2026 CME Conference Speaker Bios

Jessica Bell, PA-C

Events: Destin • Myrtle Beach • Orlando-October • Las Vegas

Topic: Women’s Health

Jessica Bell is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in urogynecology and sexual medicine in Corvallis, Oregon. She is a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) and Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health ISSWSH (IF). She is also a Healthy at Every Size (HAES) registered practitioner. She works in the clinic and as a surgical extender in the operating room.  

Her clinic practice includes evaluating and treating patients for female sexual pain, including vulvodynia, lichen sclerosus and hormonal tissue changes. She also sees patients for pelvic floor dysfunction, pelvic organ prolapses, incontinence and bladder pain. Her expertise includes treating hormonal symptoms during the menopause transition. Female sexual medicine concerns are addressed from a biopsychosocial approach and treatment plans always include education. She is a LGBTQIA+, kink-positive and a trauma-informed provider. She prides herself on taking the time to educate patients on her evaluation and treatment plan so they can be a partner in their own care.  

The whole person approach is important, and she works closely with her patients’ PCPs, specialists and pelvic floor physical therapists. Special interests include partnering with cancer survivors regarding their sexual health and cancer journey.  

She is also the Medical Director of Sarah’s Place, a 24hr sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) center in Oregon that provides treatment and resources to anyone who has experienced sexual assault, domestic violence or non-fatal strangulation.  

Her surgical skills have taken her on multiple surgical missions to Guatemala and she helped found the surgical non-profit Scenic Northwest Surgical Outreach.  

As an undergraduate at Central Washington University, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology with minors in sociology and chemistry. She earned her master’s in physician assistant studies through Heritage University. Her expertise in menopause care and holistic sexual medicine has come from additional training via conferences and continuing education.  

Yoga, dancing, music, creating, community and family fill her free time.  

Testimonial

“Speakers were approachable and easy to follow. Easy check in for conference. Very laid-back feel.”

Testimonial

“Having one speaker for each specialty ensured no information was repeated which can occur if multiple speakers are presenting.”

Sarah Bolander, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA 

Events: Destin • Myrtle Beach • Orlando-July • Pensacola-September • Orlando-October

Topic: Orthopedics

Sarah Bolander has been a dedicated PA educator for the past 12 years, serving as faculty at Northern Arizona University and as adjunct faculty with the University of Lynchburg’s DMSc program. She balances her academic career with clinical practice in orthopaedics at Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics, where she has worked for over 18 years. Sarah routinely presents at national conferences and facilitates orthopaedic workshops. She has contributed to book chapters, co-authored a medical review book and published in several peer-reviewed journals. She was the 2024-2025 AAPA-PAEA Research Fellow, focusing her research on PA-specific doctoral degrees. Deeply committed to ongoing medical education and professional development, Sarah serves on several national continuing education committees, including co-chairing the Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS) conference.  

Testimonial

“All of the speakers were informative and fun. They kept my attention for sure!”

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“I felt all of the speakers had a mastery of their specific fields, and I felt confident that I was receiving the most up to date practice guidelines.”

Laura Bush, PA-C

Events: Destin • Orlando-July • Pensacola Beach-September

Topic: Dermatology

Laura Bush, a dermatology Physician Associate, has 34 years of experience. She earned a Master of Medical Science from Emory University in 1991 and a Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg in 2020. She has practiced in emergency medicine, family practice and dermatology for the past 24 years. Laura is a distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates and a Diplomate Fellow of the Society of Dermatology Physician Associates (SDPA). 

Laura has held leadership positions within the Georgia Dermatology Physician Assistants (GDPA) and for the SDPA, where she served as president from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, she is a trustee of the Dermatology Physician Assistant Foundation (DPAF) and a member of the Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) coalition. 

For the past 18 years, she has practiced dermatology in private practice in Fayetteville, Georgia, where she provides exceptional patient care, particularly in complex medical dermatology. 

Alongside her full-time career as a DermPA and extensive volunteer work, Laura guest lectures at PA schools, has published several articles, and enjoys mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers. 

Family is central to everything in her personal life: her son Christopher, who has Down syndrome and brings immense joy; her supportive husband Paul; and her 88-year-old mother, who has more Instagram followers than she does. She enjoys writing in her free time and hopes to publish a book someday soon. 

Testimonial

“The personal aspect by all of the speakers was what I liked most. They spoke about evidence-based claims, as well as incorporated their personal experience and thoughts into these conditions/scenarios.”

Testimonial

“Strong speakers with latest research in disease management, ability to apply to practice, evidenced base.”

Jennifer (Jen) Carlquist, PA-C, FMACP, ER-CAQ

Events: Orlando-July • Hilton Head • Nashville • Austin • Las Vegas

Topic: Cardiology & Emergency Medicine

Jennifer Carlquist is a physician associate of over 18 years who works in inpatient cardiology.  Previously she worked for 16 years in the emergency room. She was one of the first PAs in the country to earn the ER – CAQ.  She has authored papers for various urgent care journals and is a repeat speaker at state and national level conferences.  In her spare time, she enjoys painting, heart themed art, and has been a featured in international art exhibitions and locally in San Francisco, CA. 

Testimonial

“Very informative, provided a depth of understanding and expertise.

Testimonial

“Dr. Hemmer was great! I enjoyed the presentation and learned so much!”

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“I work in orthopedics, and I found these presentations to be very helpful! Great level of detail not often received at other conferences.”

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“Favorite presenter! He was able to mix his clinical medical knowledge with real case scenarios, and provided great humor in between.”

Raymond (Ray) Kleposki, MSN, CPNP-PC

Events: Pensacola-May • Hilton Head • Nashville • Pensacola-September • Austin • Las Vegas

Topic: Orthopedics

Ray Kleposki is a pediatric orthopedic nurse practitioner at Scottish Rite for Children in Frisco, Texas. He runs a nurse practitioner-managed pediatric fracture clinic that focuses on treating acute and subacute pediatric fractures and sports injuries. Ray has been an NP for 25 years, giving more than 90 presentations on orthopedics and sports medicine. He previously served as president of the Pediatric Orthopedic Practitioners Society and was a previous member-at-large on the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON) executive board. He is also an adjunct instructor and clinical resource for Baylor University and the University of Texas, Arlington.  

Testimonial

“The attitude the conference gives out. It is laid back, not uptight and the speakers are knowledgeable with up-to-date information. I never feel like I’m hearing the same old thing again.”

Testimonial

“Strong speakers with latest research in disease management, ability to apply to practice, evidenced base.”

Davida Kruger, MSN, APN-BC, BC-ADM

Events: Pensacola-May • Orlando-July • Nashville • Pensacola-September • Austin • Las Vegas

Topic: Diabetes/Obesity

For more than 40 years, Ms. Kruger has been a certified nurse practitioner in diabetes at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, MI. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from Wayne State University in Detroit and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Boston College. Her role includes clinical practice and research, and she is board-certified in primary care and advanced diabetes management. 

Ms. Kruger has been a Principal Investigator and co-investigator on numerous studies of diabetes interventions and care, including the National Institutes of Health-funded multicenter EDIC and ACCORD trials. She lectures extensively throughout the United States on maximizing outcomes in diabetes and diabetes management. 

She is a past Chair of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Research Foundation and has served on the ADA Research Policy Committee. She is also an ADA Past President, Health Care and Education. She has published more than 100 abstracts, articles and chapters on diabetes management and authored the 2006 second edition of The Diabetes Travel Guide. She has also served as editor-in-chief of two American Diabetes Association (ADA) journals, Diabetes Spectrum and Clinical Diabetes

Her awards include the Florence Nightingale Award for Excellence in Research; ADA’s Rachmeil Levine Award for Distinguished Service, Award for Outstanding Service in Diabetes Research Funding, Wendell Mays Award, and 2017 Outstanding  Educator in Diabetes Award; the 2014 Clara Ford Award for Nursing Excellence in Research and Education, the 2014 Wayne State University School of Nursing Alumna of the Year Award,  the 2017 International Diabetes Center Donnell Etzwiler Memorial Award, the 2024 Henry Ford Medical Group Career award for Education and the 2024 Americas Top Nurse Practitioner in Endocrinology. 

Testimonial

“The speakers were subject matter experts in their field. Simple and concise. I appreciated case studies.”

Testimonial

“The speakers were GREAT! The topics were very relevant to my every workday. The destination was FABULOUS!”

Randee Masciola, DNP, APRN-CNP, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP

Events: Hilton Head • Nashville • Austin

Topic: Women’s Health

Randee L. Masciola, a nationally certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, is an associate clinical professor at The Ohio State University (OSU) and the Director of DNP Education. With more than 28 years of clinical experience, Dr. Masciola is an alumnus of OSU where she received a BSN and MS prior to receiving her DNP from Case. She servers on the Board of Directors of The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and is past board member of the National Association of Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners.  Dr. Masciola received the 2024 Outstanding Service to NONPF award and was awarded the Ohio March of Dimes 2020 Nurse of the Year Award for Academic Education. She is a fellow in American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the National Academies of Practice (Nursing).  

Her scholarship focuses on the role and scope of practice Nurse Practitioners and the DNP in healthcare, APRN education and evidence based sexual and reproductive healthcare. She has written manuscripts and textbook chapters and speaks nationally as a clinical expert on male sexual and reproductive health, global health and evidence based clinical management on multiple female sexual and reproductive health issues. 

Dr. Masciola lives in Alpharetta, GA with her husband of 28 years. She is a die-hard Buckeye fan, and enjoys boating and reading, but her passion is traveling with her husband and young adult children. 

Testimonial

“The topics are always pertinent, and the speakers do a great job keeping everyone engaged.”

Testimonial

“Speakers were organized, knowledgeable, and engaging.”

Heather Roebuck, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP

Events: Pensacola-May • Myrtle Beach • Hilton Head • Orlando-October

Topic: Dermatology

Heather Roebuck has extensive experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology. She has published a dermatology column as well as numerous CEU articles and is a national speaker and promoter of learning for various professional organizations, companies and universities. She is actively involved in dermatologic research and is a national cosmetic instructor. Ms. Roebuck has earned degrees in Biology, Psychology, and Doctor of Nursing Practice and is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She enjoys assisting patients of all ages and abilities with various conditions of the skin. Dr. Roebuck has specialized training in teaching adults and will ensure your learning activities are fun, interactive, and relevant to your current educational needs. 

Testimonial

“Absolutely one of the best women’s health lectures I have heard! Explained material in a way that is easily understood.”

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“Amazing presenter and speaker! She was engaging and funny which made maintaining my attention easy.

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Excellent presenter!! Available for discussion and clarification and additional questions.

Testimonial

As the father of 2 LGBTQ children, I truly appreciate your dedication and passion for this community. I’ve seen too many “professionals” verbalize their personal/political beliefs and it leads me to doubt their ability to avoid implicit bias in their medical/nursing practices and decisions.

Sarah Schroeder, PhD, ACNP-BC, MSN RN, AACC

Events: Penscaola-May • Destin • Myrtle Beach • Pensacola-September • Orlando-October

Topic: Cardiology & Emergency Medicine

Sarah E Schroeder is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of cardiac experience as a nurse, and 15 years of cardiac experience as a NP. She finished her PhD in nursing with a focus of frailty assessment in advanced heart failure and left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) in December 2022, and continues her passion for improving quality of life in the LVAD population, at Bryan Heart in Lincoln, NE. She started as a Diploma graduate from Bryan School of Nursing in 2001, which then led to her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2007 and Master of Science in Nursing in 2010, all from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, Nebraska.  

Sarah has worked the last 11 years as a Mechanical Circulatory Support Nurse Practitioner and Program Manager and has served on multiple boards for societies in her field (ICCAC, ISHLT, ASAIO) and recently is the Past-president for the newly created VAD-C™ Certification exam. She is a leader in the nursing and allied health field of mechanical circulatory support and enjoys mentoring others to push themselves to be their best versions of themselves.  

With a passion for research in the field of advanced heart failure and mechanical devices, she is the Principal Investigator for two multi-center studies, including the feasibility testing of a new tool to help LVAD patients anticipate expectations following the choice of LVAD therapy. She has contributed as a co-author to multiple critical care/cardiac chapters in the last few years and has a variety of peer-reviewed publications.  

She enjoys travelling with her family, attending a college swimming meet for one of her two college-aged sons, or simply taking a jog outside to enjoy nature and the surrounding elements.  

Testimonial

“Overall the diversity of topics, location, opportunity to network and it was my first time attending this particular conference therefore most of my expectations were met.”

Testimonial

“The presenters were very knowledgeable and entertaining. They kept my attention throughout the day and encouraged the audience to interact.”

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