Boyd Buser, DO Related Seminars and Products

Boyd R. Buser, D.O. served as the 120th President of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in 2016-2017.  From 2007 until 2018, Dr. Buser served as Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he held the rank of Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practice and Professor of Family Medicine.  He is a graduate of Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine, is dually board certified in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Family Medicine, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.  He has taught extensively both nationally and internationally in the field of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. He has a long history of advocacy in the physician payment policy arena, having been elected by the AMA’s Board of Trustees to serve on the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel in 2007, the first DO to be so elected.   
Dr. Buser is a past Chairman of the Board of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and is the Chair-elect of the Board of Directors of the Osteopathic International Alliance.  He served as a member of the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure from 2007-2018. From 2011-2013, he served as the Co-Chair of the AOA/AACOM Blue Ribbon Commission on the Advancement of Osteopathic Medical Education. He chaired the AOA’s Bureau of OGME Development and was an instrumental figure in the development of the single accreditation system for graduate medical education. In 2020 he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME).  In 1995, Dr. Buser served as President of the American Academy of Osteopathy and was named Educator of the Year by the AOA and American Osteopathic Foundation in 1994.  Dr. Buser currently resides in Kennebunkport, Maine with his wife Pam, serving as Clinical Professor at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Dr. Buser has no disclosures. 

Merideth Norris, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Merideth Norris has been working in Maine for over 15 years. Her practice scope includes Osteopathic Family Medicine and treating substance use disorder, obesity, and pain management. She has worked in emergency departments all over Maine, as well as detox facilities, inpatient treatment environments, methadone clinics, and outpatient recovery centers. Dr. Norris is the Medical Director of Enso Recovery and has a private practice. Dr. Norris is board certified in Osteopathic Family Medicine by the American Board of Osteopathic Family Medicine, in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine, and in Obesity Medicine by the American Board of Obesity Medicine.

She is frequently seen in the press advocating for available resources for people with substance use disorder and drafts large amounts of testimony to the state legislation on opioid policy and treatment access. She has been interviewed as an addiction expert on both local public radio and the national Reelz network. Recently, Dr. Norris became certified as a Ringside Physician by USA Boxing and became the medical consultant for Susan Elia MacNeal, author of the Maggie Hope detective series. Dr. Norris has three children.

Dr. Norris discloses that she has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients relative to the content of her presentation.

Kelley Harmon, DO Related Seminars and Products

Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program

 Dr. Kelley Harmon is 2005 graduate of UNECOM and is a board certified osteopathic family physician and faculty member at Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program (MDFMR) where she practices full spectrum care with both inpatient and outpatient focus inclusive of obstetrics and pediatrics.   She has a special interest in opiate dependence care in pregnancy, group visit models of care and interprofessional education.  Administratively, Dr. Harmon is the Director of Pre-Doctoral Education at MDFMR and serves as Regional Assistant Dean for University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and has clinical faculty roles at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Tufts University School of Medicine. 
Dr. Harmon has no disclousres. 

Joel Kase, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Joel Kase is an osteopathic physician who throughout his career has beenactive in clinical practice, administrative operations, advocacy and policydevelopment, and medical education.

Dr. Kase has worked clinically in rural emergency medicine for 15 years, and prior to that, practiced the entire spectrum of osteopathic family medicine, including inpatient hospital and skilled nursing care, home health visits, obstetrics, and osteopathic manipulation. He is double boarded in Family Medicine and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine.

Dr. Kase currently practices clinical medicine full time. He previously served as the Emergency Department Director for the VA Maine Healthcare System, and prior to that as the Director of Medical Education for the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Kase is a member of the AOA’s Bureau on Federal Health Programs, and currently serves as Chair of the AOA’s Council on State Health Affairs. He is also a Past-President of the Maine Osteopathic Association, and serves as the Chair of the Maine delegation to the AOA House of Delegates. A graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Kase completed a family medicine residency as well as an academic fellowship in obstetrics through the teaching hospitals of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Additionally, Dr. Kase attended the Harvard School of Public Health, where he completed a Master’s Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Care Management and Policy.

Dr. Joel Kase, DO has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Scott Drew, DO Related Seminars and Products

G. Scott Drew, DO, FAOCD, FAAD, “Cutaneous Infections & Diseases that Mimic Them,” is a practicing physician with Smith Clinic, Department of Dermatology in Marion, Ohio; faculty for the dermatology residency program at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio; and adjunct clinical faculty for the Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health in Columbus, Ohio. Board certified in dermatology and family medicine, he is a 1987 graduate of Kirksville (Mo.) College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Drew completed an internship at Normandy Osteopathic Hospitals in St. Louis, Missouri, a family medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Camden, and a dermatology residency at Deaconess Medical Center, North and West in St. Louis, Missouri. A fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatology, he is past president of the Marion Academy of Medicine and a member of the American Osteopathic Association, the Ohio Osteopathic Association, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Dermatologic Association, the Central Ohio Dermatologic Society, the Ohio Dermatologic Surgery Association and the Society of Dermatologic Physician Assistants. Dr. Drew, faculty for this educational event, is an independent contractor for Eli Lilly, Abbvie, Regeneron, Galderma, Johnson & Johnson, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dermtech, Bristol Myers Squibb, Dermavant, Novartis, Ortho Novum, Incyte, and Leo. All of the relevant financial relationships listed have been mitigated.

Mike Genetti, CLU®, ChFC® Related Seminars and Products

Financial Planner, Financial Services Representative

Baystate Financial

Michael Genetti is a Financial Planner associated with Baystate Financial, one of New England ‘s oldest and largest independently owned financial services firms with over 300 associates throughout the six New England states. Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Bates College and has continued his professional education, attaining his Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant designations from the American College of Financial Services. Mike is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Rhode Island Estate Planning Council, and the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning Rhode Island, as well as the American College of Health Care Executives and the Medical Group Managers’ Association. Through their Fiscal Fitness For Life financial education and planning services initiative with the Maine Medical Association, as well as with both the Maine Osteopathic Association and New Hampshire Medical Society, Mike and his Baystate advisory team are playing a leading role in serving the financial well-being needs of northern New England’s physician community. Over the years, Mike has had the opportunity to present financial based Continuing Medical Education courses to both the Allopathic and Osteopathic communities.

Michael Genetti is a registered representative of and offers securities and investment advisory services through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. 200 Clarendon Street, 19th & 25th Floors. Boston,
MA 02116. 617-585-4500.

Michael Genetti has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Josie Conte, DO Related Seminars and Products

Maine Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program

I was born in New York, in the Mohawk Valley region. I earned first undergraduate degree in Dance with a minor in Psychology from SUNY Brockport in 1982. After moving to Manhattan to pursue dance theater, I completed training at the Swedish Institute School for Massage Therapy in 1990. Through the exploration of energy medicine, shiatsu and vibrational healing, I found my way to the world of childbirth education and labor support and after moving to Maine worked at Maine Medical Center as a doula, and childbirth educator and later as a doula trainer and education director for Ballard House Birth Center in Portland, ME. I established Baraka! Middle eastern Dance Ensemble and was an active performer with her musicians and dancers throughout New England. I was called to Osteopathy in 2002 and after postdoctoral training at the University of Southern Maine pursued studies at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM), graduating in 2011.  I did both Family Medicine and Osteopathic Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM) residencies at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency in Augusta, ME. I am boarded in Family, Neuromusculoskeletal and Integrative Medicine. I am presently an associate professor of family medicine for UNECOM and returned to Maine Dartmouth as faculty for Family Medicine and ONMM. I am grateful for to Lewis Mehl -Madrona and have studied indigenous healing since 2008. I honor traditional healing models and am trained in Japanese style acupuncture and yoga and am a forever student of Ayurveda. Dance, bodies in motion, breath and space-time-force guide me. I currently practice medicine at the Maine Collaborative Care Center in Waterville, Maine and the Alfond Center for Health, a general hospital in Augusta, Maine. I live on a lake in Winthrop with my husband and dog. I am mother to two “adult” children, Alexandra who resides in NM and Maxim, in ME who both carry on the light.

Dr. Josephine Conte has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Elisabeth Mock, MD, MPH, FAAFP Related Seminars and Products

Physician Educator

Maine Independent Clinical Information Service

Elisabeth Fowlie Mock attended Colby College, Emory University, Vanderbilt Medical School and UNC Chapel Hill for Public Health. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine and works primarily as a consultant and clinical educator with per diem Hospitalist shifts. She intends to run for the national Board of Directors of the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2024. Interests include Toastmasters, and women’s basketball--she is a certified basketball referee. She has 3 kids in their early 20s and lives in Bangor with her husband and 3 doodles, also known as substitute children.

Dr. Elisabeth Fowlie Mock MD, MPH, FAAFP has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Laura Blaisdell, MD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Blaisdell is a board-certified pediatrician, child health researcher and advocate. She received a B.A. from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, a medical doctorate and public health degree (MD/MPH) at the University of Minnesota, and completed a residency in pediatrics at Maine Medical Center.  She currently serves as the Vice President of the Maine AAP and is a founding member of Maine Families for Vaccines.

In addition to community pediatrics, Dr. Blaisdell has published research on vaccine hesitation and decision-making among parents with the Center for Outcome Research and Evaluation.    She has been a site director for the National Children’s Study, where she also led studies of new social media strategies for research recruitment.  In addition to her clinical and research activities, Dr. Blaisdell served as the Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at MMC, as Chief of Pediatrics at InterMed, as well as serving as a Trustee to Mercy Hospital in Portland.

Dr. Blaisdell mentors students and residents, and teaches evidence-based medicine in her role of Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Dr. Blaisdell is also has expertise in camp medicine, serving as Medical Director and Camp Co-Owner at Camp Winnebago in Maine. She resides in South Portland and Fayette, Maine where she lives with her two sons and husband.    

Dr.Blaisdell has no disclosures.

Joseph DeKay Related Seminars and Products

Dustin Higgins, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Dustin Higgins was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. He is the seventh of nine children. He went to college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and then to medical school at Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. He was trained in Internal Medicine at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis and then completed a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He currently practices in Quincy, Illinois as the only Endocrinologist in his group. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He enjoys fishing and pond swimming with his wife and six boys.

Dr. Higgins has no disclosures. 

Romeo Lucas, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Romeo Augusto Lucas is a board certified OB/GYN practicing at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, Maine.  He completed his B.S. in Biology at University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.  He has a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois.  After 2 years of private chiropractic practice in New Jersey, he attended University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine where he earned his Doctor of Osteopathy in 2008.  He completed a rotating internship at UMDNJ-School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, NJ in 2009 and his OB/GYN Residency at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ in 2013. He is an Assistant Professor of Clinical OB/GYN for the Northeast Osteopathic Medical Education Network and Affiliate Clinical Faculty at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Lucas practices general OB/GYN with specific interest and focus on pelvic pain syndromes.  He uses a multi-faceted approach to diagnose and treat complicated pelvic pain presentations.  This patient-specific approach incorporates a combination of hormonal, analgesic, neurologic, minimally invasive surgical and/or Osteopathic manual therapies to address pelvic pain. He is a member of the American Academy of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, International Pelvic Pain Society, American Osteopathic Association, America Congress of OB/GYN, and Maine Osteopathic Association.  He is married with 2 dogs, 3 children and 4 drumsets.  He speaks fluent Portuguese and Spanish but knows well it’s time he figured out French too.

Dr. Lucas disclosed that he is on the Speaker's Bureau for Myriad Genetics Abbvie and is a Principal Investigator Reveal Medical. The planning committee for this session has reviewed the content and found no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program or presentation.

K Emily Redding, DO Related Seminars and Products

K. Emily Redding, DO is Director of the Northern Light EMMC ONMM3 Residency and is faculty at the NL EMMC Family Medicine Residency. She is the Chair of the ONMM Postdoctoral Training Committee of the AAO and on the ACGME ONMM Residency Board of Appeals. She did her training at Eastern Maine Medical Center: 2010 NMM/OMM Plus One Residency, 2009 Family Medicine, 2007 St John's Episcopal Hospital South Shore (Surgery/Family Medicine), and WVSOM - Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, 2006 (Internship). She completed medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, 2005 (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine). She holds the following board certifications: American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians (Family Medicine/OMT) & American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine (ONMM).

Dr. Redding has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.  

Vania Manipod, DO Related Seminars and Products

Vania Manipod, DO is a board certified psychiatrist based in Orange County, California. She is an assistant professor of psychiatry and president of the Alumni Association at Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. Manipod has built an international following on social media, particularly through her Instagram (@drvaniamanipod) and blog (Freud & Fashion) based on her work to educate about psychiatry and promote the importance of mental health. She is a writer and media contributor for various publications and news shows, and also an invited speaker on topics such as burnout, mental health, and social media.   

Dr. Manipod has no disclosures. 

Brian F. Degenhardt, DO, C-NMM/OMM Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Brian Degenhardt is the assistant vice president for osteopathic research at ATSU, professor within the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, director of the A.T. Still Research Institute, and is the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Endowed Chair for Research in Osteopathic Diagnostic and Therapeutic Palpation. In these capacities, he oversees numerous areas of research, particularly directing research in the areas of palpatory diagnosis and OMT. He is also the director of DO-Touch.NET, an international practice-based research network assessing the clinical usefulness of manipulative medicine.  His published work demonstrates a broad scope of research, including evaluation of the reliability of palpatory diagnostic tests, otitis media, pneumonia in the elderly, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, objectification of somatic dysfunction, evaluating the association of biomarkers with OMT, pain, health benefits of wellness programs, and the use of rasterstereography (surface topography) in assessing posture.   For 10 years, he also ran an integrative medicine clinic in western Colorado.

Dr. Degenhardt has no disclosures. 

Patrick Leary, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Patrick F. Leary is presently Director of Sports Medicine at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania.  He has a teaching appointment as Clinical Professorof Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. Dr. Leary isa family physician who specializes in sports medicine.His clinical focus is on the management of medical and musculoskeletal problems related to sports and exercise. He is recent PastPresidentof his national specialty college, the AOASM.Dr. Leary is certified in Family Medicine, Sports Medicine and Geriatrics and works at the LECOMWellness and Integrative Health Center.He received a Masters Science in Medical Education from LECOM 2012. He is Lead Team Physician for the NBA GLeague Erie BayHawks,Mercyhurst University,Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst PrepSchool and Corry High School. He has been appointed to the sports medicine advisory board of the PennsylvaniaInterscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).He is a Fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, the AmericanCollege of Osteopathic Family Physicians, and AmericanAcademy of Family Physicians He recently received a Masters of Science in Medical Education from LECOM. Dr. Leary annually mentors specialty physicians in Sichuan Province, China, on becoming generalists and family physicians for the IPCEA/ACOFP. Dr. Leary is a graduate of the Kansas City University of Medicine and Bio-Sciences and was Team Physician at the University of Notre Dame from 19995-2005 where he did his undergraduate work. He presently is a member of the ACSM Team Physicians Consensus Panel and NCAA Cardiac Task Force.He additionally sits on an editorial panel of the PPE Monograph 5th Edition.He has published and researched Vitamin D, ACL Injuries and Prevention, Concussionin Family Practice, AthleticPubalgia, Concussion in Boxing, Infectious Mononucleosis in Sports,Mental Health in College Sports,Covid 19 in Athletics, Physician Burnoutand SeniorFitness injuries along with other sports medicine topics.

He is Program Director of the LECOM Sports Medicine Fellowshipwhich emphasizes use of msk diagnostic ultrasound and regenerative injection therapy. He has helped in the training of 39sports medicine fellows at Notre Dame and LECOM.He has participated in medical philanthropic work in numerous countries.(Honduras, Mexico, Qatar, Germany, Chile, China)Dr. Leary has served as an instructor in Mexico for the AAOM Prolotherapy/MSK Ultrasound Immersion and SportsOsteopathy in Cologne, Germany.Married with four children, Dr. Leary enjoys teaching and traveling along with fly fishing and golfing.

Dr. Leary has no disclosures.

Karren Seeley, MD Related Seminars and Products

Karren Seely, MD is a family medicine physician at Farmington Family Practice with an interest in treating LGBT patients.  She obtained her BA in Studio Art from the University of Arizona, her Medical Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Medicine, and her family medicine training at Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency Program.  She is board certified in family medicine and a member of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association.  She is interested in addressing health care deficiencies in LGBT health.   In her spare time she is working on building her house. Dr. Seely has no disclosures. 

Dr. Seeley has no disclosures.

Kate Stitham, PhD Related Seminars and Products

I have more than a decade of experience in working in complex, multicultural spaces with high levels of polarization and division, both abroad and in the US. I study organizational culture; how to foster more inclusive and equitable environments that are rooted in authentic and meaningful communication and partnership. I've helped small nonprofits, large advocacy groups, and big businesses, with one goal in mind - to transform not just the policies and practices of institutions but the way we talk about and think about difference. I've created the three lenses of bias framework and written a white paper on the 5 characteristics of optimal work culture.

Kate Stitham is the President, Founder, and Lead Consultant of Integrative Inquiry, a consulting firm that partners with organizations to build stronger, more effective teams rooted in collaboration, innovation, and equity. Drawing from more than a decade working nation-wide and internationally, her integrative approach fuses cutting-edge educational development theory with diverse contexts and perspectives. She conducts retreats and workshops in the U.S. and abroad, and consults with a variety of professions to support strategic planning, leadership development and culture change.

Ms. Stitham has no disclosures. 

Timothy Borelli, D.O. Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Borelli is a native of South Portland, Maine and currently resides in Scarborough with his wife and 3 children. After graduating college he worked in Research and Development at IDEXX Laboratories in Westbrook, ME. He attended Medical School at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and then completed his Internal Medicine Residency and subsequently a Fellowship in Infectious Disease at Maine Medical Center. For the past 12 years he has served as the Medical Director of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology as well as the Co-Chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta , Maine. He also shares a passion for teaching and is an appointed Faculty Member as Clinical Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine for the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. He routinely provides clinical teaching in Infectious Diseases for Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residents, UNECOM medical students, Pharmacy Residents and Colby College students.     

Dr. Borelli has no disclosures.

Jason Henry, MD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Henry is a board-certified physician specializing in both pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine. He is currently practicing full time at MaineGeneral Health in Augusta, Maine. Originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, he graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and worked for a short time as a registered emergency room nurse. Following that he attended Saba University School of Medicine, graduating in 2014. He completed his residency in adult internal medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS before moving on to a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, LA. Through his career and training Dr. Henry has presented research and cases at multiple local, regional and national conferences. Currently, Dr. Henry lives in Sidney, Maine with his wife Megan and three year old son.             

Dr. Henry has no disclosures.

Alexandra Barr, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Alexandra Barr is a board certified Geriatrician and Family Medicine physician practicing Hospice in South Portland with Northern Light Home Care and Hospice. She received her B.A. in Anthropology at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. She attended West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine where she earned her Doctor of Osteopathy in 2011. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead, NY and her Geriatric Fellowship at Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia. At the end of her fellowship, a recruiter asked if she had ever considered living in Portland, Maine. With a resounding “YES!” she moved to Maine and has never looked back.

Bringing her passion and caring to older adults, her special interests include geriatric health and wellness, dementia care, geriatric psychiatry, chronic disease management, palliative care and end of life care. When she isn't working, Dr. Barr enjoys singing, playing tennis, and traveling. She and her husband and two stepsons enjoy discovering new trails to hike, going to the beach, and playing with their two dogs and cat.

Dr. Alexandra Barr  has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Shawn Marie Higgins, DO Related Seminars and Products

Shawn Marie Higgins, DO is a graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is Board Certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, a Diplomat of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine and a faculty member of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy. She completed Family Medicine Residency at Maine Dartmouth. She is also a volunteer physician at the Portland Osteopathic Children's Clinic in Portland Maine.

She has been a faculty member and lecturer for the Osteopathic Cranial Academy since 2013 and is currently on the OCA Board of Directors. She currently has a private practice in Yarmouth Maine where she practices osteopathy, energy and sound healing. She currently teaches CME courses on sound healing in osteopathy and has a chapter titled "The Human Body - A Biological Sound Healing Instrument" in Nutrition and Integrative Medicine: A Primer for Clinicians, currently in press and due to come out in 2022. Stay tuned for her 2022 series of sound healing series of introductory and intermediate CME courses on sound healing in osteopathy.

Dr. Higgins has no actual or potential conflict of interest, financial relationship/arrangement or affiliation with any entity producing, marketing, re-selling or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients.

Contact Info:

Osteopathic Wellness, LLC

253 Main St.

Yarmouth Maine 04096

tel: 207-615-6956

fax: 207-850-2228

www.osteopathicwell.com

Emily Bloch, Esq Related Seminars and Products

Emily Bloch joined Norman, Hanson & DeTroy, LLC in 1997 after practicing at another Portland law firm for seven and a half years. As a member of the professional litigation practice group, she concentrates her practice representing the interests of health care providers statewide before state licensure boards and against medical negligence claims. Her clients include insureds of Maine’s leading medical malpractice insurer as well as the country’s leading provider of professional liability insurance to oral and maxillofacial surgeons. She also provides general advice to health care providers.

Prior to beginning practice, Emily served as Law Clerk to Judge Albert W. Coffrin, Chief Judge for the United States District Court, District of Vermont. Emily is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts in Maine as well as before the United States Supreme Court.

Emily has argued cases before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court that have been significant in the course of Maine law including the following:

Despres v. Moyer, 2003 ME 41, 827 A.2d 61.

Clifford A. Dumont et al. v. Fleet Bank of Maine and Michael S. Haenn, 760 A.2d 1049 (Me. 2000).

Camps Newfound/Owatonna Corp. v. Town of Harrison, et al., 1998 ME 20, 705 A.2d 1109; 655 A.2d 876 (Me. 1995); 520 U.S. 564 (1997).

Tri-State Rubbish, Inc., et al. v. Waste Management, Inc., et al., 838 F. Supp. 17 (1993); 998 F.2d 1073 (1st Cir. 1993).

Emily was the 2003 recipient of the Carolyn Dube Glassman Award, named in honor of the first woman to serve on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. The award is presented annually by the Maine State Bar Association to a woman who is a member of the Maine Bar and who has worked to remove barriers and advance women in the profession, has educated people on the status of women in the profession or who has acted as a role model for other women attorneys.
Emily is also a current member of the Maine State Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee and has achieved Martindale Hubbell’s highest peer review rating (A-V).
 
Ms. Bloch has no disclosures.

Carol Brenner, PhD Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Carol A Brenner,  Ph.D, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship, College of Osteopathic Medicine has been researching reproductive biology for over 25 years. She has directed NIH-supported extramural and intramural research to investigate chromosomal and mitochondrial anomalies in primate oocytes, embryos, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. Dr. Brenner worked with Nobel Prize winners such as Professor Robert Edwards, a pioneer in reproductive medicine and in vitro fertilization. Dr. Brenner also worked as the Director of Molecular Embryology at the Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science at Saint Barnabas under the direction of Drs. Jacques Cohen, Richard Scott, and Santiago Munne, investigating mechanisms of aneuploidy and preimplantation genetic diseases (PGD). She also had the honor to collaborate with Barry Bavister, a well-known reproductive physiologist. He was instrumental with Professor Edwards in discoveries that paved the way for the birth of the first IVF baby in 1978. Dr. Bavister also developed the first reliable procedures for IVF in monkeys. Dr. Brenner opened an adult stem cell laboratory in collaboration with the Gibbs Cancer Center and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-South Carolina (VCOM South Carolina) in March 2013. Dr. Brenner started two new osteopathic schools, VCOM South Carolina and New York Institute of Technology, College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State (NYITCOM @ A-State). Her research projects at NYITCOM @ A-State improve the quality of health care in rural, underserved communities of northeast Arkansas.  Dr. Brenner is now the Associate Dean for Scholarship and Research at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is in charge of all research and scholarship for UNE COM’s medical students. The UNE COM Student Government Association established the Carmen Pettapiece Student Research Fund to support all areas of medically-oriented research conducted by UNE COM students. UNE COM also funds several medical student research projects through the Peter Morgane Student Research Fellowship (formerly known as the Dean’s Research Fellowship) program. Research projects can have basic science, community health, clinical, or osteopathic orientation. UNE COM.

Dr. Brenner has no disclosures. 

Annie Derthick, PhD Related Seminars and Products

Annie Derthick, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Behavioral Science as well as the Academic Director at the Central Maine Family Medicine Residency. She works closely with residents and faculty there to increase engagement in scholarly activity and promote the creative and innovative approaches to patient care and education occurring in the program. Dr. Derthick recently completed a fellowship in medical editing and currently serves on the Editorial Board for the peer-reviewed journal, Family Medicine. Her mission is to shift the narrative about what constitutes scholarly activity—it is not just randomized control trials, but it includes a multitude of ways we generate, share, expand, and revisit what we know. Dr. Derthick’s personal research interests including health disparities, microaggressions, quality improvement, and integrated behavioral health care.  Dr. Derthick has no disclosures. 

Kate Hoffman, DO Related Seminars and Products

Kathryn Hoffmann DO was born in Vermont and raised in central Maine. She completed her undergraduate training in biology at Colby College and went on to medical school at UNECOM. Kate attended Maine-Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency and served as chief resident during her final year in 2013. Following her graduation she joined the faculty at MDFMR where she provides a full spectrum of family medicine care including obstetrics and osteopathic manipulative medicine. She was appointed Osteopathic Education Director in 2017 and Assistant Program Director/Education Director in 2021. She is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She and her husband have four young children.

Dr. Hoffman has no disclosures. 

Chris Caracciolo, MD Related Seminars and Products

Christopher Caracciolo, MD is a resident at Central Maine Family Medicine Residency in Lewiston, ME. He attended Medical School at Quinnipiac University, in  Hamden, CT.

Dr. Caracciolo has no disclosures. 

Russell Pierce, Esq Related Seminars and Products

Russell Pierce ESQ. counsels and represents businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals in a broad civil litigation practice throughout the state of Maine and in the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Individuals and businesses from other states also often turn to Russ for handling this broad range of cases – matters such as class actions, complex business litigation, professional negligence and malpractice defense, tort and contract law, property rights, product liability, constitutional law and civil rights, First Amendment rights and defamation claims, and environmental and conservation law. He currently represents one of Maine’s leading environmental organizations.

In providing legal counsel to diverse clients in matters both straightforward and complex for nearly 30 years, Russ has participated in the determination of a number of legal issues that have shaped the course of law in Maine. Throughout his career, Russ has been engaged in the field of alternative dispute resolution, representing clients in private arbitrations or performing the role of arbitrator. He is also available to convene mediations in virtually any type of civil action.

Russ has written numerous articles and often lectures on a broad range of legal topics, including the topic of attorney ethics and professional responsibility.      

Mr. Pierce has no disclosures.

Trevor Savage, Esq Related Seminars and Products

Trevor practices with the firm’s Litigation group, representing clients in state and federal court in employment discrimination, personal injury, product liability, and commercial matters. In addition to his civil practice, Trevor also defends individuals charged with criminal offenses.

Before joining Norman, Hanson & DeTroy, Trevor served as a law clerk to Justice Joseph M. Jabar of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.  He graduated from the University of Maine School of Law, where he served as Managing Editor of the Maine Law Review and as a legal writing teaching assistant for first-year students.  During law school, Trevor competed nationally as a member of the Maine Law Moot Court Team and worked as a Student Attorney at the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office.  He also interned at the United States Attorney’s Office and with Judge Kermit V. Lipez of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Prior to beginning his legal career, Trevor received a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Emerson College and worked in television.  He and his wife, Amy, live in North Berwick with their two boys.              

Mr. Savage has no disclosures.
 

Valerie O'Hara, DO Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Valerie M. O’Hara, FAAP, ABOM, Medical Director of WOW 4 Wellness Clinic, Obesity Specialist: Dr. O’Hara brings 20 years of pediatric weight management experience to her families and community. She received her board certification in Obesity Medicine in 2013 via the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She began this focused work as part of the Maine Youth Overweight Collaborative in 2000.  She has been involved with Let’s Go as a Physician Champion, visiting the Primary Care Practices in the EMHS region since 2010, Dr.O’Hara presented research data at multiple National conferences, including OMA, AAP, The Obesity Society. WOW shared their Telemedicine Poster at Obesity Week/TOS/ASMBS conference, Summer Camp poster at the National AAP Fall conference in Chicago and Poster at the 2017 OMA re: The Cardiometabolic Disease Burden in Children presenting to a Rural Pediatric Stage 3 Weight Management Clinic – earning 1^st Place honor. She has had numerous publications including Obesity and ADHD, Barriers to Pediatric Obesity Care, Sleep Dysregulation and Obesity, and is a co-author of the OMA Pediatric Obesity Algorithm 2018-2020. As an advocate for her patients, she shared her WOW experience with the Dept. of Defense in Washington, DC and with former Gov. Baldacci.  She is a member of The Obesity Society, The Obesity Medicine Association, and the Obesity Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. O’Hara graduated from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996 and completed her Pediatric Residency at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in 1999.  Dr. O’Hara is passionate about her patients and is dedicated to improving the health of the families with whom she works.

Dr. O'Hara and the MOA Planning Committee disclose that they have no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients relative to the content of this presentation.