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Elizabeth A. Austin Evans, DNP, RN, CNOR
Nationally recognized perioperative nurse educator
Dr. Elizabeth Austin Evans is a nationally recognized perioperative nurse educator. A member of AORN for over 21 years, she's an engaging panel and poster presenter at AORN Expo as well as a chapter leader and officer.
Cynthia E. Aulds, BS, RRT
Director of the Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking in Texas
Cynthia Aulds is the director of the Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking in Texas (CCHT).
Nelson J. Aquino, MS, DNP(c), CRNA
Senior certified registered nurse anesthetist
Nelson Aquino works as a senior certified registered nurse anesthetist in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine at Boston Children's Hospital, and a clinical instructor for Northeastern University's Nurse Anesthesia Program.
Irini Antoniadou, RN/ORN
OR education leader
As an RN/ORN, Irini Antoniadou works as an education leader in the operating unit of Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital/Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sara Angelilli, DNP, MS, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC
Director of perioperative education at Allegheny Health Network
Sara Angelilli is the director of perioperative education at Allegheny Health Network. She has 15 years of experience in surgical services that includes seven years as a nursing professional development practitioner.
Denis Albaladejo, MSN, MBA, RN, CNOR, CSSM
Clinical director of OR and sterile processing department
Denis Albaladejo – the clinical director of the operating room and sterile processing department at Torrance Memorial Medical Center – is a transformational leader who is an advocate of patient safety, staff satisfaction, and retention.
Ibrahim Abouelnaga, RN, MSN
Supervisor
Ibrahim Abouelnaga currently serves as a service line supervisor for an anesthesia department, and his goals are to make the environment safe and serve patients on different levels.
Karen Y. White-Edwards, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR
Nursing Director
During her 33 years as a perioperative nurse, Karen Y. Edwards (White) has served in many leadership roles that have helped determine patient safety, and the quality of care being provided by nurses in the perioperative setting.
Sricharan Chalikonda, MD, MHA, FACS
Chief medical operations officer at Allegheny Health Network
Sricharan Chalikonda is the chief medical operations officer at Allegheny Health Network, and a nationally recognized physician leader and pioneer in the use of highly advanced surgical procedures for abdominal cancers and other diseases.
Paula M. Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN
Program Director of LGBTQ+ Equity and Education, Johns Hopkins
Neira – whose session at Leadership Summit is titled “Ask. Listen. Learn. Lead” – received multiple decorations for service in the Navy before becoming a nurse.
Margaret E. Vance, MSN, RN, CNOR
Educator and Clinical Nurse Education Specialist, Pennsylvania Hospital
Margaret Vance has been a perioperative RN for more than 10 years and has held various roles in the operating room.
Angie Keister, PhD
Organizational Development Consultant and Executive Coach
Angie Keister is passionate about coaching leaders and guiding high performance teams to thrive.
Sharlet McGowen, MSN
CNOR Certified Nurse Leader
Sharlet McGowen is a certified nurse leader with more than 35 years of experience in leadership and operations in diverse clinical environments.
Stuart D. Downs, DNP, MSA, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, CPHQ, FACHE, FAONL, FAAN
Nursing Administrator
Downs currently serves as a nursing administrator and is dual certified in Executive Nursing Leadership and as health care quality.
Beth O'Neill
Author and Certified International and NLP Coach
Beth O’Neill collaborates with leaders to create collaborative work environments.
Dr. Renee Thompson
Founder (and CEO) of the Healthy Workforce Institute
Recently recognized by LinkedIn as one of the “Top Ten Voices in Healthcare,” Dr. Thompson works closely with healthcare leaders looking to cultivate a healthy workforce.
Randall L. Heiser, AB, MAE
President of Sullivan Healthcare Consulting, LLC
As a perioperative consultant and well-known speaker, Randy Heiser has directed more than 1,800 surgery department operational improvement studies during his career.
Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, NEA-BC
Director of Nursing Programs, American Nurses Association (ANA)
Katie Boston-Leary works as the director of nursing programs at the ANA, and in 2019, she was identified as “One of Five Chief Nursing Officers Changing Healthcare.”
Alex Haynes, MD, MPH
Surgical Oncologist and Researcher
Alex Haynes is a practicing surgical oncologist and internationally known researcher who focuses his work on improving the quality and safety of surgical care for patients.
Jessica Buchanan
Author, Speaker, Survivor, and Coach
Jessica survived a horrific abduction in Somalia. She went on to write, co-host a podcast, and supports other former hostages and their families.
