NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RURAL & MINORITY HEALTH
Agenda
(*Tentative)
DAY ONE
Thursday, November 19
TIME SESSION (All sessions will be held onsite at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Foerster Student Services
Center Auditorium unless otherwise noted; transitioning live music for conference sessions by Musician Dr. Linwood M.
Smith Jr, DMin, MDiv, BS, Pennsylvania) and the Tri-State PA, OH, & WV themed music playlist created and provided by Student
Logan Eisenhart, CNP, DMP(c) from OH)
7:30 a.m. Set-Up (Exhibits & Digital e-Posters setup onsite 11/19 by 8:30 a.m. and teardown no later than Friday, 11/20 by 4:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. Registration and Exhibits Opens
Continental Breakfast - Networking
Emcees: Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at Impeded, Researcher Cancer Survivorship, Supportive Care, and Cancer Care Delivery, West Virginia and USA
Harold Cameron, CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), The People’s Advocate, Consumer Advocate and Government
Liaison, SSA Appointed Disability Claims and Appeals Representative, Scranton, PA, and USA
8:30 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Advances in Modern Medicine and Technology for Patient-Centered Care is Revolutionizing Disease Prevention, Treatment,
and Control in the Era of AI and Human-Centered Superintelligence
Mission of NIRMH & Acknowledgements, Purpose of the Symposium
Eugene J. Lengerich, VMD, MS, NIRMH Founding Member, Executive Leadership, Board Secretary
Kimberly Cleveland, PHD, JD, MSN, RN, C-MBC, C-MPC (Virtual message)
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Immediate Past President, Nurses on Board Coalition Board Chair Emeritus
and Co-Chair of the Value of Nurses and Board Committee
Quintin B. Bullock, DDS, MS, Community College of Allegheny County President
Stephen H. Wells, PhD, AS, BA, MA, Community College of Allegheny County Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Ketwana D. Schoos, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Community College of Allegheny County
8:45 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
John Kalafut, PhD
Chief AI Officer, Asher Informatics, Pittsburgh, PA
Molly McCullough, DNP, RN, CNE, NE-BC, CNDLTC
Assistant Professor, Acute and Tertiary Care Dept, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA
Education Programming
9:30 a.m. Disability in Rural Health - Fireside Chat Discussion
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,
Cleveland, OH, Baltimore, MD, and the USA
Honorable Josie Badger, PhD
Executive Director, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities,
Harrisburg, PA
Daniel Hodges, JD, MHA
President and Cofounder, Peaces of Me Foundation, Phoenix, AZ, and the USA
Laura C. Hoffman, Esq, Co-Faculty Director of the Center on Healthcare Law and Policy at CSU College of Law, Cleveland
State University Cleveland, Ohio
10:15 a.m. State of Rural Health
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, and the USA
Eugene J. Lengerich, VMD, MS
Pennsylvania Farmer, Epidemiologist, Center for Disease Control’s Epidemic Intelligence Services (EIS) Fellow Officer,
Atlanta, Georgia, and Retired Professor of Public Health Science at Penn State University, COM, Hershey, PA, and the USA
Chiranth Punganur, MBBS in Surgery and in Medicine (hybird)
Medical Student (MS3), Researcher at TROGSS and DMC/DRC, and Director of Research Partnerships & Curriculum,
International Student Research Mentorship (ISRM) Lead of Research Education Strategy and Academic Partnerships,
Melaka, Malacca, Malaysia, and Global.
11:00 a.m. Networking Lunch Break
Coffee, Drinks, Snacks & Exhibits
11:30 a.m. Global and National Distinguished Speakers Luncheon
Keynote Address – Advancing Rural Health: Healthcare, Education, Workforce/Industry, Policy, and the Global Patient Intersection
Honorable Carlos Obrador-Garrido Cuesta, BA, FNF, Head Consul, Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at Impeded, Researcher Cancer Survivorship,
Supportive Care, and Cancer Care Delivery, West Virginia, USA, and Global
Sara Murphy, BS, Vice President- Programs and Services, Alzheimer’s Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Jesabel Rivera, MPH, National Senior Program Lead at the American Heart Association, Community and Public Health
Strategist at American Heart Association
12:30 p.m. One Health, One Rural Health – Advancing Farming Common Interactions Key Health Concerns in Rural Health - Fireside
Chat Discussion
Brianna Parsons, VMD, MSEd
One Health Program Manager and Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet), Philadelphia, PA, and USA.
Lisa Freeman, MSW, MPA
Founder of Family Freeman Family Farm & Greenhouse, and Urban Agriculture, Food Access, Community Health, and Partnerships Advocate, Greater Pittsburgh Region in Pennsylvania.
Eugene Lengerich, VMD, MS
Pennsylvania Farmer, Epidemiologist, Center for Disease Control’s Epidemic Intelligence Services (EIS) Fellow Officer, Atlanta, Georgia, and Retired Professor of Public Health Science at Penn State University, COM, Hershey and State College, PA
1:15 p.m. Rural Health and Behavioral, Social & Emotional Innovation and Clinical Impact Presentation & Fireside Chat Discussion
Reverend Dr. Linwood M. Smith Jr., Din, MDiv, BS
Community Health and Wellness Organizer, Itinerant Elder at the African Methodist Episcopal Church Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church York, PA, Pastor, and Retired Public School Principal, Coatesville, PA, and the USA
Jackie Smith, PhD, MA, BA, Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, and the USA
Name [TBP]
Emotional Support, Pet Therapy, Pittsburgh, PA
1:45 p.m. Rural Health and Education: Shaping Rural America, Workforce Development, and the Global Patient Experience
Ketwana D. Schoos, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Community College of Allegheny County, Piitsburgh, PA
Tammi Lining, DNP, MSN, RN
Pennsylvania State Nurses Association Board Member, Engaging Transformational Nursing Leader, Adjunct Professor at Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA.
Rashonna Black, BS
Graduate Student in Health Administration (class of 2028) at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA; and Patient Access Supervisor at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA.
2:30 p.m. Rural Health Policy, Government, Advocacy, Disability, and Funding Presentation and Fireside Chat Discussion
Vanessa Rastović, Esq
Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Attorney, ADA, Medicaid & CMS Policy, Disability-Informed Quality & Access, Disability Advocate in Rural America for Oral Health, First Domino Alliance, PA, and the USA
Harold Cameron, CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), The People’s Advocate, Consumer Advocate and Government Liaison,
SSA Appointed Disability Claims and Appeals Representative, Scranton, PA, and the USA
Debra Harvey-Patterson
Director of Business Administration, Community College of Allegheny College, and Private Citizen Advocate for Self-care,
Health and Wellness, Family & Community Engagement, and Education About Diabetes Awareness During National Diabetes
Month and November 14 World Diabetes Day in the Month of November
Jackie Nixon, BA
Director of Marketing & Communications for Citizens Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3) and the Publisher of CR3 News
Magazine, a CR3 Pennsylvania State Representative Advocate for Educating Communities About Radon and its Lung Cancer
Affects, and Co-founder of the Premier Youth Ambassadors for Radon Reduction (PYA) Program, and Lung Cancer Survivor and
Advocate for Education About Lung Cancer Awareness During National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the Month of
November, Pittsburgh, PA and the USA
3:15 p.m. Payer–Provider–Member–Community Intersection
James Williams, MS, BS, SPHR
Chairman, Board of Directors Prostate Cancer Coalition (PPCC), Men's Health Advocate, Retired Colonel in Military, Commercial
Pilot, Harrisburg, PA, the USA, and Global
Jackie Smith, PhD, MA, BA,
Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, and the USA
Vanessa Rastović, Esq
Healthcare Regulatory & Compliance Attorney, Disability Advocate in Rural America for Oral Health, OPEN & CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Pittsburgh, PA and the USA
4:00 p.m. Networking and Welcome Social
Emcee: Ketwana D. Schoos, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
Artistic Live Music – at CCAC's SSC Auditorium Lobby
All registered participants are cordially invited to attend. Enjoy Cultural and Regional
Music Sounds from PA, OH, and WV - & singalongs - including a happy birthday song
for America's 250th Happy Birthday... and CCAC's 60th Birthday!
4:15 p.m. Dinner on your own.
5:00 – 6:30 p.m. VIP Networking and Dessert Social & Tour (in-person only) (optional)
A Taste of Sweet History & Tour of the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District
Grow your network while enjoying dessert (250th Happy Birthday America cake!), spectacular views of Downtown Pittsburgh
Cultural District, breathtaking view of "a big city with a smalltown feel," and a gem known as Point State Park that sits at the
exact spot where Pittsburgh's three rivers meet: the Allegheny River and the Monongahela River come together to form the
Ohio River. This location is known as the "Forks of the Ohio" and is one of the most historically important sites in western
Pennsylvania! STEEL NATION!
Enjoy Meet-and-Greet with top leaders in the nation leading the way for Educational Opportunities, Transforming Health
Innovation & AI Efforts, and in real-time! This includes innovation across industry, academia, CBOs and FBOs, and government.
Learn. Connect. Collaborate. Grow Your Network.
There is no cost to attend the in-person networking event, but RSVP is required. The RSVP /Signup Sheet will be located at
the Registration Desk in the CCAC SSC Auditorium Lobby on November 19, 2026, between 8:30 AM - 3 PM.
Space and cake quantity are limited. First come and first served.
Transportation on your own. Dinner on your own.
Public transportation, Metro (The T) T-Fee Free Zone, taxi, uber, metered parking, and parking garage etc. are available.
5:00 p.m. Christos Mediterranean Grill
A Taste of Sweet History - 250th Happy Birthday America & Happy 60th Anniversary CCAC cake!
Enjoy the famous Jackie’ O. Cake at Christos Mediterranean Grille, a long-running, family-owned Greek
restaurant located in the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District. Meet-and-Greet restaurant owner and
chef Christos. A group photo opportunity will be available.
Enjoy a Mediterranean atmosphere, festive conversation, and personal experiences as a pathway to improving health and wellness! And singalong songs for: ***250th Happy Birthday America! ***Happy Rural Health Week in PA! *** Happy National
Rural Health Day! and ***Happy Key Health Awareness Months in November!***
Singer: Special Guest!
Enjoy networking & fellowship as we Kickoff of Rural Health Week in Pennsylvania, November 20 National Rural Health Day,
and the Key Health Awareness Months in November to help keep people safe and healthy. These include:
* National Diabetes Month, and November 14 World Diabetes Day (Endocrine Health!)
* Alzheimer's Awareness Month (Brain Health!)
* Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month (Eye Health!)
* Lung, Pancreatic, Stomach Cancer, Awareness Month (Lung Health!) (GI Health!)
* Movemeber / Men's Health Awareness Month (Men’s Health!)
* National Family Caregivers Month (Family Health!)
* Public Health Thank You Day: Monday before Thanksgiving (November 23, 2026) (Public Health!)
Directions: Map
Dinner on your own.
5:45 p.m. - Tour of the Downtown Pittsburgh Cultural District (optional) (weather permitting)
6:30 p.m. Enjoy a stroll through downtown Pittsburgh. Lead Dr. Molly McCullough will provide guidance,
route/stops schedule will be shared on November 19, 2026, to registered participants who report to
the onsite Check-in Table in the CCAC SSC's Auditorium Lobby. The Tour is on a volunteer basis, self-guided,
and on your own time, and outside conference hours.
Dinner on your own.
Public transportation, Metro (The T) T-Fee Free Zone, taxi, uber, metered pay parking garage etc. are available.
DAY TWO
Friday, November 20
TIME SESSION
7:30 a.m. Set-up
8:00 a.m. Registration and Exhibits Opens
Continental Breakfast - Networking
Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Foerster Student Services Center Auditorium
Emcees: Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at Impeded, Researcher Cancer Survivorship, Supportive Care, and Cancer Care Delivery, West Virginia and USA
Harold Cameron, CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), The People’s Advocate, Consumer Advocate and Government
Liaison, SSA Appointed Disability Claims and Appeals Representative, Scranton, PA, and USA
8:15 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
Advances in Modern Medicine and Technology for Patient-Centered Care is Revolutionizing Disease Prevention, Treatment, and Control in the Era of AI and Human-Centered 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
Eugene J. Lengerich, VMD, MS, NIRMH Founding Member, Executive Leadership, Board Secretary
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
Quintin B. Bullock, DDS, MS, Community College of Allegheny County President
Stephen H. Wells, PhD, AS, BA, MA, Community College of Allegheny County Provost & Chief Academic Officer
Ketwana D. Schoos, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Community College of Allegheny County
8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Keynote Speakers
Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Past President, Knoblauch Law Offices serving Michigan and Ohio
Axel, MD
Physician, Former Fellow at Penn State Health, Pain Management, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and
Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Honorable Josie Badger, PhD
Executive Director, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities, PA
Continuing Education Programming
9:15 – 10:00 a.m. Veterans Needs and Rural Community Interface
James Williams, MS, BS, SPHR, Commercial Pilot
Retired Colonel, United States Military, USA
Robert Toporek (virtual)
Decorated Vietnam War Veteran, Outreach for Improving Computer Access for Anyone in Need, Advanced Certified Rolf Practitioner/Author/Non-Profit Leader, PA, and USA
William J. Schoy IV, MPA, BA
Human Engineering Research Laboratory (HERL), Research Participant Advocate, Disability Options Network (DON)
Associate Director, Community Partnerships at American Cancer Society. HERL is a collaboration between the UPitt, as an institute under Health Sciences, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a center within the Pittsburgh Healthcare System, PA, and the USA
10:00 a.m. Advancements in the State of Rural and Minority Health for the Global Patient in OH, PA, and WV Panel Discussion
Moderator: Axel Rosa, MD,
Physician, Former Fellow at Penn State Health, Pain Management, College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, and
Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
Honorable Carlos Obrador-Garrido Cuesta, BA, FNF, Head Consul, Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ambassador Carlos José Escobedo Menéndez, MA, BA, Head Consul, Consulate of Guatemala in Columbus, Ohio | MINEX, Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Guatemala to Peru.
Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Chief Clinical Innovation Officer at ImpediMed, Researcher Cancer Survivorship,
Supportive Care, and Cancer Care Delivery, West Virginia
Zana Ross, DrPH
Research Scientist in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, Cellular and Molecular Biology with a focus on Obesity in Somalian People, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
10:45 - 11:30 a.m. Global and National Distinguished Speaker Presentations
Keynote Address – Advancing Rural Health: Healthcare, Education, Workforce/Industry, Policy, and the Global Patient Intersection
Moderator: Ketwana D. Schoos, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences, Community College of Allegheny County, PA
Nicole L Stout, DPT, CLT-LANA, FAPTA, Cancer Survivorship and Rehabilitation Researcher, Senior Director Survivorship and Wellness @ American Cancer Society, Independence, West Virginia
Speaker: Special Guest
Speaker: Special Guest
11:30 a.m. Networking Lunch Break
Coffee, Drinks, Snacks & Exhibits
National Distinguished Speaker Presentation
12:30 p.m. – Advancing Rural Health and Nutrition & Wellness – From Case Management to Food Is Medicine Framework - Law and
1:15 p.m. Ethics Fireside Chat
Diane Knoblauch, JD, MSN, RN
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys Past President, Knoblauch Law Offices serving Michigan and Ohio
Lisa Freeman, MSW, MPA
Founder of Family Freeman Family Farm Store & Greenhouse, and Advocates for Urban Agriculture, Food Access
Community Health, and Partnerships Advocate, Greater Pittsburgh Region in Pennsylvania
Gary Norman, JD
Lawyer, Adjunct Law Professor at Cleveland State University, College of Law in OH, Past State Civil Rights Chair in Maryland,
& Past Member of the Multi-Sector Partner Group, Center for Health Justice at the American Association of Medical
Colleges in Cleveland, OH, and current Civics Fellow at the Institute for Christian, Jewish, and Islamic Studies in
Washington, DC
Miranda Mayer, MSN, FNP
Family Nurse Practitioner (ANCC), and completing her DNP-FNP at Walsh University. Founder and President of Shine Your
Light, a nonprofit Supporting Families, Canton, Ohio
. Global and National Distinguished Speakers Impact & Empowerment Presentations
1:30 – Revolutionizing Healthcare AI & Innovation for Proactive Health (Prevention, Treatment & Control) Presentations
2:30 p.m.
My Story & How Innovative Healthcare Delivery, AI Devices Help People in Rural America Thrive
Kendall Simmons (hybrid)
American Coach, Two-time NFL Superbowl Champion, World Diabetes Day Champion and Advocate, USA.
Cynthia-Grace Devine-Kepner
PA Special Education PTA-A Founding Charter Member of the First Statewide Special Education PTA in the Nation Treasure
(2017-2019) and President (2019-2021 & 2025-26), (IEL)-Education Policy Fellowship Alumni-Class of 2015-16, Pennsylvania
State PTA– (FLC) Federal Legislative Chairperson (2017-2023), and Public Health Advocate for Severe Hearing Disability in PA
George M. Eid, MD, FACs, FASMBS
Physician, General Surgeon, System Chair of Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Bariatric and Metabolic Institute and system
Division chief of Minimally Invasive Surgery. Pittsburgh, PA
Award Recognition and Special Entertainment
Moderator: NIRMH President and CCAC Executive Leadership
2026 NIRMH- Advances in Modern Medicine and Technology for Patient-Centered Care is Revolutionizing Disease Prevention, Treatment, and
Control in the Era of AI and Human-Centered Superintelligence
2:15 p.m. Rural and Brain Health Intersection Panel Discussion - Fireside Chats
Moderator #1: Rafferty-Semon, MSN-ED, RN, CHES, NBC-HWC, Instructor of Practice, The Ohio State
University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio.
Moderator Moderator#2: Tessa Miracle, PhD, MA, BS
Faculty and Researcher in Public Health and Education and Promotion, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center,
Columbus, Ohio.
Lauren Feyh, MNM, LNHA, ACC, CDP, CMDCP (Hybrid)
Instructor of Practice, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences Division, and Executive Director, and Co-Founder of GrowIN-Intergenerational Community Programming,
Columbus, Ohio
Amy Elliot, PhD, MA (Hybrid)
Director of Opening of Minds Through Art at Scripps Gerontology Center Oxford, OH, and Instructor of Practice at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences, Columbus, Ohio,
Miami University, Miami, Florida, and USA
Silvia Orsulic-Jeras, BS, MA (Hybrid)
Senior Research Associate at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, and Lead Supporting Older Adults and People Living with Dementia, Cleveland, Ohio
Libby DesRuisseaux, PhD
Neuropsychology Clinic at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, Brain Health and Wellness Programs, Ohio, and USA
3:15 p.m. Advancing Rural Health Disability: Utilizing Collaboration for Advocacy, Policy, and Funding Panel Discussion- Fire Chat
Moderator: Cynthia-Grace Devine-Kepner, PA Special Education PTA-A Founding Charter Member of the First Statewide Special Education PTA in the Nation Treasurer (2017-2019) and President (2019-2021 & 2025-26), (IEL)-Education Policy Fellowship Alumni-Class of 2015-16, Pennsylvania State PTA – (FLC) Federal Legislative Chairperson (2017-2023), and Public Health Advocate for Severe Hearing Disability.
Josie Badger, PhD, Executive Director, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on People with Disabilities, Harrisburg, PA (Tenative)
William J. Schoy IV, MPA, BA
Human Engineering Research Laboratory (HERL), Research Participant Advocate, Disability Options Network (DON)
Associate Director, Community Partnerships at ACS. HERL is a collaboration between the UPitt, as an institute under Health
Sciences, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a center within the Pittsburgh Healthcare System, PA, and USA
Cindy Williams, Information & Referral, Independent Living Coordinator at Disability Options Network (DON)
Amy Guithrie, MSEd, BA, Vice President at Disability Advocate (DON) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Executive Committee Member for Local Task Force 3 (LTF3) as advocate that protects the educational rights of students with disabilities in Allegheny County in Pennsylvania
Regis Charlton, MS, BS, Deputy Director for the Center for Independent Living, Disability Options Network, Penn Hills, PA.
DJ Stemmler, OTA, Disability Rights Advocate, Community Organizer, and currently an Advisor for Human Engineering
Research Laboratories (HERL), a joint Medical Research Project between the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC, and the VA
Pittsburgh Health Care System. Previously Grants and Contracts Manager for Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR)
and Clinic Administrator for Center for Assistive Technology (CAT), Pittsburgh, PA, and the USA
3:55 p.m. Closing Remarks & Adjourn NIRMH and CCAC leadership
