Speakers
We’re proud to feature a list of prominent speakers who are at the forefront of their fields. These professionals are always eager to share their knowledge and inspire like-minded enthusiasts. Read more about this year’s speakers below, and contact us if you would like to learn more information.
Keynote Speaker
KATHERINE KLIMITAS
Katherine Klimitas is a New Orleans-based artist and designer who sold her first watercolor at age 10. As the daughter of veterinarians, Katherine expresses her family’s life-long love of animals through her meticulous life-like paintings. She earned a B.A. from Loyola University in 2011, and today at age 33, runs her multifaceted business KAK ART & Designs from home. When clients learn that Katherine has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, they are captivated by her unique perspective. She and her parents stopped counting her broken bones at 500 at age 10. She’s 2 feet 7 inches tall, gets around in an electric wheelchair, and creates all of her art, jewelry and commercial graphic design while lying on her side.
“Looking Up” is a glimpse into Katherine’s world, a world unlike most. Because she spends most of her time in an electric wheelchair due to her physical condition, she spends a lot of her time looking up. Though the book began as her college senior project, it evolved shortly thereafter into her story, complete with anecdotes, humor, and powerful photography.
Katherine speaks to a variety of audiences, including high school and college students, medical professionals, and education professionals, spreading her message of perseverance and creativity.
Panel Moderator
Meredith Sarringhaus
is an accomplished Recruiting Director at GIFTED Healthcare with a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University as well as a Master of Health
Administration (MHA) from the Ohio State University. Over her 16 years of healthcare experience in
hospital and non-hospital settings, Meredith has become an expert in the field with a wealth of
experience in Sales, Account Management, and Staffing.
Her passion for patient care and advocacy drives her to tackle every challenge with tenacity and
unwavering dedication. Mentoring her team, developing relationships with clients, and collaborating
with colleagues all come naturally to Meredith. She gives nothing but her best and always strives for
excellence, setting an example that inspires her team to do the same.
In her free time, Meredith can be found exploring the great outdoors with her furry companion, Tigger,
or indulging in the rich culture and culinary delights of New Orleans. Her infectious zest for life
motivates her to seek new ways to make a positive impact on her community. Meredith resides in New
Orleans with her loving husband and dog, making her an integral part of the GIFTED Healthcare team
with her boundless energy, expertise, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Speakers
Movers and Shakers
Destination: Hawaii
Donna Robinson, Travel Tax
Taxes
Donna Robinson is the Operations Manager for TravelTax and TravelTax Canada. Donna has a degree in Business Finance with a minor in French from Bob Jones University. She started her career working as an executive for a multi-state retail store for 3 years before entering the fundraising industry helping raise the necessary funds for schools and civic groups as an area sales representative. She was a consultant in the insurance field for over 18 years advising business clients and their employees (in 4 states and DC) on benefit issues and compliance issues. She left that position to pursue her project management certifications.
In 2018 she joined TravelTax as the Operations Manager. She knew that it would be an exciting project to help move TravelTax from Nebraska to South Carolina and set up new operations systems and procedures, but it has turned into a much bigger opportunity. Donna loves working with TravelTax staff and clients and is motivated to fulfill the company’s vision of helping medical, cross-border, and international travelers. She loves spending time with her entire family including her sons, grandkids, twin sister and their families.
Mary Carney has been an RN for over 40 years- working in neonatal, pediatric, and adult critical care - 38 years of that on night shift. She worked as a bedside RN until completing her DNP in 2016. Her master's and doctoral research focused on the lived experience of night shift healthcare workers, and the role that the 'culture of fatigue' impacts that work. Mary is a graduate of Purdue, Western Governors, and Touro Universities. She is a popular conference speaker and currently works with WGU's innovative BSN program from her home in Lake City, Florida.
Dr. Sandra Risoldi DNP, MSN Ed., APRN, PMHNP-BC*
Preventing Violence in Healthcare
Dr. Sandra Risoldi is a mother, to 2 amazing teens, that possesses a passion for advocacy, safety, and quality education for healthcare workers. In August 2019, Dr. Risoldi successfully completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with the published project, “Preventing Patient on Nurse Violence Through Education©”, creating a 501 c(3) nonprofit Nurses Against Violence
Unite, Inc.®, which sparked an international movement to support frontline healthcare workers and end healthcare violence. The mission of Nurses Against Violence Unite, Inc.® is to bring
awareness to the issues, fill the gaps of education, empower all while eliminating violence in healthcare. Among many accomplishments, Dr. Risoldi is a #1 Best Selling Author, was invited to be on “The Doctors” TV Talk Show “Nurses Under Attack”, presented “Preventing Psychological and Physical Abuse of Frontline Healthcare Workers” for the American Psychological Academy (APA) Conference plus The American Academy of Nurse Attorneys,
CNA, and the Nurses Service Organization (NSO) among many organizations, news features and articles. In May 2021, Dr. Risoldi completed and achieved honors towards a Psychiatric Mental
Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate over the two-years in the program. May 2022, Nurses Against Violence Unite, Inc. was the co-organizer for the Nurse’s March in Washington, DC and recently unveiled the Holistic Crisis Prevention (Violence Prevention)
program for the Registered Nurses Professional Association (RNPA) in San Jose, CA with glowing reviews. It is Dr. Risoldi’s mission is not only safety, but to uplift, inspire, and comfort all those in healthcare and the communities that we serve.
Emily Cheng,
BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC
Preventing Violence in Healthcare
Emily Cheng is a multipotentialite Critical Care Travel Nurse turned Nurse Innovator/Entrepreneur - CEO & Co-Founder of MedVenture App, an app to unite traveling healthcare professionals through community, resources, and tools. Passionate about supporting our traveling healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to respond to staffing shortages all around the country.
Not one who's satisfied with the status quo, Emily is a thought-leader, life-long learner, and change-maker. She loves to create and implement strategies and systems. She loves intersectionality - between healthcare, impact, environmentalism, diversity, equity, and inclusion, personal development, the great outdoors, and digital creation.
On her time off, you can find her backpacking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, meditating, journaling, traveling - anything that helps her connect to her passions, the natural world, herself, and others!
How to Navigate Salary Negotiations effectively.
After mentoring & coaching thousands, 5 Minute Career Hack is on a mission to get Career Hacks to everyone!
5 Minute Career Hack started with three individuals that have worked together for close to a decade. Combined they have over 60+ years experience in corporate America leading teams, operations, merchandising, Human Resources, a long list of accomplishments, and valuable strategies & lessons that they decided must be shared.
Jamila Brown, Candyce Hunt & Alicia Wade are passionate about helping organizations and leaders achieve the greatest heights personally and professionally.
A nursing advocate for nearly a decade, and a travel healthcare enthusiast. I have been on both sides of the travel industry working first as a travel RN & then as a travel RN recruiter. I’m excited to share the knowledge I’ve gained to help travelers navigate this tricky business!
Lindsey Lawson, RN
Travel Nursing for beginners and Travel Nursing with pets
Tania Loumiet is a highly accomplished Registered Nurse (RN) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. With over 31 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Tania has established herself as a seasoned professional who is passionate about creating innovative processes, mentoring staff, and providing exceptional patient care.
Throughout her career, Tania has demonstrated her ability to take on new challenges and succeed in diverse environments. She started her journey in the inner-city Emergency Department at Charity Hospital in New Orleans before moving to the Northshore, where she helped to transition patients to Lakeview Regional Medical Center. Tania was then offered a position at Louisiana Heart Hospital in Lacombe, where she played a key role in creating the Emergency Department, Day Patient, and Employee Health programs. She later joined Slidell Memorial Hospital as the Director of Emergency Services and was instrumental in the construction of a new 31-bed Emergency Department as part of a 2-story hospital expansion.
Tania's leadership and commitment to her profession have been recognized through several prestigious awards, including the Katrina Hero Award, the Louisiana Great 100 Nurse Award, and the New Orleans City Business Healthcare Heroes Award. In addition to her clinical work, Tania has served on the Parish Behavioral Health Task Force/Safe Haven Advisory Committee and other multidisciplinary committees focused on improving healthcare in St. Tammany Parish.
As the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) with Gifted Healthcare, Tania continues to advocate for nurses and patients, leveraging her extensive experience to drive positive change in the industry. Tania's dedication to mentoring new staff and making a positive difference in patients' lives is unwavering, and she remains committed to advancing the healthcare profession through innovative thinking and collaboration.