Please click on the speaker's name to see their bio information.
DTX42 Speakers
Description
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.
Description
Naomi Carbone is an Infection Prevention Manager for DaVita and is responsible for overseeing infection control and prevention for DaVita’s dialysis centers in the northeast. She assisted in developing DaVita’s treatment protocols for C. auris, MPOX, and Covid-19, and provides support, response and surveillance for dialysis centers in the Avanti group. Naomi served on Network 5’s Medical Review Board for three years and was a committee member of the CDC’s Blood Stream Infection Initiative from 2008 – 2011.
Naomi is Board Certified in Infection Prevention and Control and has been a registered nurse for more than 30 years. She began her career in dialysis as a staff nurse, and travels extensively as a nurse educator.
Description
Kevin is the Area Technical Operations Manager in the Houston Region, Gulf Coast Group, Fresenius Kidney Care. Currently Immediate Past President of NANT, Kevin has served a total of 4 years as President from 2013 - 2024.
Description
Mallory is a dynamic benefits and wellness program leader with over a decade of experience designing, implementing, and managing health and well-being strategies and programs for large, diverse organizations.
In her role as a Benefit Manager, she is deeply committed to supporting the health and well-being of DaVita’s domestic teammates and their families - empowering them to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives both at work and at home.
Outside of work, Mal loves to lift weights, travel and learn new things with her husband of 14 years, Scott.
Description
Matt Carpenter is a Sr. Water System Service Specialist with Fresenius Medical Care. He started working in the dialysis field in 2001. Prior to his current role he worked in many areas of the business across several states in the U.S. - from Patient Care Technician to technical services (Biomedical Technician and Area Technical Manager). For the past 8 years, Matt has been focused on supporting Fresenius Medical Care dialysis water treatment systems and providing technical trainings.
Description
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
Description
Sarah Daro has worked in the dialysis field as a social worker for the past 7 years and has experience working with both in center and home patients. Presently she serves at the home champion for DaVitas pioneer region in Las Vegas and is responsible for updating fellow social workers on the trends and changes in the home programs.
Description
My name is Camilo Duran, known as CAM, and I’ve been with the Village since 2008. I began as a PCT, facing early setbacks, including failing my certification exam 3 times. However, my FA saw potential in me and encouraged a shift to the Reuse department. After transitioning to an AA role, I discovered my passion for administration and pursued further training, earning my PCT license and passing the CCHT exam. I took on various leadership roles, including PD Home Ambassador, Adequacy Manager, and CVC Champion, and was promoted to Facility Administrator Assistant after completing the DSSL program. I then became Facility Administrator, leading a center to a 95% DQI and 5% CVC rate. Six months ago, I was promoted to Facility Administrator II, where I’ve successfully improved DQI from 43.74% to 83.12% and reduced the CVC rate to 10.23%. What drives me is my passion for patient care and my love for the people I work with—both my team and the patients we serve. Their support is what motivates me to continually strive for excellence.
Description
Engineering Manager at Isopure Corporation
Description
Devine started his dialysis career in 1994 in the Quality Control Technician/Test and Calibration/Refurb department. He joined DaVita in 2000 as a biomed technician. His current role of Quality Manager includes reviewing field teams feedback and practices, assessing and understanding the demands and expectations of process, education and support needs from field facing biomed teammates POV. He is also responsible for verifying that biomed services meet established standards by developing and maintaining quality standards, following processes, analyzing data to identify issues, and collaborating with teams to implement improvements.
Devine enjoys family QUALITY time, cooking and volunteer services within the community.
Description
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.
Description
Crystal Grate has been in nursing for 21 years and is currently the Director of Infection Prevention for Fresenius Medical Care. She attended Clemson University where she graduated with a BS in Nursing. Crystal began her nursing career working on a Neurology and Medical-Surgical unit in Anderson, SC. Her interest in Nephrology began prior to beginning nursing school as she had several family members who were on both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, which lead her to the local dialysis clinic in her hometown. While working as dialysis nurse, Crystal returned to school and obtained a Master of Science degree in Nursing with a focus in Nursing Education. Over the past 19 years at Fresenius Medical Care, Crystal has worked in the clinical setting and held many roles in the education department including Group Director of Education. In 2017 she began working in Infection Prevention, supporting outpatient and inpatient dialysis units across the United States with infection prevention needs including surveillance, and development of policies and initiatives to reduce the risk of infection to patients and staff. Crystal is most proud of her work educating, developing, and supporting employees and patients.
Description
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.
Description
Mr. Hickey is an attorney with O’Melveny & Myers, an international, 800 lawyer firm with 15 offices in the world’s financial and political centers. He is a member of the Litigation Department and Director of the firm’s eDiscovery staff attorneys, a role in which he leads all O’Melveny staff attorney operations firmwide. He served as an Infantry officer in the U.S.M.C. as a Lieutenant with postings in Quantico and Camp Pendleton. His distinguished public service career includes posts on Capitol Hill as an Administrative Assistant, as a Special Assistant at the United States Department of Commerce and, following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, as the Senior Advisor for Homeland Security for the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under President George W. Bush. At OPM, Mr. Hickey also served as liaison to Veteran Service Organizations nationwide, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Mr. Hickey coordinated extensively with elected leaders and staff in the U.S. House and Senate as well as the White House to represent veteran stakeholder interests in the preservation of veteran’s legal rights during reforms to U.S. Civil Service laws. He is a recipient of a Silver Helmet Award from AMVETS.
In addition to his role at O’Melveny & Myers, Mr. Hickey is actively involved with community service efforts in California through the Inner City Law Center of Los Angeles, which services veterans and their families in the Los Angeles, California area. He is also active in the Armed Forces Committee and Veterans Legal Service Project of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, which works to identify and address opportunities to assist veterans, active military personnel, and reservists with their legal needs.
Description
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.
Description
My name is Rob Kruger, and I am the Dir of Technology - Water Systems for Fresenius Medical Care. I have over 25 years of experience in the Dialysis industry with the last 10 years being concentrated on Water Technology. My current work is centered around Product Management and Product Marketing for Vivonic Water Systems for the US. I have a background in Electrical Engineering but Aqua is my passion now.
Description
Tina Livaudais is the chief nursing officer for DaVita Kidney Care, where she focuses on clinical experience and patient safety. She’s an established leader in the nursing field, with over 29 years in clinical leadership roles at every level of the organization.
She started her DaVita tenure in 1995 as a patient care technician and has served at multiple leadership levels before her current 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. Tina was honored with the 2017 Chairman’s Award and the 2023 Women of Influence Award for her inspirational leadership style and strong advocacy for nurses and PCTs.
Description
Master in Public Health Sciences, specialized on Microbiology and Chemical Engineering PhD student, Rui Lucena has been working on the dialysis industry for more than 25 years. He is author and co-author of some relevant publications on haemodialysis, namely water and dialysis fluids management.
He is a member of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Working Group on Renal Replacement, Detoxification & Apheresis and worked, for several years, as an Assistant Professor of Lisbon Polytechnic Institute and has been collaborating with the Portuguese College of Nephrology, namely on the Portuguese Best Practice Manual on Chronic Dialysis.
Rui works at Fresenius Medical Care, Value Stream Water Technology, Trading Goods & Services (Business Unit In-Center) as Director of WTS & Services Excellence.
Description
. I always wanted to work in the medical field since I was little but never imagine I would fall in love with dialysis. I started as a ICHD tech with Fresenius about 17yrs ago. Since I had already been with the company for some years, I was scared to try a different dialysis company. I did the commute for about 2yrs when I finally decided I to go full time with DaVita. This was the best decision I could’ve made and now working on retiring in the village. DaVita has literally changed my life. I’m still a technician but now in a Facility Administrator role. I want to not only continue my growth in the village but also continue making an impact in the dialysis world.
Born August 30th, 1988 to my wonderful parents Jose Macias and Rosa Gonzales (who is no longer with us). I have 1 brother and 3 sisters who all live in AZ. My husband, Adrian Lopez, and I have 3 beautiful children: 1 boy and 2 girls. Adrian JR (18yrs), Kaylahni (5yrs), and Itzayahna (1yr). I also adopted my little sister Nayomi which I consider one of my own.
Description
. Dr. Mahoney, a trained interventional nephrologist, joined DaVita in 2017 as CMO for DaVita's vascular access care business. Prior to his current role, he was in private practice for more than 20 years in the Washington, D.C. area, where he was also the medical director of a DaVita Kidney Care chronic dialysis facility, a hospital acute dialysis service and his practice's vascular access center. From 2013 to 2017, he served as a group medical director for DaVita Kidney Care.
Dr. Mahoney received his undergraduate degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard College and his medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine. He completed residency and fellowship training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and served for 10 years on active duty as an Army physician before entering private practice in 1995.
As CMO of Hospital Services and SNF Dialysis, Dr. Mahoney oversees the delivery of dialysis to patients in acute and post-acute sites of care. He has found serving patients, physicians, hospitals and our DaVita teammates in this role to be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences in more than 40 years in medicine.
Description
Dr. Mawla also serves as Medical Director for DNA Vascular Center, Plano Texas and as a Physician for the Dallas Renal Group.
Description
Mic Medeska is an Area Technical Operations Manager with a strong focus on bridging the relationships between Technical Services and Home Therapies. Serving as the Technical Champion for New England Transitional Care Units, SNFs, and Home Therapies, Mic plays a pivotal role in optimizing patient care from a Technical perspective and ensuring the effective implementation of Technical solutions to aid in patient retention. Mic has served on national committees and advisory boards, represents Technical in New England's Retention Team, and is a Fresenius LEAP Graduate: the first ever from Technical Services. Mic is the co-creator and co-educator on the ground breaking Home Therapy Biomed Boot Camps introduced in New England. His passion for Home Therapy and advancing Technical Service's role within Home has made him a respected leader in the industry.
Description
Janel Mueller, RN, CDN, has been a dedicated Registered Nurse since 1993 and has specialized in dialysis since 1994. She joined the Gambro/DaVita team in 2000, where she has served in various roles including Floor Nurse, Facility Administrator, and Clinical Service Specialist. Currently, Janel is a Senior Nurse Manager and clinical subject matter expert. She leads clinical initiative development and deployment, evaluates new dialysis machine technology to advance kidney care, and validates new products to ensure they meet DaVita’s high standards. Janel also standardizes the product evaluation process across all modalities and collaborates with departments such as OCMO, Clinical Pharmacy Management, Biomed, PRISM, and IT. Her personal interests include faith, family and friends, sports, hiking, walking, and serving others.
Description
Stephanie has nearly three decades of dialysis experience that began as a hemodialysis nurse and spanned many years in clinical and operations management. The last several years have been spent in the Nursing and Clinical Services department with a focus on clinical policy and procedure and workflow support, with significant emphasis on home therapies. Stephanie holds an associate’s degree in nursing, a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, a master’s degree in business administration, and has been a certified nephrology nurse since 2000. She actively serves on her local county board of developmental disabilities and is a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA). Other past roles and memberships include the Defiance College Nursing Advisory Board and the Ohio Renal Association.
Description
Dr. Mishler is a member of a large nephrology practice in Arizona and has been a an interventional nephrologist since 1998. His training in vascular access surgery began in 2004 when he became the first nephrologist in the United States to perform surgical vascular access procedures. He and several other nephrologists within the group have been active in open avf and avg access creation and revision since that time. Vascular access education for dialysis personnel has been a long-standing priority for Dr. Mishler who has delivered many national and international lectures and published several articles on the topic of vascular access surgery performed by nephrologists. He has also been a primary and sub investigator in several FDA vascular access device clinical trials. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology in 2016.
Description
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.
Description
Mihran Naljayan, MD, serves as chief medical officer for DaVita Kidney Care’s home modalities and pediatrics, as well as the group medical director for the Galaxy Palmer, which is located in the south-central United States. At DaVita, Dr. Naljayan supports clinical outcomes and safety initiatives in home modalities and pediatrics, with a special interest in patient retention and health equity. Additionally, he designed the home physician support network, which works directly with physician practices to provide education and to help support home modality growth and clinical outcomes initiatives to improve access to home therapies to patients across the US.
Dr. Naljayan graduated from LSU School of Medicine. He then went on to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School for Internal Medicine residency followed by a Nephrology Fellowship. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Nephrology, and Hypertension. He is a clinical associate professor at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans and served as the interim chief of the section of nephrology and nephrology fellowship program director prior to transitioning to the CMO of Home Modalities and Pediatrics at DaVita.
Description
Dr. Pascual is the Associate Chief Medical Officer at U.S. Renal Care. Dr. Pascual brings of 20 years’ healthcare experience and is board-certified in both internal medicine and nephrology. Before joining U.S. Renal Care she has served in multiple leadership roles within her prior organization, including founder, department chair and facilities medical director. Most recently she served as Chief Medical Officer of Nephrology Practice Solutions, a subsidiary of DaVita Kidney Care.
Her professional memberships include the Renal Physicians Association, American Society of Nephrology, and Women in Nephrology.
She earned her medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed her internal medicine residency, fellowship in nephrology and chief fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Washington Affiliated Hospitals.
Description
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.
Description
Willam (Bill) began his career in nephrology at Greenfield Health Systems (GHS) as a clinical technician in an incenter hemodialysis unit in 1989. Over the next 34 years with GHS, Bill became a registered nurse and received a master’s in business administration. Bill held many roles during that time to include staff nurse in both the chronic and acute setting, he became a staff educator, facility manager and he assumed the role of Administrator over multiple dialysis units. His last role was Administrator over the home programs at GHS. Beginning in December 2023, Bill brought his expansive nephrology background to the position of Executive Director of the Renal Healthcare Association. This association serves mainly the small, rural, independent and hospital-based dialysis facilities across the country, with strong emphasis on advocacy and education. Bill is married to his wife Lucy of 38 years, has two daughters and is a very proud grandfather.
Description
As a health care executive, I am driven by patient care and leading an organization to win as the collaborative partner of choice in our industry. I am always passionate about working with customers. Medical device markets tend to be community-based, and I am driving our team to position our organization as a community hub.
Description
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.
Description
I am currently employed in the dialysis field for 30 years. I enjoy fossil collecting, astronomy, and science in general. I am a 54-year-old father of three, with two children that have worked in the industry. One is currently a biomedical technician manager. I have held many positions over the past 30 years, starting in reuse in the 90's, biomedical manager for outpatient clinic and acute therapies, which eventually lead me to the path of Senior Water System Service Specialist. My day-to-day role is troubleshooting issues with pre-treatment and RO device functionality, as well as instructing classes for pre-treatment equipment and reverse osmosis devices. I enjoy the challenge of solving problems, and the feeling of accomplishment in the mitigation of these problems.
Description
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.
Description
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 years ago.
Description
I have worked in the Nephrology industry for 15 years, spending time providing direct patient care, clinical and operational oversight for both small and large geographies and currently support national home clinical services for DaVita Kidney Care. I work directly with our Home CMO and home physician support team, as well as across other lanes within the company. My primary focus is optimizing clinical care and outcomes for our large home patient census (both PD and HHD) and innovation in how to best identify opportunity areas and implementation of processes to improve. I live in Michigan with my family. I received my Nursing Degree from Delta over 20 years ago and have continued my education through different programs and certifications throughout my career.
Description
Amanda “Mandy” Tilton is the Chief Nursing Officer at U.S. Renal Care.
She has more than 23 years of nursing, dialysis, and leadership experience. Prior to joining U.S. Renal Care, Mandy spent 20 years at DaVita, holding numerous roles in centers including Patient Care Technician, Charge Nurse, and Facility Administrator. She was then promoted to several operational and clinical roles where she made a broad impact to the lives of patients, ultimately serving as DaVita’s Chief Nursing Officer. In between her time at DaVita and U.S. Renal Care, Mandy was the Chief Nursing Officer for BAYADA Home Health Care.
Mandy is also very involved in the kidney community. She has served as chairwoman of the Nurses & Technician Council for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois and currently serves on their Board of Directors. She has delivered multiple clinical and operational presentations to groups in the kidney care industry and has been published in several nursing publications. Mandy received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and her Master’s in Business Administration, Master’s in Nursing, and Bachelor’s in Nursing from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois where she currently serves as adjunct faculty for the University. She also holds a certificate in Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).
Description
Sam is a former dialysis patient of 17 years, transplant recipient, and now a patient advocate/motivational speaker. Sam's upbeat attitude and humor enabled him to
develop "Urine Inspiration", a presentation aimed at educating everyone about living a full life in the face of medical challenges.
Sam shares a powerful message that will resonate with the renal community including patients, incenter staff, nephrologists, and care partners. He talks about his experience as a patient in HD, HHD, and transplant, and is focused on education regarding the benefits of patient empowerment, and home therapies.
Lacye, has been a care partner from the age of 18. After 17 years of supporting her husband on dialysis, including in-center and home therapies, she was blessed to be able to donate a kidney to him over 9 years ago. Her passion isto return to the renal community and serve as a patient and care partner advocate. It isimportant for her to thank those that positively impacted the lives of patients living with dialysis, and educate people about enjoying a full life with CKD. She now serves as a patient advocate for NxStage, Medical, and as a motivational speaker for Urine Inspiration.
Description
Brad has served as our DTX emcee since 2021, our virtual conference. His devotion to dialysis technicians shows in the way he carefully weaves the stories of dialysis professiionals and patients for an amazing experience at DTX. He has visited a dialysis clinic as part of his preparation.
Brad would really like DTX to be virtual again so that he could have his avatar back.
Description
As the pace of change accelerates, the gap between the best teams and the average teams will grow exponentially. That is why we need to equip each individual with the tools to cultivate excellence in the everyday. By instilling the values of consistent effort, dedication, and a commitment to continuous improvement, we empower everyone to contribute their best, not just in pivotal moments, but in every task they undertake. This cumulative effect of daily excellence will build a resilient, innovative, and high-performing organization, ensuring that you not only keep pace with change, but lead the way in your industry.
Sarah Wells, a world-class Olympic athlete, silver medalist, and renowned leadership speaker, has dedicated nearly two decades to studying excellence, leadership, innovation, and peak performance. Sarah believes that excellence is not reserved for a select few but can be developed by anyone, regardless of their level or career tenure. She helps individuals find excellence in everyday actions, unlocking their potential and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within their organizations. Through her insights and strategies, Sarah empowers teams to question limiting beliefs, embrace adaptability, and pursue innovative thinking, ensuring sustained success and growth in a rapidly evolving world.
Applying strategies she learned as an elite athlete and leadership coach, Sarah has worked with category-leading companies such as Salesforce, Google, P&G, RBC and Coca-Cola to name a few.
Sarah’s message resonates with audiences worldwide, inspiring them to transcend their perceived limitations, embrace their “silver medal moments”, and strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.
Description
Nancy Welder has been a registered nurse for 32 years and has practiced in hospice care, cardiac step down, and ICHD. Her roles include floor nursing, charge nurse, clinical coordinator, and facility administrator. Her primary focus in the dialysis quality management space was on clinical metrics outcomes improvement and regulatory compliance. She has a passion for all things safety. The COVID19 pandemic presented to opportunity to pivot full time to Infection Management where she leads a team of 8 infection prevention managers. Nancy and her team are instrumental in developing, promoting, and evaluating all infection related processes across DaVita with a focus on infectious diseases and vaccinations. Nancy lives in beautiful Glenwood Springs, Colorado on a mountain 7500ft above sea level with her husband Brian, their two dogs Lucy and Mike and two cats Will and Grace.
Description
I have devoted 24 years to dialysis. My journey began as a Patient Care Technician right after high school, driven by my grandparents' experiences with dialysis. From the start, I felt a deep sense of belonging. I quickly advanced to a regional preceptor role, sharing my knowledge and passion for dialysis with new nurses and PCTs. This commitment ignited my desire to drive positive change in patient care and to make a meaningful impact on the dialysis community.
As an Air Force wife, I embraced the challenges of frequent relocations, which enriched my exposure to diverse companies, teams, management styles, and dialysis methods across multiple states. This invaluable experience shaped my path toward leadership. In 2022 I became the Hospital Services Administrator for DaVita Southern Nevada Acutes, marking a pivotal milestone in my career.
Description
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.
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