Our Healthcare Heroes Making a Difference

Now more than ever, we are whole-heartedly impressed with our healthcare workers and speakers. After a trying year and a half of navigating an unprecedented health crisis and global pandemic, their insights into innovation and the world of healthcare have broadened. Their speaking brings you a deeper look into our healthcare systems, from customer care to administering vaccines to pandemic preparedness and the future of the medical field.

Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health

A practicing physician, Ashish is globally recognized as an expert on pandemic preparedness and response as well as health policy research and practice. He has led groundbreaking research around Ebola and is now on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response, leading national and international analysis of key issues and advising state and federal policymakers.

His keynotes discuss the national and global effects of COVID-19, the future of healthcare, pandemic preparedness, and value-based care.

Dr. Thom Mayer, Medical Director of the NFL Players Association

Thom is not only the Medical Director of the NFL Players Association, but he also has a background in Disaster Leadership. During the 9/11 attack, Dr. Mayer served as the Command Physician for the Pentagon’s rescue and recovery operation. He also served on the Inhalation Anthrax response team at the US Capitol in 2001 where his team successfully diagnosed and treated Anthrax inhalation.

After navigating the NFL through their concussion crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, his insights into leadership in times of crisis, resilience, and innovation are valuable to teams in any industry.

Dr. Ronan Tynan, World-Renowned Tenor and Paralympic Gold Medalist

Ronan is a man of many talents. In between touring the world as a member of the Irish Tenors and training for multiple events in the Paralympics, he received a degree in orthopedic sports injuries from the prestigious Trinity College. During the pandemic, he used the lapse in stage performing to administer vaccines in his home county Kilkenny, Ireland where the COVID-19 cases are the lowest in the country.

His speaking expands on his worldly experiences and even teaches his audiences to live life to the fullest and find resiliency in any situation. Until COVID-19 is at bay and he can spread his cheer through singing and speaking on stage, Ronan is sharing his message virtually as well as putting his medical degree to work to stop the spread.

Dr. Rana Awdish, Pulmonologist; Author; and Patient Advocate

Rana is a critical care physician and faculty member of Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, Michigan. She authored a memoir about her own critical illness called In Shock. Her experience has led her to take a special interest in improving empathy in the medical field through connection and communication.

In her keynotes, Rana encourages and guides her audiences to find empathy within their practice and bring back a human aspect to the world of healthcare.

Dr. Natalie Stavas, Harvard Doctor and Unexpected First Responder at the Boston Marathon Bombing

In 2013, Natalie went from running the Boston Marathon to being first responder when a terrorist bombing shook the city. Honored as an inspirational hero, she was featured in Runner’s World, The New York Times, LA Times, The New Yorker, Time, People Magazine, and The Boston Globe as “2013 Bostonian of the Year.”

She now works as a physician at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and speaks on humanitarian efforts as well as having the courage to run towards chaos.

Dr. Ted James, Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Ted is the Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Vice Chair for academic affairs at Harvard Medical School. He is passionate about patient-centered care and uses the stage to help drive transformative clinical leadership that enhances the patient’s experience and level of care.

He received a Master’s degree in healthcare management that helped him achieve numerous initiatives that improved clinical outcomes and patient experiences.