Nephrology Clinical Technician, DaVita

Pamela began her career 22 years ago as a dialysis technician.She enjoys working with the patients and being their light to life! It has been so gratifying, both personally and professionally.

Alongside her technician role, Pamela hastaken on many growth-related endeavors in the field. She is an educator for community-based education, a clinical preceptor, and now for the past 5 years I also serve as the administrative assistant for her facility. This past year she began regional leadership for that role.

In 2016 Pamela began volunteering for disaster relief. She has been a part of 4 hurricane support teams and worked alongside some great technicians! Pamela finds great reward in helping those in time of need, both patients and dialysis families.

Senior Vice President of Technical Services, U.S. Renal Care

With over a 32 years of experience in the field, Tom has persistently risen through the ranks, demonstrating his unparalleled commitment to healthcare technology.

Based in Hummelstown, Tom has dedicated his career to elevating the standard of care for renal patients by leveraging innovative technical solutions. From his early days as Vice President to his current senior role, he has consistently steered his team towards excellence, embodying the core values of U.S. Renal Care.

Tom's expertise is not just limited to his professional accomplishments. His diligence, resilience, and proactive approach to problem-solving have been instrumental in his journey, making him a truly inspiring figure in the healthcare industry.

Through his work, Tom underscores the crucial role that technology plays in shaping a more accessible and effective healthcare system. We look forward to his insights into the future of healthcare technology, confident that his dedication will continue to drive impactful change.

CEO and Co-Founder, National Dialysis Accreditation Commission

Throughout his 20+ year career in dialysis, Curt has developed, launched and led a variety of dialysis businesses including outpatient clinics and home dialysis programs, dialysis support companies, acute dialysis programs, and physician joint ventures. Prior to launching NDAC, Curt was Co-Founder and CEO of Affiliated Dialysis Centers until its sale in 2018. Founded in 2002, Affiliated grew to become the largest home dialysis provider serving nursing home dialysis patients in the U.S. Curt currently serves on the board of National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.

Chief Medical Officer, Outset

Michael Aragon joined Outset as Chief Medical Officer in September 2018, after 14 years of clinical practice as a founding partner and President of North Texas Kidney Consultants- DFW.

He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology, receiving his medical training at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston. His clinical research focus has been on the expansion and improvement of home dialysis options for patients with renal disease.

Owner of MiB Executive Security Services

Troy's business specializes in rapid response security with a focus on disaster security and personal protection. He also is Chief of Police, City of Omaha, Boone County.

Chief Nursing Officer, SVP Nursing and Clinical Services, Fresenius Medical Care

Michelle has over 25 years of experience in nephrology nursing care. She currently focuses on developing and implementing standardized processes for improving clinical outcomes for dialysis patients. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and an Executive MBA in Healthcare Administration.

Product Manager - Renal Care, Mesa Labs

Heidi manages the renal care product portfolio with the goal of providing the most accurate calibration solutions to dialysis providers. Heidi has devoted her career in medical devices with previous experience in minimally invasive spine surgical solutions and advanced energy electrosurgical tools with focus on women’s health, pediatrics, and various surgical applications. As she works closely with biomed techs in dialysis clinics, she is excited to continue her mission to deliver the safest products to patients to ensure best patient outcomes.

PCT III Preceptor, Fresenius Kidney Services

Vice President Nutrition Services, Fresenius Medical Care

Courtney Clark is the luckiest unlucky person in the world. After witnessing the terrorist attacks of September 11th from her office just 18 blocks north, she thought she had escaped unscathed. Little did she know the events of 9/11 would cause her to develop cancer just a few years later. Her experiences caused her to become a researcher and author on resilience and adaptability, to help people achieve their goals even when everything changes.

Courtney has built two successful businesses and is the author of three books, including her most recent book ReVisionary Thinking. She works with people who want to adapt faster and achieve more.

Courtney’s resilience work has been called “practical,” “powerful,” and “empowering” by industry leaders, and she’s been featured on CNN, CBS, ABC, Forbes, and USA Today. If she wasn’t writing and speaking about resilience, Courtney would have wanted to be a tap dancer. Thankfully for her audiences, she wasn't very good at it.

Faciliy Administrator, Fresenius Kidney Care, Palmdale

Heather started working as a Nephrology Clinical Technician and is just beginning to climb her career ladder.

Global Sales Manager - Renal Care, Mesa Labs

Nikki works with dialysis providers and channel partners around the globe. Nikki has spent her entire career in Medical Device Sales and Sales Management, working with companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, and Medline. She is passionate about providing best in class products to improve patients’ lives.

Gail is a seasoned nephrology nurse with over 30 years of expertise in the care of CKD Stage 5 patients. She has an extensive background in hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, pediatric dialysis, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and healthcare administration. She currently serves as the Leadership Development Chairperson of the American Nephrology Nurses Association and is their representative on the National Quality Forum’s Renal Committee.

Gail volunteers for Network #14’s coalition on Patient & Family Engagement. She has provided education on a variety of topics to CKD patients, dialysis healthcare workers, physician groups and nursing groups. She currently provides Accreditation surveys for National Dialysis Accreditation Commission and has authored a section of the Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing 2020 on fluid management. Gail is working with NANT on its new Ready.Set.Survey project.

Gail is a member of NANT, Renal Support Network, National Kidney Foundation, American Association of Kidney Patients and other various CKD groups. Gail is dedicated to improving the quality of care by educating those who treat these vulnerable patients.

Office of the Chief Nursing officer-- Senior Manager, DaVita

Shantell is an experienced nurse leader with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and Health care industry. Skilled in team building, critical care, nephrology, healthcare leadership and business process improvement. Strong operations professional with a Master’s of Science focused in adult health. She has been a citizen of the DaVita village since 2013.

Home Dialysis Technician, Fresenius Kidney Care

Clarica has meticulously honed her skills in patient care over the past three decades. Her experience spans from the Bon Secours Health System to MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, accumulating a wealth of knowledge and proficiency along the way.

A dedicated professional, Clarica is known for her detail-oriented approach, robust communication skills, and an impressive work ethic. Her commitment extends beyond patient care as she actively seeks to empower not only patients but their families and colleagues through education on cutting-edge technologies.

Pursuing an Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management, and Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management from the Community College of Baltimore County, Clarica embodies lifelong learning. Her relentless dedication, professional excellence, and her passion to make a significant difference in the lives of others make her an asset to NANT as she will serve as its President 2024-2025.

Christina and Michael Gilchrist are truly inspiring! Here are some key takeaways:

Overcoming adversity: Christina has faced incredible challenges with kidney disease, blindness, and multiple transplant rejections. However, she demonstrates incredible resilience and refuses to let her circumstances define her.

Living life to the fullest: Christina's motto, "I don't live to do dialysis, I DO DIALYSIS TO LIVE," perfectly encapsulates her spirit. She adapts to her situation and embraces adventure, from dry camping with solar panels to honeymooning while on dialysis.

Michael's unwavering support: Michael plays a crucial role as Christina's caretaker and advocate. He even started his own support group to address the needs of other caregivers.

Moose, the service dog: Moose adds another layer of joy and support to their journey.

Advocacy and inspiration: Christina and Michael are actively involved in advocating for dialysis patients and inspiring others through their story and social media platform "BLIND CHICK LIVING."

This couple's strength, determination, and positive attitude are truly admirable. Their story is a powerful reminder to never give up hope and to live life to the fullest, even in the face of challenges.

Follow Christina and Michael's journey on social media and learn more about their incredible story.

President /CEO, Isopure Corporation

Isopure Corp is a leader in the manufacturer of water treatment and concentrate mixing equipment for Hemodialysis centers.

SVP, Nursing and Performance Improvement │Nursing, Satellite Healthcare

Tracey focuses on the needs of nursing care, policy, performance, quality improvement, and expansive aspects of program management for Pre-ESKD, acute, chronic and home dialysis therapies. She is a key clinical and business partner to the senior management team, and to clinical operations teams across the organization.

Vice President of Technical Services, Fresenius Kidney Care

Mark has been at the forefront of innovative medical technology for over three decades. Based in New Market, US, Mark leads a team that is dedicated to advancing the care of patients with kidney disease, utilizing cutting-edge medical equipment and technology.

Mark's relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to patient care have positioned him as a respected leader within Fresenius. He is known for his technical expertise, strategic vision, and his ability to inspire his team to consistently deliver high-quality services.

Mark understands the profound impact that healthcare technology can have on patients' lives and is passionate about making a difference in the realm of kidney care. He is committed to changing lives through innovation and dedication.

Senior Director of Technical Methods and Systems, Fresenius Kidney Care Technical Services

Zane started his career as a Chief Technician, then served as Regional Technical Specialist, Area Manager, and East Division Director of Technical Services.

Regional Educator & Compliance Lead, Concerto Renal Services

Senior Director, Biomedical Services, DaVita

Technical Services Director specializing in acute dialysis applications. Experience in acqusitions, financial analysis, policy and procedure development, and safety programs. Experience in hospital services and contract negotiations. Have worked closely with project management team in design and construction of new facilities and large scale renovations.

Regional Lead CCHT-IV/Preceptor, Fresenius Kidney Care

As the sole Regional Lead serving six clinics in the Capital Lakes Eastern Virginia Region for Fresenius Kidney Care, Rason believes cultural competence plays a key role in growth within any organization, especially healthcare. He comes from a culturally diverse background, his father is Hispanic, and mother is African American.

He is dedicated to progress and improvements in the dialysis culture. There is no shortage of opportunities to learn, develop, and advance within our company. Whether a new or seasoned employee, embracing the gifts we are offered, striving for excellence, and positively affecting change.

Capella University

Scholar-practitioner, Capella University Jimmie is straddling two diverse yet interconnected realms: Human Resources and Nephrology. She has carved a unique path to enhance the world of healthcare through nephrology research, focusing on the pivotal role of dialysis technicians as part of her doctoral program in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Jimmie's passion for nephrology stems from seeing her mother, father, and other family members receive dialysis treatments and experiencing a relative obtain a kidney transplant. Therefore, Jimmie wants to understand better and improve dialysis's intricate dynamics, specific to dialysis technicians' workplace concerns. Her current research topic explores motivating experiences for retention, to highlight dialysis technicians' significant impact in caring for dialysis patients and their invaluable contributions.

Chief Clinical Officer, Concerto Renal Services

Empowering healthcare leader building and modifying strategic plans to direct achievement of business and clinical goals. Proven ability to cultivate interdisciplinary team success and deliver high quality healthcare through development of a unified, patient-centered culture. Visionary executive dedicated to upholding performance standards, monitoring and auditing operations to proactively identify and address areas of opportunity while growing services to meet patient needs. Strong communicator, fostering transparency to cultivate business success.

Vice President, Technical Operations, DaVita

Ted has served as the leader of DaVita’s Biomedical Services organization for nearly half of his 40+ year career in the dialysis industry. He has spent his career focusing on safety and process related to all technical aspects of our operations within DaVita and the industry at large.

Ted’s career began over 40 years ago in New Orleans, and has allowed him to serve teams and patients domestically and abroad, having also spent time living in Argentina. His endless pursuit of patient safety has been demonstrated by his decades of service with the AAMI community, partnership with the CDC, and the countless manufacturer relationships that he has cultivated.

Clinical Educator, Education Services, Northwest Kidney Centers

Ercelene is a highly accomplished and influential leader, author, and business owner who has dedicated her life to empowering individuals to live authentic lives full of joy. With a passion for people, she has become a sought-after thought partner and speaker, sharing her insights and experiences to inspire positive change in organizations and communities.

Born and raised in the south, Ercelene developed a deep appreciation for the richness and beauty of diverse cultures from an early age. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong belief in the power of inclusivity and the importance of embracing differences. Her personal journey of self-discovery and acceptance has fueled her desire to help others find their own paths to authenticity.

She has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that prioritize patient-centered care, promote education, culture, and diversity within healthcare organizations. Her innovative approaches have garnered recognition and have been positively impacting the lives of countless individuals across the country. Currently employed with Northwest Kidney Centers she is continuing to create ripples of positive change in program and content development for front-line clinicians and leaders.

Ercelene captivates audiences with her engaging storytelling and thought-provoking insights. She connects with her listeners on a personal level, with a warm and relatable demeanor, encouraging them to embrace their own unique identities and celebrate the differences that make our world so vibrant.

With her unwavering commitment to promoting diversity and inspiring positive change, Ercelene is a true trailblazer, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of those she encounters.

Director of Patient Advocacy, Satellite Healthcare.

Her almost 50 years of experience of working with patients will be another way we will hear the patient's voice on the last day of DX41.

Associate CMO, Fresenius Kidney Care

Before joining Fresenius Kidney Care in 2019, Mike was Medical Advisor and Associate CMO for NxStage Kidney Care and NxStage medical. He joined industry in December 2017 after 25 years of service at Indiana University.

While at Indiana University he became Professor of Clinical Medicine and has an endowed professorship in his name. He was Clinical Service Chief of Nephrology and CMO of Adult Dialysis Services for Indiana University Health. He was responsible for growth of faculty, clinical services, dialysis services and notably home dialysis. He personally placed over 1000 peritoneal dialysis catheters and developed the largest home hemodialysis program in the United States with daily HHD. His expertise in home dialysis therapies and CKRT. He is now an emeritus professor at the University.

Dir of Technology - Water Systems for Fresenius Medical Care

Rob has over 25 years of experience in the Dialysis industry with the last 10 years being concentrated on Water Technology. His current work is centered around Product Management and Product Marketing for Vivonic Water Systems for the US. I haveRob has a background in Electrical Engineering but Aqua is his passion now.

President, Access Solutions

Patient Advocacy consulting services related to renal dialysis field; author and expert in patient engagement and satisfaction. Active in national patient network development including kidney patient organizations such as AAKP and Dialysis Patient Citizens. Represents patient family on the KHI (Kidney Health Initiative) of the ASN/FDA and always ready to listen and provide a patient and family perspective on health services for the chronically ill. Still active in the endovascular field, co-author of many studies related to interventions in the dialysis population. Strategist with experience at CMS and on the Hill for advocacy efforts. Nationally member of multiple coalitions for healthcare advancement.

Chief Nursing Officer, DaVita Kidney Care

Tina focuses on clinical experience and patient safety. She is an established leader in the nursing field, with over 25 years in clinical leadership roles at every level of the organization.

Tina started her DaVita tenure in 1995 as a patient care technician (PCT) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her passion for personalized, high-touch care deepened, and Tina went on to serve as a facility administrator, regional operations director, division vice president of Hospital Services and vice president of Clinical Services for a multi-state region before her latest role as chief nursing officer.

Tina is passionate about continuous education and development, often advocating through guest lectures and presentations to nursing groups across the U.S. In 2017, Tina was honored with the Chairman’s Award for her inspirational leadership style and strong advocacy for nurses and PCTs.

Group Biomedial Director, DaVita

Michael Macias has over 44 years of experience in the Dialysis Biomed field. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA in Health Services Administration. He also possesses a current Patient Care Certification with the state of California and is BONNET certified. As a Group Biomed Director for DaVita, Michael currently ensures that all medical equipment in the 300+ DaVita facilities within the 6 western states is maintained and safe for patients. He is also the Biomed Champion for HHD Nationwide.

Michael's responsibilities as a Biomed Director also include consulting with Biomed and Clinical Field Teams and project managers in developing dialysis facilities. Michael also has responsibility for coordinating disaster preparedness efforts for the DaVita Emergency Management Team.

Vice President, Biomedical Services, Rendevor Dialysis

Ryan has been in dialysis biomedical for nearly 2 decades, 15 years of which are in Leadership. Starting as a Biomedical Technician in 2006 and working his way through all levels of dialysis biomedical leadership, Ryan has a unique perspective for which he uses to support dialysis biomedical education, growth, leadership development, process improvements, and quality of life.

Ryan joined Rendevor Dialysis in 2022 to bring LDO experience, knowledge, and scale to a company passionate about Patient Safety, Compliance, Quality, Efficiency, and Culture! At Rendevor Dialysis, we provide a scalable solution for any dialysis challenge and are a trusted partner in any dialysis endeavor.

Senior Director, Technical Services, Southeast Group, Fresenius Kidney Care

Interventional Nephrologist, Dallas Nephrology Associates

Dr. Mawla also serves as Medical Director for DNA Vascular Center, Plano Texas and as a Physician for the Dallas Renal Group.

Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, DaVita

Tracey has 29 years of registered nurse experience in the dialysis field with the last 10 years dedicated to being a resource on CMS ESRD and state licensure regulations and surveys. In addition to her bachelor degree in nursing, she received her Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration in 2006. Her focus is on patient safety and she is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) as well as a Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN).

Sr. Manager of Water System Installations, Fresenius Medical Care North America | Renal Technologies Group

Buddy Morel is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in the field of water system installations, specializing in Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems. With a career spanning over 10 years.

As the Senior Manager of Water System Installations at Fresenius Medical Care, Buddy oversees a team of skilled Installation engineers, ensuring seamless execution of RO system installations for a diverse range of clients.

Throughout his career, Buddy has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in water treatment technologies.

Driven by his unwavering dedication to excellence and his mission to make a positive impact in the realm of water treatment, Buddy Morel continues to be a driving force in the industry, shaping the future of clean water accessibility for generations to come.

PCT III Preceptor, Fresenius Kidney Care

A dialysis technolgist for 33 years, Alvin's career started in 1990 in Texas for Bryan Nephrology under Dr. Morgan and Dr. Brannon. They eventually sold to a larger company and was then employed by Gambro, which then sold to Davita where Alvin worked for 18 years. I eventually moved to Colorado in 2007. Alvin is currently still actively working as a BONENT Certified Hemo Technician for Fresenius Medical Care in Colorado Springs Colorado. I am a Preceptor PCT III. I have been with my current facility for 15 years. It's been a very rewarding experience being a dialysis technician for so long.

PCT III Preceptor, Fresenius Kidney Care

Quentin is renowned for his commitment to improving patient care, and his career is a testament to his dedication, resilience, and unsurpassed competence.

Quentin brings a wealth of experience and insights from his tenure as a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT), where he demonstrated commendable abilities in handling the intricate details of renal care. His accomplishments at Fresenius Medical Care and for NANT further underscore his significant contributions to the field.

Quentin's education and professional journey reflect his unwavering commitment to continuous learning and quality patient care. His nuanced understanding of the industry's complexities sets him apart, making him an invaluable asset in any healthcare dialogue.

Facility Manager, DaVita

Amanda started as a Nephrology Clinical Technician in 2012 in a rural 8 chair facility in 2012. She went back to school in 2018 to become an RN and is currently working as a Facility Administrator of 2 16 chair facilities in St. Paul MN managing 32 teammates and overseeing care for around 150 dialysis patients. Even as a nurse, she continues to be involved in NANT because she is a believer that Nephrology Technicians are the heart and sole of what we do. Amanda dedicates as much time possible to the education, growth and development of Nephrology Technicians and look forward to spending a week every year celebrating and networking with Nephrology Technicians from around the country.

Vice President for Medical Affairs,
DaVita Kidney Care

Dr. Odama is the Physician lead for DaVita’s infection prevention and management, health equity, and Georgia integrated kidney care (VBC) teams, as well as a practicing Nephrologist.

Prior to joining DaVita, Dr. Odama worked in clinical practice in Alabama and Georgia. She also served as a District Health Director for the Georgia Department of Public Health. Recently, Dr. Odama served as a panelist member for the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) focusing on identifying health disparities and achieving health equity in kidney disease care, as well as on the CMMI health equity work group focused on Mental health.

Dr. Odama, is trained in Internal Medicine, Hypertension, Nephrology, Transplantation, Research, Public health, and Bioethics.

Patient Advocate, Davita

Annetta’s exposure to the world of dialysis started at a young age being the granddaughter of a dialysis patient. Little did she know that she would start her journey in the same industry as a Dialysis Technician. For well over 10 years Annetta has been dedicated to her patients by providing them with excellent care in her role as a PCT. For the last five years Annetta has taken that passion, drive and knowledge to Patient Education. Annetta works with CKD and ESRD patients to provide them with the knowledge and tools to succeed on their new journey. As well as understand the importance of treatment options and how that choice will affect their lives.

Regional Educator and Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor, Concerto Renal Services

Tiffany has a foundation of experience in dialysis, including DaVita Dialysis, Elim Outreach Training Centre, and Fresenius Medical Care North America, A proficient and dedicated healthcare professional, her expertise lies in hemodialysis instruction, a domain in which she provides comprehensive and empathetic education to her learners. Tiffany's professional skills include building strong communication among her patient care team, analyzing and solve problems, lead process improvement initiatives, and track and collect compliance reports to ensure that individual facility needs are met by conducting in-service and training.

In addition to being the recipient of several dialysis technician awards, Tiffany serves on the NANT Board of Directors and serves as the DTX41 Conference Program Chair.

Director Water Installation and Logistics, Fresenius Medical Care

Heather brings over 20 years of dialysis experience, including 15 years in technical leadership. She began her dialysis career in patient care and biomedical roles. She is active in the industry having served on multiple boards including NKF, two terms as President and now Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists.

She has co-authored several dialysis manuals, including the Core Curriculum for Dialysis Technicians and the Water Treatment for Dialysis manuals.

She has extensive experience in technical operations, policy and procedure development, equipment usage and maintenance for home, in-center, and inpatient modalities. She has implemented technical oversight and structure for dialysis programs throughout the United States.

Area Technical Operations Manager, Space Coast Area, South Floorida Region, South East Group, Fresenius Kidney Care

Melissa began her career 12 years ago as a Nephrology Clinical technician. She switched to the Biomedical Department in 2017. In the past six years, Melissa has climbed the biomed career pathway and is now Area Technical Operations Manager.

Water System Installation Engineer, Fresenius Medical Care- Renal Therapies Group

Nathan Perkins, a seasoned Water System Installation Engineer at Fresenius Medical Care. Based in New Hampshire, he is currently immersed in the dynamic field of water treatment system design and installation. Simultaneously, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Management to enrich his professional skill set. His extensive background over the last 14 years includes serving as an Area Technical Operations Manager and Biomedical Technician offering a wealth of experience in technical operations with a sharp focus on dialysis water treatment.

Passionate about Vascular Access. Forest has been active in NANT as Vice Pres 2005, President 2006-2007, test committee member for the CCHT,CCHT-A Certification examination, and Clinical/ Technical Board Member of The NNCC 2011-2019, and on The Executive Committee of the NKF CNNT. Forest has presented Dialysis Vascular Access topics at NANT, NKF, ADC,ASDIN and VASA. Currently he is the Vascular Access Coordinator for The Emory Dialysis Clinics of Emoryhealthcare in Atlanta, Ga.

Vice President Biomedical Services,Global Medical Office, Fresenius Medical Care

Brooks’ dialysis career began in 1975 as a PCT/BMT in a California Hospital. He rose through the ranks to become the Chief Tech for two facilities, before joining Fresenius in 1988.

Brooks has enjoyed many opportunities within Fresenius, beginning his journey as a Field Service Technician in Texas then moving back to California, working in technical phone support.

In 1993 he transitioned to Product Management and over the next 12 years (8 in Massachusetts) managed water treatment devices, dialyzer reprocessing systems, bloodlines, concentrates, and dialyzers. Brooks once again returned to California in 2005 as the Director of Technical Services.

Since 2010 Brooks has been part of Fresenius’ Care Delivery Group, serving as V.P. Biomedical Services in the Global Medical Office.

Regional Technical Operations Manager, New Jersey/Delaware Region Fresenius Kidney Care

Loriann began her journey in dialysis 29 years ago as a dialysis aide and has since furthered her career obtaining positions as a reuse technician, patient care technician, biomed technician, and area technical operations manager. Most recently she was promoted to Regional Technical Operations Manager for Fresenius Medical Care covering the New Jersey / Delaware market. Loriann’s passion for excellence is derived from having a father that was a dialysis patient and a mother who was a biomed technician as well as his caretaker for home dialysis. From an early age she witnessed firsthand what dialysis patients, and their families face day to day. Her compassionate leadership style intertwines empathy, support, and effective leadership to help drive positive outcomes for every patient , every day.

Vice President, Clinical Services Fresenius Kidney Care

Melissa is the Vice President of Clinical Services at Fresenius Kidney Care with over two decades of nursing leadership experience. Melissa has been with Fresenius Kidney Care for over five years and in her current role, leads multiple nursing and clinical services teams that provide clinical guidance and support to clinical care teams across the organization. As a nurse leader, Melissa is passionate about the wellbeing of care teams and believes that engaging and empowering clinicians at all levels improves professional satisfaction and growth and the delivery of quality patient care .

VP Social Work, Fresenius Medical Care

Dr. Felicia Speed is a native of Anderson, SC. For over 20 years, she has worked in the field of nephrology social work, helping patients with kidney failure reimagine their quality of life and overcome their psychosocial barriers. She is the Vice President of Social Work Services for Fresenius Medical Care, leading over 2100 social workers nationwide. To support healthcare professionals, she promotes self-care to address burnout and compassion fatigue. In 2021, for the American Society of Nephrology, Dr. Speed assisted with the development of mental health modules for physicians, nurses, and others impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharing her social work expertise, Dr. Speed serves as a speaker and facilitator for professional healthcare conferences and workshops internationally. She is the founder and CEO of the Light of Speed, LLC. Through her podcast and life coaching services, women are equipped with tools for aligning their strengths and purpose. As a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer, Dr. Speed empowers individuals, the community with best practices to promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Her ultimate mission is to be a light amid the darkness, while creating a space to give others permission to shine.

Vice President Biomedical Services, DaVita As the leader of DaVita’s Biomedical Services organization Brian focuses on safety and process related to all technical aspects of our operations, both centrally and in the field. Having started his career in aerospace in defense as a trained aerospace engineer, he takes aspects of zero-error process development from that industry and constantly applies them to dialysis.

Brian started his time with DaVita 12 years ago, having focused initially on innovating across our clinic operations, and later went on to lead medical device and pharmaceutical investing for DaVita as part of DaVita’s Venture Group, prior to moving into this role 2 years ago.

Vascular Manager, University Dialysis Center of Orange, Fresenius Kidney Care

Ray's diverse expertise spans from his background as a physician to his current roles as a PCT3 preceptor, water room expert, vascular manager, CPR champion, and educator in nephrology and dialysis technologies for UCI biomedical students at master and PHD levels. He excels in helping and coordinating home therapies, hospital referrals, and training new patients.

Vice President of Sales, AmeriWater

Proven record of achievement piloting the marketing and sales of both existing and new products for Medical (FDA 510K), Municipal, Food & Beverage, and Industrial Water/Wastewater markets for over 30 years. Skilled in establishing goals, securing alliances & partnerships, identifying new prospects, managing sales cycles, and maintaining hands on responsibility of the day to-day sales operations. Exceptional strength in developing customer loyalty and forging enduring relationships with business partners. Proven record of piloting and driving several new products to market.

Senior Manager, Nursing Services, DaVita Kidney Care

Regional Educator Compliance Lead and BLS Training Center Faculty, Concerto Renal Service<

While serving over a decade and a half in dialysis and holding multiple roles, Roshundra is always passionate about education. In her educational role, Roshundra facilitates certification courses for people to become certified CPR instructors, percept new and existing employees, contribute to the development of processes and policies, and assist facilities with survey preparation.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is the founder and owner of One Heartbeat LLC. She educates, trains, and certifies teachers, higher education institutions, daycare centers, nurses, and technicians in the community.

Her motivation, passion and purpose for education and training go beyond daily responsibilities. She is a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, both at work and in personal life.

Principal at Brad Weaber Consulting Group

Brad is a globally recognized speaker, facilitator, and seasoned C-Level executive. He's known for his innovative approaches, which have consistently driven revenue growth and efficiency gains for diverse organizations. Brad's expertise focuses on nonprofit organizations, executive leadership, event management, and media relations. Through his multifaceted career, he has cultivated a unique blend of industry insights and tactical acumen, making him a compelling voice in the event management landscape.

Brad has been the DTX emcee since 2021, and bring his personal knowledge about dialysis facilities as well as his breadth of experience to the DTX stage. Watch for him at DTX ConneXions, where he personally donated prizes for best costumes and dancers.

**PCT III Preceptor/Administrative Assistant, Fresenus Kidey Care, Allen, TX*

Ryan has been with Fresenius for 19 years. She is currently Southwest RegionalVice President for NANT. She serves on the following committees: the PCT Advisory Council, the P.A.L. (Positive Ambassador Listener) committee, and is also one of the Co-editors for The Preceptor Pulse, which is Fresenius’s National Preceptor Newsletter. Some of her roles in the clinic include: Home Therapy Champion and Patient experience champion, and Vascular Access Manager. Shei s also a member of the Leaders of Tomorrow Mentoring Program, the Onboarding focus group, as well as the Social Determinants of Health group. This past December Ryan graduated from University of North Texas with her Bachelor’s degree in Facility and Operations Management. I love my patients and love teaching and sharing the knowledge I have learned over my 27 years in the medical field.

Director of Technical Services, Fresenius Medical Care North America

Curtis is responsible for a nationwide field service organization, technical training program and a 24 / 7 technical support call center. Over his career, Curtis has worked in quality, research and development, operations and project management for new product introductions. He has a passion for cross-functional collaboration and introducing new technologies to simplify service and improve customer experiences.

His current focus is to improve the interdepartmental relationships to ensure all projects have a keen focus on design for manufacturability and serviceability. Curtis is also focused on the rapidly changing technologies in Healthcare to ensure his service organization remains on the cutting edge.

VP of Regulatory, Fresenius Kidney Care

Denise has been in the dialysis field since 1995. She graduated from LaGrange College in 1996 with her associate degree and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2012. Denise has held various positions with Fresenius since 2002, from Regional Quality Manager, Vice President of Quality with Fresenius Vascular before the acquisition of National Vascular, Home Group Quality Manager, Director of Operations, Senior Director of Clinical Services, and currently Vice President of Regulatory Department. She is pursuing her master’s in nursing with a specialty in executive nurse leadership.