer efforts for Rady Children’s Hospital Auxiliary, where she co-chaired nine large fundraising events and served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. During her time at Rady Children’s, Edith became passionate about healthcare and neurosurgery in particular when her daughter became a neurosurgical patient at Radys. Edith became Senta Neurosurgery’s Operations Manager supporting Dr. Sanjay Ghosh’s practice in 2019. Given her personal experiences, Edith knows that getting a referral to neurosurgery is a stressful, life altering event, so she truly appreciates being part of the patient care process for Dr. Ghosh’s patients.

When not at work, Edith enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, cooking, and entertaining.

Edith Smith, Operations Manager

Melissa Padilla, Surgery Coordinator

Melissa has an Associate of Science Degree in Medical Office Administration. She has worked in healthcare for 15 years. She started out working in a radiology department processing film and scheduling exams. In 2003, she began working for Dr. Ghosh. Melissa schedules Dr. Ghosh’s surgeries and helps with many of the other office tasks. Her goal is to try and make the scheduling of our patients surgeries organized and stress free.

women looking at the camera and smiling