Speakers - General Sessions
Gisela Bretones-Graham
Chief Operating OfficerMiami Rescue Mission ClinicGisela Bretones-Graham
Chief Operating Officer - Miami Rescue Mission Clinic
Gisela Bretones-Graham is a Clinical Director for the Miami Rescue Mission Clinic, who works with the homeless and vulnerable population by providing access to quality healthcare at no cost. Gisela has a passion for life and a love for humanity. Gisela’s entrepreneurial spirit has led her to consulting, education, and automotive repair and restoration ventures. Gisela received formal education in both Health Sciences and Business. Gisela has a contagious enthusiasm and passionate belief in people, inspiring them to become prouder, healthier, and happier. As the Clinical Director at the Miami Rescue Mission Clinic, a non-profit, free clinic, Gisela oversees three offices in two vital counties and the organization’s operations. She is now creating significant strategic shifts to innovations in healthcare technology. Gisela Bretones-Graham was born in Santiago de Cuba and came to America at a young age. Her enthusiasm to help others was ingrained in her archaeologist father, who consistently fought for human rights. Her diverse upbringing shapes Gisela’s character today.
Isi Ikharebha Green, MPH
PresidentPhysicians CareConnectionIsi Ikharebha Green, MPH
President - Physicians CareConnection
Isi Green is the President of the Physicians CareConnection which is an affiliate of the Columbus Medical Association. Her primary responsibility is leading the effort to coordinate health care services and resources for people who are vulnerable in Central Ohio and share the value of coordinating safety net services through outcomes measurements and evaluation. Born in Dayton, Ohio in 1975, she is the daughter of Sam and Priscilla Ikharebha. Green graduated 3rd in her class from Trotwood Madison High School in 1993. Green is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and currently serves as the President of her local chapter and is the State of Ohio Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Chair of the Board. Green believes she is serving her God-given purpose by helping people. Her favorite saying is “Leadership is an opportunity to serve.” Green is a proud Alumni of THE Ohio State University (Go BUCKS!) and earned both her Bachelors of Arts in Chemistry and Masters in Public Health from this great institution!!
Nicole Lamoureux
President and CEONAFCNicole Lamoureux
President and CEO - NAFC
Nicole works daily with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics and America’s 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics and Pharmacies to ensure the medically underserved have access to affordable, quality health care. Nicole believes we all have the capability to make the world a better place, that health care is a right and not a privilege, that our country must start putting people over politics, and that together we should make sure all people, regardless of their age, sex, income, education, ethnicity, color of skin, religion, sexual orientation, or identity deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Nicole has testified before Congress, is a regular TV commentator, and has published numerous articles on the important role of America’s safety net and charitable care providers. Nicole was named by the NonProfit Times as one of the top 50 Most Influential and Powerful Nonprofit Executives in the USA. She received the Center of NonProfit EXCEL Award for excellence in Executive Non-Profit Leadership. Nicole holds a Masters Degree in American Government and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Politics from The Catholic University of America and she resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband Mark.
Speakers - Breakout Sessions
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Palazzi-Xirinachs
Director of Health ServicesTalbot House Ministries - Good Samaritan Free ClinicRev. Dr. Elizabeth Palazzi-Xirinachs
Director of Health Services - Talbot House Ministries - Good Samaritan Free Clinic
Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Palazzi-Xirinachs of Ely is the Director of Health Services for Talbot House Ministries – Good Samaritan Free Clinic in Lakeland, Florida. This free clinic provides extensive no cost medical, mental, medication, and dental services to the underserved in Polk County. Liz was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but grew up overseas in both Costa Rica and Bolivia. As a result, Liz is bilingual (English/Spanish) which allows her to interact with many of her indigent, Hispanic, and undocumented patients through culturally sensitive and compassionate care. As an ordained minister through the Assemblies of God, both her and her husband have provided interdenominational pastoral and medical care for well over 40 plus years through a variety of stateside and overseas missionary endeavors. Liz’s educational background includes seminary training with a pastoral and missions major and a teaching degree minor through Zion Bible University, a bachelor’s and master’s degree through the University of South Florida, a Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) through Florida Southern College, and her original medical training through La Universidad Mayor de San Simon in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Fred Bauermeister
Co-Founder and Executive DirectorFree Clinic of Simi ValleyFred Bauermeister
Co-Founder and Executive Director - Free Clinic of Simi Valley
Fred Bauermeister is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, which has provided medical, dental, legal, and counseling services to individuals and families regardless of their ability to pay since its inception in 1971. He also co-founded and serves on the Executive Board of the California Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, an organization representing free clinics across California. From 2008 to 2017, Fred was a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC), where he also served as Treasurer for 3.5 years. In addition to his leadership in healthcare, Fred is a member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Non-Profit Leadership at California Lutheran University and the Leadership Simi Valley Steering Committee, where he oversees Non-Profit Day. His contributions have earned him several honors, including being named to the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Who’s Who in Nonprofits & Foundations in 2017 and 2018 and receiving the Legacy Award from the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce. Notably, Fred had the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch on January 16th, 2002.
Maureen Tomoschuk
President and CEOCommunity Volunteers in MedicineMaureen Tomoschuk
President and CEO - Community Volunteers in Medicine
Maureen joined Community Volunteers in Medicine in 2008 as the second president of the free healthcare center serving low-income, uninsured working families. She came to the position with more than 25 years of extensive operational and management experience in non-profit and healthcare organizations. Immediately prior to joining CVIM, Maureen served as Senior Director of Emergency Services at the Southeastern PA Chapter of the American Red Cross where she was responsible for the overall administration and operations of Emergency Services and directly managed over 3,000 staff and volunteers for delivery of services in a five county 1,700 square mile territory with a population of 3.9 million. Maureen holds a Bachelors of Social Work degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Masters of Social work from Rutgers, state university of New Jersey. As President and Chief Executive Officer of CVIM, Maureen provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization, works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure fiscal sustainability, and ensures the relevance and effectiveness of the clinic as it relates to community needs and the changing healthcare environment.
Abu Raihan, MBBS, DO, MPH, MBA
DirectorShifa ClinicsAbu Raihan, MBBS, DO, MPH, MBA
Director - Shifa Clinics
Abu Raihan, a seasoned public health specialist, has a rich background in global and national healthcare delivery systems. His journey began as an Ophthalmologist in Bangladesh, where he served as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology. His passion for public health led him to transition to Public Health Ophthalmology, a field he further honed with a Master’s degree in Public Health and a Fellowship in Public Health Ophthalmology from Johns Hopkins University. He also pursued a Master’s in Business Administration. This career progression underscores his commitment to public health, focusing on health strategy, management, and advocacy.
Dr. Raihan worked at ORBIS International (www.orbis.org) for over twenty years in various capacities, including Staff Ophthalmologist of its flying eye hospital, Bangladesh Country Director, Asia Program Advisor, and Regional Program Director in Asia. From 2012 to 2016, he was the Regional Co-chair for South East Asia for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) (www.iapb.org). He currently serves as the Director of Shifa Clinics in Georgia and the Assistant Director of Health Services at ICNA Relief USA (www.icnarelief.org). Under his transformative leadership, Shifa Clinics has expanded its critical services for underprivileged communities, improved care quality, and increased grant projects and partnerships. Since 2020, he has been an Advisor to NAFC’s multiple working groups.
Noor Al-Shibli, MD
OB/GYN Physician; Emory Maternal Fetal Medicine FellowShifa ClinicNoor Al-Shibli, MD
OB/GYN Physician; Emory Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellow - Shifa Clinic
Dr. Noor Al-Shibli received her B.S. in Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Tennessee. She then received her M.D. from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN, and completed her OB/GYN residency training at Duke University in Durham, NC. She is currently completing her subspecialty fellowship training in Maternal Fetal Medicine in the Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics at Emory University. Her clinical and research interests include maternal nutrition, infectious diseases in pregnancy, and community health.
As an undergraduate and medical student, Noor was involved in various community health efforts, including volunteering in public school clinics with Clinic Vols through the University of Tennessee, traveling to clinics with Remote Area Medical (RAM) in rural Tennessee, and global relief trips with Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS). As an OB/GYN resident, she participated in a global health program through the Duke Global Health Institute and completed a clinical rotation in Tanzania. Noor joined Shifa Clinic in Duluth, GA, as a volunteer physician in January of 2024 with the debut of the Women’s Clinic and cervical cancer screening program. Her passions include serving underserved communities and empowering women through health education. In her free time, Noor enjoys spending time with family, hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Sara Nichols
Executive DirectorOpen Arms Free Clinic, Inc.Sara Nichols
Executive Director - Open Arms Free Clinic, Inc.
Sara Nichols is the executive director of Open Arms Free Clinic, Inc. in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Ms. Nichols holds a master’s degree in public health with 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and excels in grant writing, program development and evaluation, and collaboration building. As a change-agent who inspires a vision and turns it into reality, Ms. Nichols has been successfully leading organizations by building consensus and inspiring others to move forward with strategic priorities. Nichols has demonstrated success with the investment of time, talent, and enormous positive energy to improve systems for the health and wellness of vulnerable communities. OAFC is the first free clinic in rural Walworth County and opened in 2012. OAFC has achieved the Wisconsin Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Gold Standard of Excellence and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics Gold Standard, and now operates with a $2M budget.
Dr. Wallace Nozile
Board-Certified DermatologistDr. Wallace Nozile
Board-Certified Dermatologist -
Dr. Wallace Nozile is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in the prevention, detection, and treatment of skin cancer, including Mohs micrographic surgery, as well as other disorders of the skin, hair, and nails. His formal education and training include:
- University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) – BS, Microbiology and Cell Sciences (cum laude)
- University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) – MS, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (summa cum laude)
- University of Florida College of Medicine (Gainesville, FL) – Doctor of Medicine
- Louisiana State University Health (New Orleans, LA) – Traditional Medicine Internship
- University of Florida College of Medicine (Gainesville, FL) – Dermatology Residency
Dr. Nozile has published several articles in scholarly journals and has presented at national and regional conferences, such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and the Florida Society for Dermatologic Surgery (FSDS) annual meetings. During residency, Dr. Nozile spent extensive time training at the Veterans Medical Center as well as at the University Hospital. During this time, he gained extensive surgical experience, including Mohs micrographic surgery, in the Dermatological Surgical Units of both departments. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS). Dr. Nozile lives in the Atlanta area with his wife. In his spare time, he enjoys fitness, reading, cooking, spending time with family, and hiking.
Melissa Riba
Director of Research and EvaluationCHRTMelissa Riba
Director of Research and Evaluation - CHRT
Melissa Riba is director of research and evaluation at CHRT. She has more than 20 years of experience conducting applied research to inform policy and program improvements, including program evaluation, need assessments, survey research and equitable evaluation frameworks. She is also skilled in stakeholder engagement and collaborative research partnerships. Her areas of expertise include behavioral and health care integration, maternal and reproductive health, social determinants of health and health equity. as lead for CHRT’s Research and Evaluation Team, Melissa directs key projects such as the evaluation of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration project for the state of Michigan, as well as numerous behavioral health integration projects involving primary care and criminal justice. In 2009, Melissa began CHRT’s first statewide survey of healthcare consumers, Cover Michigan, which tracks insurance status, access to care, health status, social needs, and other timely topics. In 2012, the Michigan Physician Survey was launched to collect and track data on physician experience, impact of policy change on practice environment, stress/burnout, and timely topics impacting the practice environment in Michigan.
In addition to her role at CHRT, Melissa is a lecturer within the UM School of Public Health where she teaches a course on health policy and advocacy, in addition to numerous guest lectures about applied evaluation approaches. She currently serves on the Ingham County Racial Equity Taskforce, as well as the Housing Trust Fund.
Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Philosophy from California State University, Fresno and her master’s degree in Sociology from Michigan State University.
Tija Danzig
Senior Director of US ProgramsAmericaresTija Danzig
Senior Director of US Programs - Americares
Tija Danzig is the Senior Director of US Programs for Americares, overseeing health programming that improves climate and disaster resilience, helps communities recover from disasters, and provides critical infection prevention and control educational resources for safety net healthcare providers serving low-income, uninsured, and under-insured patients.
Chinnie Ukachukwu, MPH
Senior Director, Quality Improvement and EquityNational Minority Quality ForumChinnie Ukachukwu, MPH
Senior Director, Quality Improvement and Equity - National Minority Quality Forum
Chinonso “Chinnie” Ukachukwu, MPH, is a seasoned Public Health Professional with nearly 20 years of leadership in healthcare. As the Senior Director of Quality Improvement and Equity at the National Minority Quality Forum’s Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality and Equity (SHC), she leads initiatives to boost health awareness and address disparities in underserved communities across the country. Chinnie directs impactful projects for clinical teams and community leaders, focusing on effective and equitable health interventions.
She holds a Master of Public Health from Southern New Hampshire University, which has been pivotal in her career. Previously, as a Chronic Disease Manager at MetroHealth Clinic DC, she helped bridge care gaps for chronic conditions like diabetes and HIV and developed the “Let’s Get Moving” program with the DC Department of Health. This program, targeting adult obesity, saw 60% of participants lose at least 10 pounds in a year. Chinnie is also a wife and mother of three, enjoying family time and travel.
Gerald B. Stephanz, Jr., MD
Medical DirectorOlympic Peninsula Community ClinicGerald B. Stephanz, Jr., MD
Medical Director - Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic
Gerald B. Stephanz Jr., MD, FACP “retired” to the Olympic Peninsula in 2015 after nearly 30 years of clinical practice of Internal Medicine and Nephrology. He has been involved with OPCC as clinical volunteer, board member, donor, medical director and in political advocacy. Dr. Stephanz earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas, completed his Internal Medicine Residency and Chief Residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita and Nephrology Fellowship at the University of Florida College of Medicine. In 2016, he decided to show up at a county homeless shelter to do a medical clinic.
Breanna Lathrop, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC
CEO-electGood Samaritan Health CenterBreanna Lathrop, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC
CEO-elect - Good Samaritan Health Center
Breanna Lathrop, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC is the chief operating officer and nurse practitioner at the Good Samaritan Health Center in Atlanta, GA where she provides executive leadership and direct patient care. She has spent over fifteen years providing health care to individuals and families who lack health insurance. She earned her doctor of nursing practice from Georgia Southern University, master of nursing and master of public health from Emory University, and bachelor of arts in nursing from St. Olaf College. She writes, speaks, teaches and provides consulting services on the topics of health equity and social determinants of health. She is the co-author of How Neighborhoods Make Us Sick: Restoring Health and Wellness to Our Communities and is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader.
Avonte Jackson
Executive DirectorGrace ClinicAvonte Jackson
Executive Director - Grace Clinic
Motivated by faith, family, and a commitment to service, Avonte Jackson has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. In 2015, she joined Grace Clinic, the Tri-Cities’ only free clinic. After nearly 9 years as Clinic Director, Avonte recently transitioned into the role of Executive Director. In addition to her role at the clinic, she also serves on several boards and committees, including her role as Treasurer for the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics. Avonte has been married for nearly 30 years to Kedrich, a small-business owner, and they are parents of two adult children. As eloquently stated by Martin Luther King Jr., Avonte firmly believes that everyone can be great because greatness comes from service.
Jennifer Comerford
Senior Patient Safety AdvisorECRIJennifer Comerford
Senior Patient Safety Advisor - ECRI
Jennifer Comerford joined ECRI as a risk management advisor in 2015 and was promoted to patient safety advisor in 2017. She is also a licensed occupational therapist in New Jersey and Pennsylvania with 25 years of experience in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, home care, subacute/long-term care, and schools. Immediately prior to joining ECRI, Ms. Comerford served as an independent consultant providing compliance analysis, research and writing, data abstraction, accreditation survey support, and web-based education to small and midsize healthcare organizations. Previously, she led a team of 25 licensed rehabilitation professionals for Moorestown Visiting Nurses and Hospice in southern New Jersey for several years, and she wrote medical policy for Independence Blue Cross, a major regional provider of health insurance, for two years.
Portia Newman, PhD
Associate Vice President, Education and EngagementChartis Center for Health Equity & BelongingPortia Newman, PhD
Associate Vice President, Education and Engagement - Chartis Center for Health Equity & Belonging
Portia Newman, PhD, is the Associate Vice President of Education and Engagement at Chartis Just Health Collective. She brings more than 10 years of educational leadership, learning design, and strategy experience to the firm, with a particular focus on the intersection of race, gender, and culture, and how leadership theory and practice inform organizational culture, learning, and change. As a consultant, Portia has also served as a strategic program partner, facilitating equity-focused initiatives critical to scale and advancing organizational efforts.
Byron C. Scott, MD, MBA
Direct ReliefChief Operating OfficerByron C. Scott, MD, MBA
Direct Relief - Chief Operating Officer
Byron Scott is the Chief Operating Officer at Direct Relief, a humanitarian medical aid organization that distributes pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies in the U.S. and globally. He is an Adjunct, Assistant Professor at Jefferson University, College of Population and an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Isenberg School of Management. He previously had physician executive roles at IBM Watson Health and Truven Health Analytics for 7 years. Prior to joining Truven Health, Dr. Scott worked for EmCare, a physician practice management company, for over 20 years in various leadership and executive roles. He practiced emergency medicine for 25 years, including various leadership roles within hospitals.
He received his B.S. from the University of California, Los Angeles, M.D. from the University of California, San Diego, and MBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and certified in Healthcare Quality Management.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Accuray, a medical device company; Providence Health Plan; and Board Trustee for Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. He is an Editorial Board member of the American Health and Drug Benefits Journal and the American Journal of Medical Quality.
Amanda Missey
President & CEOBergen Volunteer Medical InitiativeAmanda Missey
President & CEO - Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative
Amanda Missey has more than 30 years of program development, fundraising and administrative experience in the not-for-profit sector. In May, 2014, she became the President and CEO of Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative, a free clinic serving more than 1,000 uninsured adults. Under her leadership, the organization has grown significantly to serve more people in need; in early 2025, a second clinic – BVMI@UnityHealth – will open in Garfield as part of a collaborative designed to meet the health and wellness needs of people in southwestern Bergen County.
Previously, she spent 18 years at the Bergen Volunteer Center, where she founded Bergen LEADS, a civic leadership program for adults. She is a Leadership New Jersey 2006 Fellow and past-president of the Hackensack Rotary Club. She serves on the boards of the Johnson Public Library, Greater Bergen Community Action, National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Bergen County Workforce Development Board. Amanda holds an MBA from Texas A&M Commerce.
Amanda lives in Hackensack with Andy, her husband of 41 years, Roscoe, her pandemic rescue hound, and three cats. She enjoys spending time with her adult children and new grandson, reading, doing crossword puzzles and word games, rooting for the NY Mets, and spending time on the beach.
Heidi Schutz, BSMT(ASCP), MLS
Manager, Laboratory ProgramsHeart to Heart InternationalHeidi Schutz, BSMT(ASCP), MLS
Manager, Laboratory Programs - Heart to Heart International
Heidi Schutz brings over two decades of strong clinical laboratory experience to her role as Laboratory Program Manager with Heart to Heart International, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Lenexa, KS. As an ASCP-registered Medical Laboratory Scientist, she has worked both in the outpatient clinic setting and the hospital care system, most recently supervising all aspects of point of care testing within a major university healthcare organization. She is well-versed in the regulatory guidelines of laboratory testing and the practical steps needed to successfully set up and run a point of care laboratory. Through professional insights and relatable anecdotes, Heidi will help attendees discover the reality of working within regulatory requirements and good laboratory practices as well as the benefits that POC lab testing can provide to clinicians and their patients. Attendees will come away with the information necessary in deciding if pursuing POC lab testing is right for them.
Tena Tiruneh, BS Chem, MLS, MPM, MHRM
Director, Community HealthHeart to Heart InternationalTena Tiruneh, BS Chem, MLS, MPM, MHRM
Director, Community Health - Heart to Heart International
Tenagashaw (Tena) Tiruneh is currently the Community Health Programs Director at Heart to Heart International (HHI), a not-for-profit headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. HHI works to strengthen communities through improving health access, providing humanitarian development and administering crisis relief worldwide. Tena leads the programs department’s effort with HHI overseeing program initiatives from installing point-of-care testing capabilities in member clinics of the National Associations of Free and Charitable Clinics. He also provides consultant services with the African Consortium and CDC-Atlanta on PHIA project activities in Africa. Most recently, Tena created a community health department in response to the COVID pandemic providing COVID testing and vaccination efforts to vulnerable communities in the greater Kansas City area. Post COVID he has focused the community health department’s effort to continue its work alongside community-based organizations working to expand health care access to the underserved.
Sophie Parson, MA
Executive DirectorAugusta Regional Dental ClinicSophie Parson, MA
Executive Director - Augusta Regional Dental Clinic
Sophie Parson, Executive Director of the Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, joined the clinic’s team in March 2021. A native of France, she fell in love with the nonprofit sector when relocating to Virginia after a career in international audit. She holds 2 Masters’ degrees in Corporate Finance and International Relations and has past experiences in development and grant writing. Under her leadership, the ARDC quadrupled the number of patients served every year and expanded its school-based oral health program to reach over 1,000 kids yearly. Sophie also spearheaded several initiatives towards more inclusivity at the ARDC, including the Center for Inclusive Dentistry project.
Wafa Duhaim, DrPH
Development and ResearchAmeriCorps at a Community ClinicWafa Duhaim, DrPH
Development and Research - AmeriCorps at a Community Clinic
Wafa Duhaim, DrPH, MA is a public health professional with expertise in public health program development and evaluation. Her research and work focuses on studying and addressing the factors that influence the health of low-income communities and evaluating public health programs. She committed one year in providing services to a community-based clinic to support the development process at the clinic through grant writing, volunteer coordination, and organizational development.
T Scott Brandon
CEOOlympic Peninsula Community ClinicT Scott Brandon
CEO - Olympic Peninsula Community Clinic
Scott has been involved with OPCC since 2007, first as a donor and volunteer, then advisor, board member, employee, and CEO. In 2016 he introduced programs that address social determinants of health, changing the service delivery model while expanding the services provided by the clinic to better meet the needs of the community. He provides technical assistance across the country to clinics, organizations, and programs that are looking for ways to change their delivery model and better meet patients’ needs.
Suzanne Roberts, M., Ed.
Chief Executive OfficerVirginia B. Andes Volunteer Community ClinicSuzanne Roberts, M., Ed.
Chief Executive Officer - Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic
Over the past 15 years, Suzanne has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, a non-profit community organization that provides no cost medical, pharmacy, and wellness services to the under-served in Charlotte County, Florida. Suzanne is an energetic professional with unlimited desire for growth and personal fulfillment through making a significant difference in organizations, youth, and families. Suzanne’s professional history includes 37+ years of experience in the field of human services and healthcare, with increasing executive management responsibilities, including national assignments with multiple honors and recognition. Suzanne received a Master of Education degree in 1991 from the University of North Florida and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology & Minor in Music from Palm Beach Atlantic College in 1983.
Rusty Curington, PharmD, BC-ADM
Vice President of PharmacySt. Vincent de Paul Charitable PharmacyRusty Curington, PharmD, BC-ADM
Vice President of Pharmacy - St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy
Dr. Rusty Curington, PharmD, BC-ADM is the Vice President of Pharmacy for St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree and residency training from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy where he serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Pharmacy. Dr. Curington manages three locations of the Charitable Pharmacy which has dispensed over 800,000 prescriptions for free to Southwest Ohio’s neighbors in need. He currently serves as a Board member for Ohio’s Charitable Healthcare Network and NAFC’s Charitable Pharmacies of America. For his work in developing innovative, free clinical services, Dr. Curington was awarded the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 2022 Health Care Heroes Award and recognized in Cincinnati’s Forty Under 40 Class of 2022.
Kat Mastrangelo
Executive DirectorVolunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the CascadesKat Mastrangelo
Executive Director - Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades
Kat Mastrangelo is the Executive Director of the Volunteers in Medicine, Clinic of the Cascades in Bend, OR. After serving for 3 years as a volunteer, she became Director in 2008, and is in her 17th year of leadership at the clinic. Prior to her work at VIM, she has held jobs doing everything from village water projects in Western Africa to budgeting for local government and hospital strategic planning. Leading and visioning through challenges and change is what keeps her job interesting.
Jake Lyons, CFRE, CNP
President and CEOPRIDE PhilanthropyJake Lyons, CFRE, CNP
President and CEO - PRIDE Philanthropy
As a passionate educator and performer, Jake brings a dynamic perspective to his role at PRIDE Philanthropy. With a history in music and performance, Jake has not only taught at the University of Georgia but also performed at Super Bowl LIII with Maroon 5.
Jason Koma, MHA
Executive DirectorCharitable Healthcare NetworkJason Koma, MHA
Executive Director - Charitable Healthcare Network
Jason Koma is the executive director of the Charitable Healthcare Network (CHN), a statewide organization whose mission is to strengthen and ensure high quality health care for people who are most vulnerable in Ohio. Prior to joining CHN in August 2022, Koma served in a leadership capacity at Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, where he held various roles over the last decade, including leading government relations and regional development for the health system. He also served as a lead member of Mount Carmel’s COVID-19 response team and helped lead on the organization’s public vaccine distribution. Prior to joining Mount Carmel, Koma worked for the Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) in various capacities and spent nearly a decade as an award-winning broadcast journalist in Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. An alumnus of Ohio University, Koma has an undergraduate degree in journalism and a masters of health administration.
Heather Kersey
Chief Development OfficerGood Samaritan Health CenterHeather Kersey
Chief Development Officer - Good Samaritan Health Center
Heather Kersey joined The Good Samaritan Health Center as the Chief Development Officer in May 2021. Previously a Director of Development at Emory School of Medicine and Wellroot Family Services, Heather has more than twelve years of development, fundraising, marketing, financial operations and event planning experience. After graduating with degrees in Biology and Chemistry from Shorter College, Heather began her healthcare and fundraising career as the first Director of Development at MercyMed of Columbus, another faith-based primary care clinic for the uninsured and underserved in Columbus, Georgia. It was with MercyMed that Heather came to realize her deep passion for promoting healthcare access and equity by building relationships between those with abundance and those in need. In the years since, Heather has raised more than $55M for causes surrounding healthcare, education, and child welfare. Heather and her husband, Grant, reside in Tucker, Georgia with their two young sons.
Ano Kashumba
Executive DirectorPioneer Medical Foundation ClinicAno Kashumba
Executive Director - Pioneer Medical Foundation Clinic
Ano Kashumba, the Executive Director of Pioneer Medical Foundation Clinic, is a visionary leader whose guidance has ushered in an era of remarkable growth for the organization. With a background as both a nurse practitioner and administrator, Ano has seamlessly blended her medical expertise with her managerial acumen to drive impactful initiatives.
Kevin Wilson, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Founder and DirectorLander Free Medical ClinicKevin Wilson, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Founder and Director - Lander Free Medical Clinic
Kevin Wilson, MSN, RN, NE-BC is the founder and director of the Lander Free Medical Clinic in Lander, WY. Kevin started his professional career in the United States Navy Submarine Service as a Fire Control Technician on a Ballistic Missile Submarine. While in the Navy Kevin earned an Associates in Electronics Technology, after the Navy he earned a Bachelors Degree in History and another in Environmental Studies while working as a Park Ranger in Florida. Kevin left the Park Service to work for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Lander, WY where he earned his Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician Certification and joined the Fremont County Search and Rescue Team. After two years with NOLS he earned his Associates in Nursing through Central Wyoming College and worked for the Wyoming Conservation Corps and U.S. Forest Service as a trail crew leader. After nursing school he cared for patients in an intermediate care facility for the intellectually disabled and as a perioperative nurse at SageWest Hospital. Seeing the disparities suffered by his low income neighbors in a rural hospital, he teamed up with physician colleagues and other concerned local citizens and founded the Lander Free Medical Clinic in November 2021. He earned his Masters in Nursing Leadership and Management through the University of Mary in December 2021. Kevin continues to serve on the Fremont County Search and Rescue Team where he provides wilderness medical care, and on the Team Rubicon International Medical Team where he has deployed to Haiti and Guatemala to provide primary and emergency nursing care. Kevin is also the board chair of ServeWyoming, the Wyoming State Service Commission managing AmeriCorps programming in Wyoming. Kevin lives with his wife Molly and sons Tommy and Yosheen Li in Lander, WY.
Neha Dhavalikar, PharmD
Safety Net Health Equity FellowNOVA ScriptsCentral & American Pharmacists Association (APhA)Neha Dhavalikar, PharmD
Safety Net Health Equity Fellow - NOVA ScriptsCentral & American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
Dr. Neha Dhavalikar, PharmD is a graduate of The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy where she earned her Doctorate in Pharmacy with an area of concentration in PharmacoAnalytics. She is currently completing a 1-year Safety-Net Health Equity fellowship with NOVA ScriptsCentral and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). As part of the fellowship, she is working with communities in Northern Virginia and learning population health strategies to improve access and affordability for underserved patients.
Alanna Suda
Senior Vice PresidentMWWAlanna Suda
Senior Vice President - MWW
Alanna serves as the Senior Vice President leading MWW’s Government Relations practice in Washington, D.C. Working with associations, healthcare entities, nonprofits, corporations, and higher education institutions, Ms. Suda utilizes her expertise in monitoring the federal landscape and leveraging the legislative and regulatory processes to achieve client goals. Ms. Suda has over 25 years of experience helping clients engage with the federal government to shape policies and funding streams that achieve their desired results. Before joining MWW in 2008, Ms. Suda worked on Capitol Hill and at Jorden Burt LLP, where she led the firm’s appropriations and higher education practices. Ms. Suda is involved in a broad range of national, Washington-based organizations and coalitions, including Women in Government Relations, where she served two terms as the co-chair of the Health and Social Policies Task Force. Ms. Suda is a highly effective advocate who is passionate about using her government and communications skills to give clients a stronger voice in our nation’s capital.
Se-a Han, PharmD, RPh
Population Health PharmacistNOVA ScriptsCentralSe-a Han, PharmD, RPh
Population Health Pharmacist - NOVA ScriptsCentral
Dr. Se-A Han, PharmD is a Population Health Pharmacist at NOVA ScriptsCentral where she works collaboratively with other team members and health care providers to develop and implement programs to improve uninsured patients’ health outcomes. She received her Doctorate in Pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University where she also earned her Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology.
Shabnum Anwari, PharmD, RPh
Population Health PharmacistNOVA ScriptsCentralShabnum Anwari, PharmD, RPh
Population Health Pharmacist - NOVA ScriptsCentral
Dr. Shabnum Anwari, PharmD is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she earned her Doctorate in Pharmacy as well as a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Addiction. She is completing a 1 year fellowship with NOVA ScriptsCentral and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) as the first Safety-Net Health Equity Fellow. One primary focus of her fellowship has been improving health literacy and mental health awareness in the immigrant and refugee population.
Poster Presenters
Nevil Khurana
Clinic and Research CoordinatorAmigos Medicos Free ClinicNevil Khurana
Clinic and Research Coordinator - Amigos Medicos Free Clinic
Nevil Khurana is a 3rd year MD/PhD at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit, MI, and a Clinic and Research Coordinator for the Amigos Medicos Free Clinic which has primarily served the underserved Hispanic population of metro Detroit. Currently based out of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, through health fairs, vaccination drives, and community outreach efforts, the Amigos Medicos Clinic is to provide health equity for all.
Emily Draper, BA
Third-Year Medical Student, Executive DirectorUniversity of Florida Equal Access Clinic NetworkEmily Draper, BA
Third-Year Medical Student, Executive Director - University of Florida Equal Access Clinic Network
Emily Draper is a third year medical student at the University of Florida who serves as the Executive Director of Projects at the Equal Access Clinic.
Latha Varghese, MSN, RN, NP-C
Executive DirectorSocial Welfare Board of the County of Buchanan doing business as Stuber Health CenterLatha Varghese, MSN, RN, NP-C
Executive Director - Social Welfare Board of the County of Buchanan doing business as Stuber Health Center
Latha Varghese is the new Executive Director for the Social Welfare Board of the County of Buchanan doing business as Stuber Health Center. She recently took the position in Feb 2024. Latha worked as a nurse practitioner at the clinic for 6 years before this new position. She also teaches undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students at the local Missouri Western State University. Latha is a PhD candidate and her research focus is on trauma-informed care.
Angus Chatham, BA
Second-Year Medical StudentUniversity of Florida College of MedicineAngus Chatham, BA
Second-Year Medical Student - University of Florida College of Medicine
A. Hayes Chatham is a second year medical student at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He is an officer at the 7th Day Primary Care Clinic, a branch of the Equal Access Clinic Network in Gainesville, Florida where he volunteers alongside his wife. His work at the clinic has primarily focused on specialty care referrals and connecting patients with community resources. In his spare time, he enjoys running, reading and college football.
Cassandra D’Amico, MS2
Director of OperationsCARES Student-Run Free Medical ClinicCassandra D’Amico, MS2
Director of Operations - CARES Student-Run Free Medical Clinic
Cassandra D’Amico is a second-year medical student at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) currently interested in pursuing surgery with an emphasis on global/population health. She is originally from Montreal, Canada and moved to Greenville, SC in 2010 where she attended and received her B.S. from USC Upstate. She currently serves as the Director of Operations for the MUSC CARES Clinic, where she oversees the clinic’s day-to-day operations.
Kaitlin Pyrz, BS
Third Year Medical StudentAU/UGA Medical PartnershipKaitlin Pyrz, BS
Third Year Medical Student - AU/UGA Medical Partnership
Katie Pyrz is a third year medical school student at the AU/UGA Medical Partnership in Athens, GA. She attended the University of Georgia for undergrad, where she graduated with a degree in Mathematics. Now pursuing medicine at the Medical Partnership where she is interested in OB/GYN and orthopedic surgery. As part of the Medical Partnership curriculum, sees patients at the Athens Free Clinic at Clarke Central High School under the guidance of Dr. Kate Meixner, MD. The Athens Free Clinic is a free and low-cost primary health care clinic, with services delivered to area communities with barriers to accessing health care. The goal is to reach uninsured and underinsured patients who have difficulty accessing primary and continuity in medical care due to socioeconomic barriers such as transportation.
Zaina Kret
Medical StudentThe University of Toledo College of MedicineZaina Kret
Medical Student - The University of Toledo College of Medicine
Volunteering my time at the CommunityCare Clinic has been instrumental in understanding the role of social resources in the lives of our patients. I have become knowledgable on the unique resources our patients require, and the best way to address health inequities in our communities. I continue to look for ways to bridge the gap for patients who frequent our clinic, and how to best serve the greater Toledo area hoping to extrapolate all of my knowledge to serve my future patients as a physician.
Andrew Fritz, BSPS
Previous Director of Clinical Pharmacy ServicesCommunityCare Clinic and University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesAndrew Fritz, BSPS
Previous Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services - CommunityCare Clinic and University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Andrew Fritz, BSPS, is a 2025 PharmD/MBA candidate from The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and College of Business. Andrew’s current extracurricular involvement consists of being the regent of Kappa Psi’s Beta Lambda chapter, being a teaching assistant for pharmacy skills lab, being the director of finances for IPHO, and being a member of Phi Lambda Sigma and Rho Chi. Most notably, Andrew had the pleasure of serving on the CommunityCare Clinic’s board of directors as the Director of Clinical Pharmacy Services over this past year and created the foundation of the patient assistance program service. His goal is to start, manage, and/or direct a student run, charitable clinic in the future.