NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RURAL & MINORITY HEALTH
Agenda
(*Tentative)
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DAY ONE
​​Tuesday, November 18
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TIME SESSION (All sessions will be held onsite at Duquesne University Student Union Ballroom unless otherwise noted).
Transitioning live music for conference sessions provided by Musician Linwood M. Smith Jr, DMin, MDiv, BS, from PA, and the Tri-State PA, OH, & WV themed music playlist created and provided by Student Logan Eisenhart, CNP, DMP(c) from OH)
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7:30 a.m. Set-Up Exhibits & Posters setup onsite 11/18 by 8:30 a.m. and teardown no later than Wednesday, 11/19 by 4:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. Registration and Exhibits Opens
Continental Breakfast - Networking
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Emcee: Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
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8:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Rural Community Voice in Health and Transforming Health Innovation, and in the Age of AI, Human-Centered Artificial Superintelligence
Mission of NIRMH & Acknowledgements, Purpose of the Symposium
Eugene J. Lengerich, VMD, MS
NIRMH Founding Member, Executive Leadership
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Kimberly Cleveland, PhD, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) Immediate Past President, Nurses on Board Coalition Board Chair Emeritus and Co-Chair of the Value of Nurses and Board Committee, Ohio
​ Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Past President, DJK Legal in Michigan and Ohio
Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
David J. Dausey, PhD, EdD
Executive Vice President and Provost, Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
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8:50 a.m. Keynote Speakers
Nancy Mannion, DNP, RN, CEN, FAEN
Chair of Nurses on Boards Coalition, President, NMB Global Leadership, LLC,, and Past President, Emergency Nurses
Association, Madison WI
Leda Kloudas, PhD, MS in BioMed. Eng., MS in Chem. Eng.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of Undergraduate Research at Duquesne University, PA
Garett Craig, MS, BS, BSN, RN, VF
Nurse Engineer, Application Consultant at Brainlab, Pennsylvania
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Continuing Education Programming
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9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Disability in Rural Health
Moderator: Philip M. Alberti, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Senior Director, Health Equity Research &
Policy, Washington, DC, and the Founding Director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice, USA.
Gary C. Norman, Esq.
Past State Civil Rights Chair in Maryland, Adjunct Law Professor at Cleveland State University, College of Law in OH, & Past Member of the Multi-Sector Partner Group, Center for Health Justice at the American Association of Medical Colleges
Vanessa Rastović, Esq
Disability Advocate in Rural America for Oral Health, Individualized Healthcare Access, and Policy, USA
Sherri Landis
Executive Director at Arc of Pennsylvania, Disability Health Action Network (DHAN)
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10:30 - 11 a.m. Networking and Break
Coffee, Drinks, Snacks & Exhibits and Posters
​11:00 – 12:00 p.m. National Distinguished Speakers – National Impact
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Debbie Dillon, DNP, RN, CRNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, CHFN, FAANP, FAAN
Clinical Associate Professor, Director AG-ACNP Program, Duquesne University School of Nursing, Pennsylvania
Oralia G. Dominic, PhD, MA, MS in BBH, MS in Nutr
Bio-Behavioral Health Scientist, NIH NCI Fellow, Cancer and Co-morbid Diabetes Researcher, Medical Policy Analysts, and
Founder and President of National Institute of Rural and Minority Health, Pennsylvania
Zana Ross, DrPH Candidate, BASc
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
Kimberly Cleveland, PHD, JD, MSN, RN, FAONL, C-MBC, C-MPC
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) Immediate Past President, Nurses on Board Coalition Board Chair Emeritus and Co-Chair of the Value of Nurses and Board Committee, Ohio, USA
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12:00 – 1:30 p.m. National Distinguished Speaker Luncheon
Julie McCulloh Nair PhD, PHNA-BC, CCRE, Professor, School of Nursing, West Chester University, PA; Nurse Scientist, &
Honorary Research Fellow, USA and Scotland
James Benedict, PhD, MDiv, STM, DMin
Scholar in Residence Center for Global Health Ethics, Duquesne University
Philip M. Alberti, PhD
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Senior Director, Health Equity Research & Policy, Washington, DC, and
the Founding Director of the AAMC Center for Health Justice, USA.
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1:30 – 2:30 p.m. One Rural Health - Farming Common Interactions and Key Health Concerns in Rural Health
Moderator: Eugene Lengerich, VMD, MS, Professor, Public Health Sciences & Family and Community Medicine Penn State
University, Pennsylvania
Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) Past President, DJK Legal in Michigan and Ohio
Brianna Sheppard, PhD
Director of West Virginia Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), West Virginia
Megan Govindan, PhD, MPH, MS, RDN, LDN
Research Scientist at West Virginia University – Institute for Community and Rural Health, West Virginia
Julian Feliciano, ADCJ
Office Manager/Outreach Coordinator at Keystone Health Agricultural Worker Program, Pennsylvania
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2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Networking and Break
Coffee, Drinks, Snacks & Exhibits and Posters
3:00 -4:00 p.m. The Role and Function of Healthcare AI in Rural Health, and Cybersecurity in Rural Hospitals
Moderator: Logan Eisenhart, CNP, DMP (c), Kent State University, Nursing Department, Stark Campus, and Cleveland Clinic, Hematology/Oncology Department, Ohio
John Kalafut, PhD
Chief AI Officer, Asher Informatics, Pennsylvania
José de Arimatéia da Cruz, PhD, BA, MA in PS/PP, MS in CJ, MPH, MA in PC&L MPH
National Cybersecurity Army War College Center for Strategic Leadership Homeland Defense and Security Issues, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and United States
Wenqi Zhou, PhD
Associate Professor in Information Systems and Technology, Managing Director of Viragh Institute for Business Ethics, PwC
Alumni Faculty Fellow at Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
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4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Healthcare AI & Innovation in Inclusive Healthcare, Management in Rural Communities Empowerment Presentations
Moderator: Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Cancer Survivorship and Rehabilitation Researcher, Senior Director
Survivorship and Wellness @ American Cancer Society, Independence, West Virginia
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My Story- How Healthcare Devices Help People with Diabetes in Sports in America
Kendall Simmons (hybrid)
American Athlete, Two-time NFL Superbowl Champion, World Diabetes Day Champion and Advocate, United States
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Healthcare Innovation – Pathways to Creating Better Solutions for Rural Health
Max Fedor
Healthcare Startup Executive
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How Systems Engineering and Healthcare Informatics Across Industries Help Improve Quality and Product
Development in America, and Rural Areas
Stephanie Lake, BS in Engineering Sci with a Minor in NTS, MSA with focus in MSHA.
CEO, Subcomponents Plus, Pennsylvania
The Power of Environment in Shaping Rural Health
Daisha K. Little, MPH, DrPH Student
School of Community Health & Policy Morgan State University, Maryland, and Associate Project Manager at the
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, Maryland
5:00 – 6:45 p.m. Networking and Welcome Reception --
Emcee: Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
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​Special Guest Live Entertainment/Music, Karaoke, and Storytelling Artist
All registered participants are cordially invited to attend. Enjoy Cultural and Regional Music Sounds from PA, OH, & WV and the USA.
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Stephanie Meyers, MSW, LSW
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Executive Housing Director, Interagency Coordinated Invested Planning, and Liaison for Housing and homelessness Response, and Special Advisor to the Pennsylvania DHS Secretary Honorable Valerie Arkoosh, Pennsylvania
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Artistic & Cultural Tri-State Music – Scientific and Community Poster Displays & Exhibits
All registered participants are invited. Enjoy Cultural and Regional Music Sounds from PA, OH, and WV ​​​​
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Logan Eisenhart, CNP, DMP Candice Pulkowski, PhD
Content Creator for Tri-State PA, OH, and WV Music Playlist Karaoke Singer, and Content Expert in Business
Kent State University, Nursing Department with a focus on AI and Neuro-Marketing
Stark Campus, and Cleveland Clinic Co-founder of Benevine, Pennsylvania
Hematology/Oncology Department, Ohio
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Linwood M. Smith Jr, DMin, MDiv, BS David Fakunle, PhD
Jazz Musician, Community Health and Musician, Drummer, & Storytelling, Assistant Professor
Wellness Organizer, Itinerant Elder at the Morgan State University School of Community Health
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pennsylvania & Policy, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University
of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, and Associate Faculty in Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health, Maryland
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DAY TWO
Wednesday, November 19
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TIME SESSION
7:30 a.m. Set-up
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8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Registration and Exhibits Opens
Continental Breakfast - Networking
​
Emcee: Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Rural Community Voice in Health and Transforming Health Innovation, and in the
Age of AI, Human-Centered Artificial Superintelligence
Mission of NIRMH & Acknowledgements, Purpose of the Symposium
Oralia G. Dominic, PhD, MA, MS in BBH, MS in Nutr
Founder and President of National Institute of Rural and Minority Health, Pennsylvania
Kimberly Cleveland, PhD, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) Immediate Past President, Nurses on Board Coalition Board Chair Emeritus and Co-Chair of the Value of Nurses and Board Committee
Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Past President, DJK Legal in Michigan and Ohio
Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
David J. Dausey, PhD, EdD
Executive Vice President and Provost, Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
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8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speakers
Honorable Jason Kavulich
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging
José de Arimatéia da Cruz, PhD, BA, MA in PS/PP, MS in CJ, MPH, MA in PC&L MPH
National Cybersecurity Army War College Center for Strategic Leadership Homeland Defense and Security Issues, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and United States
Gerard Magill, PhD
Vernon F. Gallagher Chair & Professor, Center for Global Health Ethics at Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
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Kimberly Cleveland, PhD, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) Immediate Past President, Nurses on Board Coalition Board Chair Emeritus and Co-Chair of the Value of Nurses and Board Committee
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Continuing Education Programming
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9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Aging Healthy, Population Health, & Social Connectiveness in Rural America
Moderator: Andrea L. Lowe, DrPh, MPH, CPH
Partner and Collaborator of The Social Impact Studio Consulting, LLC, Pennsylvania
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Gary C. Norman, Esq.
Past State Civil Rights Chair in Maryland, Adjunct Law Professor at Cleveland State University, College of Law in Ohio, and
Past Member of the Multi-Sector Partner Group at the Center for Health Justice at the American Association of Medical Colleges
Linwood M. Smith Jr, DMin, MDiv, BS
Community Health and Wellness Organizer, Itinerant Elder at the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pennsylvania
David Fakunle, PhD
Musician, Drummer, & Storytelling, Assistant Professor, Morgan State University School of Community Health & Policy, Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine, and Associate Faculty in Mental Health at
the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Maryland
Daisha K. Little, MPH, DrPH Student
School of Community Health & Policy Morgan State University, Maryland, and Associate Project Manager at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, North Bethesda, Maryland
Zana Ross, DrPH Candidate
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
​​9:45 – 10:30 a.m. Veteran Needs and Rural Community Interface Presentation
Moderator: Garett Craig, MS, BS, BSN, RN, VF
Nurse Engineer, Application Consultant at Brainlab, Pennsylvania
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Lee Gidden and Tracy Gidden
Founder/CEO at Alpha 11 Veterans Logistics Inc., Benefit claims support, Local Veteran Advocacy, Veteran Honors, USA
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Robert Toporek
Decorated Vietnam War Veteran, Outreach for Improving Computer Access for Anyone in Need, Advanced Certified
Rolf Practitioner/Author/Non-Profit Leader, Pennsylvania
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10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Networking and Break
Coffee, Drinks, Snacks & Exhibits and Posters
​10:45 –11:30 a.m. State of Physical Health, Behavioral Health, and Ethics in Rural OH, PA, and WV Panel Discussion
Moderator: Gary C. Norman, Esq., Past State Civil Rights Chair in Maryland, Adjunct Law Professor at Cleveland State University, College of Law in Ohio, and Past Member of the Multi-Sector Partner Group at the Center for Health Justice at
the American Association of Medical Colleges
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Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA
Cancer Survivorship and Rehabilitation Researcher, Senior Director Survivorship and Wellness @ American Cancer Society, Independence, West Virginia
Axel Rosa, MD
Physician, Former Fellow at Penn State Health, Pain Management, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Internal
Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Gerard Magill, PhD
Vernon F. Gallagher Chair & Professor, Center for Global Health Ethics at Duquesne University, Pennsylvania
​ Aigerim Aliakparova, Doctoral Student in Global Health Ethics​
Global Health Ethics at Duquesne University, Faculty Member for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ ECHO Telementoring Program on CRH, and Cultural Responsiveness Committee Member for the National Promoting Equitable Access to Language Services (PEALS) Initiative, U.S. Office of Minority Health, USA
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11:30 – 1:00 p.m. National Distinguished Speaker Luncheon
Keynote Addresses
The Future of Rural Health & Transformative Healthcare Innovation with AI in Rural America
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Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Past President, Knoblauch Law Offices serving Michigan and Ohio
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Urmi Ashar, MBA, MBBS, MD
Assistant Professor, Director of Public Health Programs in the Rangos School of Health Sciences Duquesne University, PA
Julie McCulloh Nair PhD, PHNA-BC, CCRE, Professor, School of Nursing, West Chester University, PA; Nurse Scientist, &
Honorary Research Fellow, USA and Scotland
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Vanessa Rastović, Esq
Disability Advocate in Rural America for Oral Health, Individualized Healthcare Access, and Policy, USA
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Poster Presentations Award Recognition
Eugene Lengerich, VMD, MS --- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Poster Award Winners
NIRMH Founding Member, Executive Leadership
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Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ -- Award Recognitions
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
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Honorable Norman Bristol Colón (hybrid)
Commonwealth Chief Diversity Officer, Governor’s Office of Administration, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
2025 NIRMH- THE RURAL COMMUNITY VOICE IN HEALTH AND TRANSFORMING HEALTH INNOVATION, AND IN THE AGE OF AI, HUMAN-CENTERED ARTIFICIAL SUPERINTELLIGENCE
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2025 Rural Health Champion Award
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2025 Rural Health and Disability Champion Award
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2025 Rural Health Coalition and Impact Award
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2025 Rural Health Advocate Award
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2025 Rural Health Building Nurse Leaders Award
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2025 Rural Health Public Service Award
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2025 Rural Health Medical and Healthcare AI Innovation Award
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2025 Rural Healthcare Heroes Award
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2025 Rural Healthcare & Community Medicine Heroes Award
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1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Community-focused, Maternal Health, and FQHC Efforts - and Healthcare AI Impact in Rural Health Panel
Moderator: Molly McCullough, N RN, NE-BC, CNDLTC, St. Clair Health Registered Nurse, and Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Board Member, Pennsylvania, and Maryland
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Urmi Ashar, MBA, MBBS, MD
Assistant Professor, Director of Public Health Programs in the Rangos School of Health Sciences Duquesne University, PA
Liam Cantellops Mercader, BS (c) in HPA and MS(c) in MPH
Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health Summer Intern, Scholar Student in the Penn State Schreyer’s Honor College and
Integrated Undergraduate Student in Health Policy and Administration, and Graduate Student in Public
Health, College of Medicine at Penn State Health. Honors Thesis: Rural Maternal Strategic Plan, Pennsylvania
Jill Buterbaugh, CRNP
Nurse Practitioner, Everrett Family Health Center (FQHC), and Associate Professor of Nursing at Frostburg State University,
Pennsylvania
Zana Ross, DrPH Candidate, BASc
Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
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1:45 – 2:30 p.m. Rural Higher Education and Public Health - and Impact Panel Discussion
Moderator: Heather Tidwell, PhD(c)in SS, MS, BA
Advocate, Corporate Faculty, Harrisburg University, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Deborah Cardenas, DNP, MSN, RN, Paralegal, CPHQ
Past President, Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) Board of Directors, Pennsylvania
Tammi Lining, DNP, MSN, RN
Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Board Member, Engaging Transformational Nursing Leader, Adjunct Professor at
Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Billi L. Mattes, Ed
Executive Director, STEM-UP Network, a Social Enterprise Powered by Harrisburg University of Science and Technology,
Former Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Molly McCullough, N RN, NE-BC, CNDLTC
St. Clair Health Registered Nurse, and Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Board Member, PA, and Maryland
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2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Networking and Break
Coffee, Drinks, Snacks & Exhibits and Posters
2:45 -3:30 p.m. Specialty Societies, Public Health Policy, and CBOs/FBOs Efforts in Rural Health Panel Discussion
Moderator: Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Cancer Survivorship and Rehabilitation Researcher, Senior Director
Survivorship and Wellness @ American Cancer Society, Independence, West Virginia
Kacie Jankoski BA
Associate Director, Community Partnerships at American Cancer Society, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Jesabel Rivera, MPH (Hybrid)
National Senior Program Lead at the American Heart Association, Community and Public Health Strategist at American Heart Association, USA
Nick Ide, MPH
Rural Health Director for the Eastern States Region of the American Heart Association, USA
Sara Murphy, BS (Hybrid)
Vice President- Programs and Services, Alzheimer’s Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Krishna Patel, MD
​ Founder and Executive Director of the Health and Education Alliance, Pennsylvania
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​3:30 p.m. Closing Remarks & Adjourn NIRMH, TAANA, PSNA, Duquesne Leadership
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