All Sessions

Dr. Amy Hinkelman is associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine and teaches both medical and graduate students. She completed her bachelor’s degree in biology from Baylor University, doctoral degree in microbiology at the University of Kansas, and postdoctoral training in immunology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine studying host immune responses to influenza virus infection. Over the past few years, Dr. Hinkelman has...

Neurofibromatosis Program Coordinator and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Related Neuroimmune Disorders Clinic Coordinator for UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, a clinical partnership between Dell Children’s Medical Center and UT Health Austin. As a physician-scientist, she specializes in clinical medicine, human genetics, pharmacogenomics, translational medicine, neuropathology, and medical research. Dr. Robles Lopez earned her master’s degree in molecular medicine from University of Sheffield in England, her doctorate in neuroscience from University of Sheffield...

Honored by several professional associations, Dr. Barton Goldsmith is a multi-award-winning psychotherapist and humanitarian, an author of 8 books, a syndicated columnist, a blogger for Psychology Today, and former NPR radio host, as well as a recognized keynote speaker.

Dr. Dhasarathy received her Ph.D. in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Kladde at Texas A&M University, TX. She did postdoctoral work with Dr. Paul Wade at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in the Research Triangle Park, NC. Her interests are chromatin structure and transcriptional regulation, as it applies to the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). She is program coordinator of the NIH funded Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (CoBRE) in Epigenetics at...

Dr. William J. Schwartz is a distinguished neurologist with a passion for both clinical practice and neuroscience education. He has dedicated his career to mentoring trainees in basic and clinical neuroscience while practicing general neurology. For nearly four decades, Dr. Schwartz has led groundbreaking NIH-funded research on biological clocks, with a particular focus on the master brain clock in the hypothalamus. His contributions to the field have earned him leadership roles, including Chair of the...

Xuejing Chen, MD, MS is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. She specializes in the medical and surgical management of vitreoretinal diseases including retinal vascular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, retinal detachments, macular degeneration, ocular trauma, secondary intraocular lens, posterior uveitis and retinal dystrophies. Dr Chen’s primary goal is to provide her patients with compassionate care using the most advanced treatments available and to provide management...

Ezra Cohen, MD, is a medical oncologist and an internationally recognized cancer researcher. He cares for patients with all types of head and neck cancers, including esophageal, thyroid and salivary gland cancers. As a physician-scientist, Dr. Cohen also leads a laboratory that studies novel cancer treatments, including immunotherapy, and has made major contributions in understanding how targeted cancer therapies work. Much of his work has focused on squamous cell carcinomas and cancers of the thyroid,...

Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, she is part of the clinical care team providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients with cancer at any point in their disease process, and assisting patients with complex decision making. Dr. Curseen has been named one of the Palliative Medicine Inspirational Leaders under 40 by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine for 2014-2015. She has been consistently listed in Atlanta Magazine's annual "Top...

Dr. Rouillard was born in Euclid, Ohio and is a graduate of Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, with honors. She obtained her Doctor of Medicine from Stanford University, where she taught Human Anatomy and performed research in Immunology. She completed her internship and residency at University of Texas, Southwestern, Parkland Memorial Hospital and then her fellowship in Gastroenterology at the University of California, San Francisco, with an interest in liver...

Emily Cleveland Manchanda is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, the Program co-Director for the Ravin Davidoff Executive Fellowship in Health Equity at Boston Medical Center, and works clinically in the Emergency Department at Boston Medical Center. She is also the Director for Social Justice Education and Implementation within the Center for Health Equity at the American Medical Association (AMA). At the AMA, Dr. Cleveland Manchanda leads...

Dr. McKenna is the Director of Accreditation and an Assistant Professor. He teaches evidence-based medicine, is a Capstone advisor and serves on numerous committees. He began his medical career as a US Navy Corpsman and later served as a PA in emergency medicine/urgent care prior to a 32-year career in the biopharmaceutical industry as a Medical Science Liaison or Director of Field Medical affairs for Merck & Co., Sanofi Genzyme, and Radius health. Therapeutic areas...

Dr. Val Malika Reagon is an influential force in public health, bringing over 25 years of experience across healthcare management, global public health, and health systems strengthening. A passionate advocate for global health equity, Dr. Reagon’s work has impacted communities globally, leading to improved programmatic and health outcomes and stronger health systems. She holds a Doctorate in Public Health and has built a distinguished career, driving innovative solutions for complex public health challenges. Dr. Reagon...

PA Sandra Guzman Fineman has been in clinical practice since 1999 in the primary care specialties of pediatrics, women's health, and family medicine and has been with MBKU's School of PA Studies since its inception in 2014. PA Fineman graduated from Stanford University's Physician Assistant program. She obtained her Master of PA Studies and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Health Profession Teaching and Technology from the University of Nebraska, Omaha. PA Fineman received National Certification for...

Dr. Pernar obtained her MD from Harvard Medical School. After general surgery residency and an advanced minimally invasive and bariatric surgery fellowship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, she joined the division of minimally invasive and weight loss surgery at Boston Medical Center where she also serves as general surgery residency associate program director. She is associate professor of surgery at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Clinically, she devotes the majority of...

Allan Platt, graduated with a BS in Health Systems Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1977, a BS in Medical Science from the Emory University School of Medicine, Physician Assistant program in 1979, and a Masters of Medical Science in Career Physician Assistant from Emory in 2006. From 1984 until 2004 he was Program Coordinator, and Physician Assistant at the Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Grady Health System. This is the world's...

Dr. Thomas H. Champney earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1984. His research investigated the role of the pineal gland and its hormone melatonin on integrative physiology. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Delaware investigating reproductive physiology and then accepted a faculty position at Texas A&M University’s College of Medicine. He spent 18 years at Texas A&M University teaching anatomy,...

Francisco Alberto Tomei Torres currently works at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Francisco does research in Environmental Engineering. His most recent publication is 'Case Study: Microbial Ecology and Forensics of Chinese Drywall-Elemental Sulfur Disproportionation as Primary Generator of Hydrogen Sulfide.'

Sam Shen is Clinical Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations and Quality in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University. At Stanford Health Care, he serves in the role of Patient Safety Officer. He also directs the Administration Fellowship in the Department of Emergency Medicine. Previously he held positions as Chief of Emergency Medicine at community hospitals in Massachusetts. Dr. Shen received his B.S. from Stanford University and his MD and MBA at...

Dr. Kimberly Trotter is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Section of Rheumatology at The University of Chicago. She completed her medical degree at The University of Maryland School of Medicine and her Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at The University of Chicago. After fellowship, she continued her career at The University of Chicago as a clinical Rheumatologist with a special focus in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. She serves as the co-director for The...

Dr. Michael Mendoza was the 9th Commissioner of Public Health for Monroe County, NY and Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine, Public Health Sciences, and Nursing at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Mendoza joined the faculty at the University of Rochester in 2009 and was appointed to serve as Medical Director at Highland Family Medicine, one of the largest family medicine residency teaching practices in the country. In the...

Dr Mirvat Alasnag is the Director of the Catheterization Laboratory at the King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. She was the first female interventional cardiologist in the Gulf region and has since represented women on multiple medical committees, including the Saudi Arabian Cardiac Interventional Society Board & the EAPCI Women’s Steering Committee. She is the current ACCWIC International Working Group Chair and an SCAI WIN member.

Dr. Renee Bullock-Palmer is the Director of Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging and Director of the Women’s Heart Center at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in NJ. She's a Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA She is a multimodality imaging expert. Her other areas of clinical interest include women's heart health, cardiac amyloidosis and adult congenital heart disease. She is board certified in Adult Congenital Heart disease, Cardiovascular...

Dr. Madhulika (Mika) Varma, chief of colorectal surgery at UCSF Medical Center, specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. Her areas of expertise include colorectal and anal cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and pelvic floor disorders. She also is a specialist in treating many of these diseases using laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgical techniques. Dr. Varma is director of the Center for Pelvic Physiology, which evaluates patients with...

Dr. Lee Jones received his B.A. from Dartmouth College and M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. After completing a psychiatry residency and chief residency at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Neuropsychiatric Institute, he entered a consultation - liaison fellowship at Cornell Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center followed by a research fellowship at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). Dr. Jones has worked across the spectrum of health care, from academic medical...

Heather has been a Certified Child Life Specialist since 2009. She had worked at Denver Health and Children's Hospital Colorado. Heather has also started a special needs ministry, partnered with the non-profit Night Lights to provide free respite care for families with children with special needs, and worked in Early Intervention. Heather has a passion for working with children with different abilities, and for advocating in the community and healthcare settings. This year, Heather became...