Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Florida State Budget Analysis (Florida Policy Institute) Learn more about the Florida Voices for Health Advocacy Collaborative Speaker Bios: Ron Watson Mr. Ron Watson is Founder and President of Watson Strategies, a full-service healthcare lobbying firm based in Tallahassee. He is also a founder of MuV by Verano and was Director of Governmental Relations and NW Florida Outreach Coordinator. MuV is one of the Florida licensed medical marijuana treatment centers with 80 locations (MMTC) which Mr Watson helped form when he spearheaded the passage of the original “Charlotte’s Web / Low-THC Cannabis” bill as well as the passage of SB 8-A, which implements the Constitutional Amendment on medical marijuana. Mr. Watson has over 35 years of experience in Florida political, regulatory, campaign and lobbying endeavors. He previously lobbied for physicians and dentists with the Florida Medical Association (FMA), the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association (FOMA), and the Florida Dental Association (FDA). He was also formerly the Executive Director of the Florida Society of Cannabis Physicians. During this time, he has developed excellent relationships with executive, legislative and regulatory leadership throughout Florida government. Mr. Watson has a comprehensive knowledge of laws, rules, budgets and regulations concerning medical, dental, pharmaceutical, tort reform and insurance issues. He also has extensive political involvement with patient advocacy and grassroots organizations, as well as organizing and managing political action committees. Jonathan Webber Jonathan is the Florida Policy Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond. The SPLC works in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. He has worked in Florida’s policy and political landscape since 2009, driven by a deep belief that the people of Florida deserve strong, principled advocates. In his current role, he leads statewide advocacy efforts across a wide range of civil and human rights issues, including voting rights, criminal legal system reform, eradicating poverty, education, and combatting hate and extremism. His expertise and advocacy have been featured in every major news outlet in the state, as well as in national and international publications including The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian. Jonathan graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in political science and minors in anthropology and Latin American & Caribbean studies. He later earned his master’s degree in political science from Florida State University. Originally from Fort Lauderdale, he now lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Rachel, and their son, Raymond. Rep. Bruce Antone Former Florida State Representative Bruce Antone served twelve years (six terms) in the Florida Legislature from 2002 to 2006, from 2012 to 2020, and again from 2022, representing parts of Orlando. He was born in Mobile, Alabama. Antone earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Tuskegee Institute. His career experience includes working as a consultant. Antone has served on the Orange County Planning and Zoning Commission and Orange Blossom Trail Development Board. Additional Resources:

Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Map: Medicaid Coverage by County, 2023 (Georgetown Center for Children and Families) Learn more about Families USA’s Affordability Policy Agenda State and District-Level Medicaid Data and Research (Families USA) Speaker Bios: Adam Searing Adam Searing is an Associate Professor of the Practice at the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy’s Center for Children and Families where he focuses on Medicaid and other health coverage programs. Before joining CCF, Mr. Searing served seventeen years as Director of the Health Access Coalition for the North Carolina Justice Center. The Health Access Coalition is North Carolina’s leading voice for health reforms that address the needs of the uninsured and underinsured. During his tenure, Searing fought to keep health plans and hospitals nonprofit and community-focused, won and helped implement expansions of the state Medicaid program, helped pass a model state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and worked on passage and implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act. In addition, Mr. Searing taught public policy courses as adjunct faculty at both the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health and the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy. Bailey Reavis Bailey Reavis is the Senior Manager of Government Relations at Families USA, where she leads the organization's work to lower prescription drug costs and expand affordable oral health access. She also assists in legislative and administrative strategy while implementing the organization’s work with federal and state policymakers in Medicare Advantage and private insurance coverage, as well as on all of Families USA’s program areas. She has been active in federal advocacy work for over a decade and prior to joining Families USA, worked at Voices for Progress where she worked with members to advocate on a diverse portfolio of issues, including protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act. She holds a BA in political science from University of Colorado at Boulder. Karla Martinez Karla Martinez is a Senior Policy Analyst at Community Catalyst. In this role, Karla provides policy expertise and technical assistance on immigrant health policy at the national level and to state partners. Before joining Community Catalyst, Karla was a Senior Policy Analyst at Every Texan where she provided policy expertise on statewide health coverage eligibility policy, health care access, and immigrant access. In that role, Karla led community-centered state campaigns and initiatives. Karla has diverse experience in health including providing direct patient education, as an enrollment assister in the Affordable Care Act, and with food programs and policy. Karla has a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University and a master’s in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center. In 2023 Karla was one of 14 young leaders around the country invited to join the inaugural class of Rising Leaders for Results fellows with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. In 2024 Karla was the recipient of the Future of Texas Award for ther significant and demonstrable impact that improved the lives of Texans. Karla is a native Texan, daughter of Mexican immigrants, and current Austin resident.

Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Building Power for Health: The Grassroots Politics of Sustaining and Strengthening Medicaid By Dr. Jamila Michener (Journal of Health Policy, Politics, and Law) Buy “Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics” (Amazon) Keynote Bio: Jamila Michener Jamila Michener, PhD is an associate professor of Government and Public Policy at Cornell University. She is inaugural director of the Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures and Associate Dean of Public Engagement at the Brooks School of Public Policy. She studies poverty, racism, and public policy, with a particular focus on health and housing. She is author of the award-winning book, Fragmented Democracy: Medicaid, Federalism, and Unequal Politics.

Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit Impact Across Virginia’s Communities Webinar (video) Learn more about the Florida Oral Health Alliance Oral Health Care for Persons With Disabilities (UPenn) Speakers: Dr. Kasra Rafia Kaz has over two decades of experience in the healthcare space, spanning international development, startups, boards, government, non-profit, and academia. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Policy and Advocacy at the University of Pennsylvania and serves the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the governor-appointed member of the Board of Registration in Dentistry. Prior to this, he served as the Chief Health Equity Officer at CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, leading the largest oral health grantmaking portfolio in the US and national programmatic initiatives advancing equity-centered care delivery and medical-dental integration. Previously, Kaz served as the State Dental Director for Oregon and collaborated with partner state agencies and the Federally Recognized Tribes on dental therapy scope of practice, expansion of Oregon Health Plan dental benefits for veterans and individuals with disability, as well as the inclusion of oral health education in school curriculum. Kaz is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and the Academy of General Dentistry, and a proud alumnus of The Ohio State College of Dentistry, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and the University of Illinois College of Business. Jolene Cartagenova Rodriguez Jolene is a mother of two medically complex children. She is a Family Advocate Champion with Wolfson Children's Hospital and its affiliated clinics. Jolene serves on multiple advisory boards on the local, state, and, recently, national levels. She partners with state and national organizations with her unique dual perspectives as a professional with lived experience in caregiving and navigating the healthcare system. Ben Barber Ben Barber, Vice President of Policy at Virginia Health Catalyst, champions policies that improve Virginians' health and well-being. He builds long-term policy agendas and leads coalitions that address community health needs, with a focus on ensuring all Virginians have comprehensive health insurance that includes oral health coverage as well as ensuring Virginia has the oral health workforce necessary to meet the needs of all Virginians. Ben has over ten years of experience in the health policy field, successfully working with fellow advocates to expand Medicaid coverage eligibility, allow public health professionals to lead Virginia’s local health districts, and secure funding for community health workers, among other policy wins. He is also an expert in health care policy implementation, with deep knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act, and how they work to benefit Virginians.

Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Learn more about the Rural Health Redesign Center Learn more about WellFlorida and the Rural Health Partnership of North Central Florida Speaker Bios: Dr. Denise Schentrup, APRN, DNP Dr. Denise Schentrup is a clinical associate professor at University of Florida College of Nursing and the clinic director of Archer Family Health Care, a certified rural health clinic. She is responsible for administrative oversight of the College’s Faculty Practice Association and Archer Family Health Care. She supervises the clinical staff and provides oversight of the day to day operations of the practice and leads quality improvement initiatives to improve clinical outcomes. She is a member of the implementation team for the electronic health record and provides leadership in clinical documentation within the electronic health record. She is a practicing family nurse practitioner and preceptor to graduate students. She holds the position of secretary/treasurer on the board of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. Dr. Charles Hobson MD MHA Phd, FACS FCCM Charles Hobson, MD is board certified in general surgery and in critical care medicine, and since finishing his fellowship his practice has been exclusively critical care. Dr. Hobson completed his MD at the University of Virginia, an MHA at the University of Washington and a PhD in health services research at the University of Florida. He trained in surgery at the University of Virginia and in critical care at the University of Florida. He spent 10 years in the surgical ICU at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville Fl, and in 2018 began working in the ICUs at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital. In 2020 he was named as the ICU Medical Director and Chief of Critical Care Medicine, and in 2022 he was named Physician of the Year at North Florida Hospital. In 2023 he accepted the position of Chief Medical Officer at HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, a 113 bed hospital that serves rural North Central Florida ane South Georgia. Dr. Hobson’s research interests are in alternative payment methodologies, using clinical and administrative health data to better assess the costs and outcomes of health services. He helped build the joint Brandeis University / American College of Surgeons advanced Alternative Payment Methodology proposal that was approved for development by CMS. Dr. Hobson practiced family medicine in rural Washington State and emergency medicine in rural Virginia, served as medical director for a 2000 inmate maximum-security prison, and established and ran the Emergency Medicine Program for the International Medical Corps in Zenica, Republic of Bosnia and Hercegovina during the war there. He loves cooking with his wife, bodysurfing and snowboarding with his two sons, and loud electric guitars. Steven Davis Steven Davis is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 25 years of experience, the last ten years serving as CEO for two different rural hospitals where he led growth, strategy, improvements in operational excellence and most recently system integration for a ½ Billion-dollar health system in Western PA prior to joining the Rural Health Redesign Center. Steven holds an undergraduate in Health Policy and Administration and an MBA from Penn State University and is a long-time Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. In his current role as Director of Business Development and External Affairs, Steven is leveraging his passion in helping to shape a future for rural communities across the nation by preserving access to care and financial vitality through his experience and unrelenting advocacy. In 2023, Steven climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with a group of health care providers and leaders, pushing himself to discover a new level of resiliency, a resiliency he sees every day as rural health care organizations navigate and increasingly complex and uncertain landscape. Steven and his wife have three children and reside near Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Speaker Bios: Holly Bullard As chief strategy and development officer, Holly spearheads Florida Policy Institute’s fundraising, policy advocacy, coalition building, outreach and communications strategies. She serves, on behalf of FPI, as co-chair for the executive committee for Florida Decides Healthcare, the ballot initiative for Medicaid expansion in Florida. Holly previously served as senior director of Financial Stability Initiatives at United Way Suncoast, overseeing financial stability programs in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota/Manatee areas. She also served at United Way in a policy advocacy capacity. Prior to joining United Way Suncoast, Holly worked as legislative aide to Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, a senior member on the powerful House Financial Services Committee and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She served as his lead adviser on financial services and housing issues, with a focus on financial empowerment for low-income Americans. Prior to her work on Capitol Hill, Holly worked at the U.S. Department of Education and at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Holly has a master's in public policy from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree in political science from Emory University. In 2021, she was named to Emory University's Forty Under 40 list of distinguished alumni. She is proudly a product of Florida public schools. Patrick Haley Patrick Haley was raised in South Florida and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota where he played college football. He spent time volunteering at a cervical and breast cancer clinic in Haiti and working as a clinical researcher in a Multiple Sclerosis clinic in Minneapolis before attending University of Florida College of Medicine. At the College of Medicine, Patrick founded Florida Students for a National Health Program (SNaHP), an organization of medical students, undergrads, and allied health professional students who advocate for Medicare for All. Through his leadership, Florida SNaHP has grown from 5 initial members at 2 medical schools to over 150 members across 7 schools in 3 years. Florida SNaHP has passed county resolutions in support of Medicare for All, has met with 5 legislators across the state to fight the privatization of Medicare under the Trump Administration, and sent students to the Capitol to advocate for the Healthy Florida Act that would transition Florida to a single payer system. Patrick Haley will be graduating from medical school and will be attending NYU Langone Hospital Pediatric Residency in New York City.

Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Learn more about the Anne Braden Organizer Course Learn more about the Midwestern Academy Organizing Training Speaker Bios: Ali Bloomgarden Ali Bloomgarden is the Senior Manager of Advocacy Engagement at Partners In Health United States (PIH-US). At PIH-US, Ali stewards health justice movement-building efforts and advocates alongside community and public health leaders to advance policies that ensure equitable access to social services and build stronger, more just, and responsive community health systems. Ali works closely with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and CHW networks to develop advocacy strategies that elevate CHW power and demand sustainable financing and professional recognition at both the state and federal levels. At the heart of her work is a deep commitment to ensuring that CHW voices and lived experiences remain front and center in all advocacy efforts. Ali is the co-creator and co-leader of the National CHW Policy Working Group, a collaboration with the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW). This open space brings together CHWs and allies from across the U.S. to share policy updates and strategize toward collective action. Ali has worked in advocacy and research positions at the intersection of many fights for justice, from educational equity and voting rights, to harm reduction, prevention, and decarceration efforts. Ali holds an MA in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies from Stanford University and a B.S. in Applied Psychology from New York University. Taylor Aguilera Taylor Aguilera is the Interim Director of Public Policy at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, bringing a decade of experience in advocacy and campaign work. She has led organizing teams across the Southeastern U.S., driving voter registration, petition efforts, and get-out-the-vote campaigns for both issue-based and electoral initiatives. Taylor holds a degree from Hillsborough Community College in Political Science and has studied Communications at Florida International University. Most recently, Taylor served as the statewide organizing director for the campaign to qualify and mobilize voters for Florida’s Amendment 4, which sought to limit government interference with abortion. Under her leadership, 6 million voters were mobilized in support of the amendment. Before transitioning to political advocacy, Taylor worked in the criminal justice system, first as a courtroom clerk and then as a paralegal with the Public Defender's Office in Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit. It was here that her passion for reform and social justice was ignited. Witnessing firsthand the systemic injustices in her community, Taylor decided to shift her focus to organizing, striving to create meaningful change through electing the right leaders and empowering communities to make their voices heard. Outside of her work in public policy, Taylor enjoys spending quality time with her two young sons, making family a top priority.

Watch the full session here. Additional Resources: Presentation Slides: The Power of Legal Advocacy (Disability Rights Florida) Presentation Slides: Public Charities Can Lobby: How Your 501(c)(3) Can Influence Policy for the Greater Good (Alliance for Justice) Speaker Bios: Tim Mooney Tim Mooney, Senior Counsel at Alliance for Justice, has guided nonprofits through the maze of political and tax-exempt law for over two decades. His ability to present legal concepts in an interesting and accessible way is heightened by his passion for making a positive difference for every community. At the heart of his work, Tim empowers organizations to elevate their impact, challenge the status quo, and drive meaningful progress. Caitlyn Gibbon Caitlyn Clibbon is the Director of the Community and Healthcare Services Team at Disability Rights Florida (DRF). Caitlyn leads a team of advocates and attorneys who assist individuals with disabilities in matters related to Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers, denials of medical services and equipment, and issues related to community integration. Caitlyn is an attorney passionate about advocating for the civil rights of all individuals. She was previously a Public Policy Advocate at DRF and, prior to joining DRF, represented individuals in various matters relating to healthcare, education, dependency, delinquency, and criminal justice. Prior to joining the legal profession, Caitlyn was a social worker who advocated for children in the foster care system and survivors of domestic violence. Katie Roders Turner Katie Roders Turner is the Executive Director of the Family Healthcare Foundation, a Tampa Bay nonprofit dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves access to affordable healthcare coverage. Katie is a distinguished expert in health policy, human services programs, public affairs, grants administration, and nonprofit management. Regularly featured on major media outlets, Katie's voice is pivotal in public health discussions. Rooted in civic service, Katie's leadership is shaped by her foundational experiences as a Peace Corps Volunteer, a Global Health intern with USAID, an AmeriCorps Nevada Conservation Corps member, Ryan White Medical Case Manager, and home health care provider for consumers with developmental disabilities; all of these guide her unwavering commitment to healthcare equity. Katie has a Master’s degree in Public Health and a Bachelor’s degree in Women Studies.

Watch the full session here. Speaker Bios: Dr. Joel Rudman Joel Rudman is an American politician and physician who served as a state representative for the 3rd district in the Florida House of Representatives from 2022 through 2025. Rudman resides in Navarre, his legislative district's largest community, and is a member of the Republican Party. In addition to being a state representative, Rudman is also a Board Certified family physician. He operates a local medical clinic called Holley Navarre Medical Clinic. He also worked for 13 years as a NASCAR staff physician at Daytona International Speedway. Alison Betty Alison is the co-founder of alignco, a Washington, DC-based consulting firm specializing in political and issue-based strategic communications and management. For the past decade, Alison has been one of the nation’s leading communications experts on health and health care policy. Alison is also a certified life and leadership coach and collaborates with senior, executive leaders from both the public and private sectors to help them align their passion and perspective with their management approach and public personas. Susan Harbin Susan Harbin is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) Senior Director for Government Relations in Florida. Prior to her role at ACS CAN, she served as Deputy Director of Public Policy at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), advocating for Florida’s counties before the state and federal governments. During her tenure with FAC, Ms. Harbin covered issues relating to health care and human services, agriculture, environment, growth management, and transportation. Prior to joining FAC, Ms. Harbin served as Legislative Counsel for the Broward County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards. She is a 2009 graduate from the Florida State University College of Law and has a degree in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Georgia. Ms. Harbin is a native of Rome, Georgia and now resides in Tallahassee. She is also a member of the Florida Bar.

Speaker Bios: Rachel Madley, Ph.D., Executive Director, Center for Health and Democracy Rachel is the Executive Director of the Center for Health and Democracy. She previously worked as health policy advisor to Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and in the legislative affairs office at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Rachel received her PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from Columbia University where she was also a member of the executive board of Students for a National Health Program and Physicians for a National Health Program. She received her Bachelor of Science with honors from the University of Michigan. Her work has been widely published in outlets including The New York Times, Business Insider, and Newsweek. David Theroux, FACHE MBA, CEO, Hendry Regional Medical Center David joined the team at Hendry Regional Medical Center in July of 2007. Since that time, he has assumed progressive levels of responsibility. From February, 2018 when he was appointed as the hospital's Chief Operating Officer, ultimately leading to him becoming CEO in 2025. David holds a Masters of Business Administration from South University and is credentialed as a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. David has over 28 years in the healthcare industry with experience in clinical operations, life safety, emergency management, compliance, and facility operations. Miriam Straus, JD, Policy Advisor, Georgetown Center for Health Policy and the Law Miriam is the associate director at the Center for Health Law and Policy at the O’Neill Institute, where she focuses on Medicare Advantage and commercial health care cost containment. Straus advises federal and state policymakers, analyzes key health care litigation, and provides public education on a wide range of pressing health policy issues. Straus has significant experience in health law and policy. Prior to joining the O’Neill Institute, she was a policy advisor at Community Catalyst, where she advocated for state and federal actions to address medical debt, health care consolidation, and private equity in health care. In that position, Straus testified in support of state and federal efforts to lower health care costs, drafted coalition comments on federal rules, and provided technical assistance to state and federal policymakers. Additional Resources: Center for Health and Democracy Issues Private Equity Stakeholder Project Healthcare Resources Join the Florida Rural Health Association

Speaker: Lynette Fields, MSW, Executive Director, Poverty Solutions Group Lynette comes to Poverty Solutions Group with over 30 years of cross-community work experience. She has a B.A. in Pre-theology from the University of Evansville and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. She served as a missionary through the United Methodist Church in the Miami area before leading local and global missions at St. Luke's United Methodist Church for more than two decades. She has been the Executive Director of Poverty Solutions Group since its launch in 2020. She is excited about being a part of an emerging movement across the country that is shifting the conversation and work from poverty management to poverty reduction.  Additional Resources: Learn More about the Poverty Solutions Group Beyond The Cliff National Coalition Beyond the Cliff Policy Agenda (below)

Speaker Bios: Bailey Reavis, Manager of Federal Relations, Families USA Bailey is the Manager of Federal Relations at Families USA, where she helps implement the organization’s work with federal policymakers and key national partners on all of Families USA’s program areas. Prior to joining Families USA, Reavis worked at Voices for Progress, an organization focused on protecting our climate, strengthening our democracy, and ensuring economic and social justice for all. There she worked with members to advocate on a diverse portfolio of issues, including protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act. Reavis holds a BA in political science from University of Colorado at Boulder. Vincent DeMarco, President, Maryland Citizen's Health Initiative Vincent is a longtime public health advocate whose work has advanced policies to reduce teen smoking, underage drinking, gun violence, and expand access to affordable health care. His advocacy helped Maryland achieve one of the nation’s lowest smoking rates, reduce drunk-driving deaths, and expand health insurance coverage to more than 30,000 people. As National Coordinator of Faith United Against Tobacco, he played a key role in the 2009 federal legislation authorizing FDA regulation of tobacco products. He also serves as Board Chair of the Maryland Clean Energy Jobs Initiative and Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He is the subject of a book by former FTC Chair and Advocacy Institute co-founder Michael Pertschuk entitled “The DeMarco Factor: Transforming Public Will Into Political Power.” Charlie M. Turley, PharmD, Chief Administrative Officer, Palms Medical Group (Trenton Medical Center) Charlie is a recognized leader in medication affordability and rural healthcare access. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Pharmacy (2004), he has spent more than 19 years advancing patient-centered pharmacy services at Palms Medical Group. Since joining the organization in 2006, Charlie has played a pivotal role in expanding pharmacy operations from a single site to ten community pharmacies, significantly improving access to essential medications and care for underserved populations.  Throughout his tenure, Charlie has championed innovative strategies to reduce medication costs, integrate pharmacy into the broader care team, and strengthen the role of community pharmacists in chronic disease management. His work has supported thousands of patients in navigating financial barriers while enhancing the quality and continuity of care across rural North Florida. Donna Sabatino, RN, ACRN, Director State Policy & Advocacy, The AIDS Institute (Moderator) Donna leads The AIDS Institute (TAI) as Director of State Policy & Advocacy (Florida). She also leads the Policy & Advocacy work nationally for the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care.  Donna was appointed to the Florida Public Health Association board, chairs their policy & advocacy committee and received their prestigious Meritorious Service Award. She presently sits on the board of the Southern AIDS Coalition and policy committee. Donna has been in the HIV fight for over 3 decades and has held positions ranging from a bedside RN in a dedicated HIV/AIDS Unit in Ft. Lauderdale in the early 1990’s, Director of Operations for a statewide Medicaid Disease Management Program, an Industry partner for many years and now her roles with The AIDS Institute and ANAC. Her dedicated work in this area earned her the 2021 ANAC Helen Miramontes Nurse Advocate award, sponsored by the Until There’s a Cure Foundation.  Additional Resources:

Keynote Speaker: Wendell Potter, Founder, Center for Health and Democracy and the Lower Out-of-Pocket NOW Coalition Wendell Potter is unique in American journalism and advocacy – and uniquely able to influence public policy and media coverage across a broad range of issues about health care and money in politics. A former investigative reporter, Washington correspondent and corporate executive, Wendell delivers an insider’s perspective into those issues as editor-in-chief of his HEALTH CARE un-covered newsletter and through the nonprofit work he leads. Since leaving his 20-year career as an executive at two of the world’s largest health care corporations – Cigna and Humana – Wendell has testified before Congress numerous times to explain how the health insurance industry really works. He made headlines during his first appearance as a whistleblower when he described in Senate testimony how health insurers “confuse their customers and dump the sick, all so they can appease their Wall Street Investors." Wendell is a bestselling author and journalist whose work has been published inThe New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and many other media outlets. In addition, he is the founder and president of the Center for Health and Democracy and leads the Lower Out-of-Pockets (LOOP) NOW coalition, which works with policymakers, employers and health benefits consultants to reduce the unsustainably high deductibles and other cost-sharing requirements that burden millions of American families. He also has helped produce four documentaries that delve into various aspects of the U.S. health care system.

Speaker Bios: Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani, FL State District 42 Anna is a bold advocate for Florida families and the working class, is born and raised in Orlando. She’s a State House Representative with a background in nonprofit management and a PhD in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. She also serves as the Founder and Executive Director of People Power for Florida, a voter registration and engagement organization. In 2018, she made history by flipping her legislative seat and becoming Florida’s first Iranian-American elected official. Known nationally for her advocacy on housing affordability, healthcare access, public education, equality, tax policy, and environmental issues, Anna secured a permanent tax break on children’s diapers and adult incontinence products in 2023 and has passed bipartisan bills focused on children and community safety. Prior to running for office, Anna served as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communication at Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. In addition to her work as a public servant, Anna also continues to work in the nonprofit sector and serves as a Senior Colloborations Manager for NEO Philanthropy. A problem solver with a track record of kind sacrifice, endless hard work, and iron-clad values, Anna is known across the state and nation as a leader who is unbothered, unbossed, and committed to the people of Florida. Sophia Tripoli, Senior Director of Health Policy, Families USA Sophia is a strategic and innovative health policy thought leader, and oversees and leads Families USA’s strategic development and framework on all aspect of its health policy priorities including guidance on federal and state health policy that will improve health care and health for all families and individuals in America. Prior to this role, Tripoli lead Families USA’s work on value initiatives that focus on re-orienting the health care system to deliver health, lowering health care costs, and on forwarding consumer-focused policy agendas to improve health care delivery and payment systems. Tripoli represents Families USA on the Board of Directors for the Health Care Transformation Task Force, and serves on the Accountable Care Action Collaborative for the Health Care Payment Learning & Action Network. Tripoli previously worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), State Innovation, and at the National Governors Association. Tripoli holds an MPH and a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs with a concentration in global public health, both from The George Washington University. Ron Watson, Founder & Lobbyist, Watson Strategies Ron is Founder and President of Watson Strategies, a Tallahassee-based healthcare lobbying firm. With more than 35 years of experience in Florida’s political, regulatory, and advocacy landscape, he has represented physicians, dentists, and healthcare organizations, including the Florida Medical Association, Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, and Florida Dental Association. He also served as Executive Director of the Florida Society of Cannabis Physicians and helped lead passage of Florida’s original low-THC cannabis legislation and implementation of the state’s medical marijuana constitutional amendment. Watson brings extensive expertise in healthcare policy, insurance, and regulatory issues, along with strong relationships across Florida’s executive, legislative, and advocacy communities. Erica Monet Li, MPH, CHES®, Health Policy Analyst, Florida Policy Institute (Moderator) Erica is a public health professional specializing in health equity and behavioral sciences. As a Health Policy Analyst at the Florida Policy Institute, she focuses on Medicaid, child health insurance, and state healthcare budget initiatives. Previously, Erica served as Equity Operations Manager at the Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative and led community health assessments in Atlanta focused on HIV treatment and public housing impacts. A former host of the "Black Health Now" radio show, she holds an MPH from Emory University and a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences from the University of Missouri. Additional Resources:

Speaker Bios: Abby Carter Emanuelson, MPA, Executive Director, North Carolina Alliance for Health Abby Carter Emanuelson is Executive Director of the North Carolina Alliance for Health, where she leads statewide policy and advocacy efforts to advance health equity and improve access to the resources families need to thrive. With more than 25 years of experience in public policy, strategic advocacy, and coalition leadership, she is known for building broad partnerships that translate community priorities into meaningful policy change. Prior to joining NCAH, Abby served as Executive Director of Care4Carolina, where she led a coalition of more than 200 organizations that successfully championed Medicaid expansion in North Carolina—one of the most significant health policy victories in the state’s history. She holds a Master of Public Administration from North Carolina State University, a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University, and an Associate of Arts from Peace College. Cara Stewart, JD, Attorney, Justice & Joy LLC (Kentucky) Cara Stewart is a Kentucky-born public interest attorney and policy advocate who runs her own public interest law project.  She has worked at Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, served as Chief of Staff for the Kentucky House Democrats, and was Director of Policy Advocacy for Kentucky Voices for Health, where she led statewide coalition work on Medicaid, healthcare access, substance use, behavioral health, and housing access. Her public education and media advocacy have been featured by national outlets such as NPR, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. She has received      multiple awards for her community service and policy impact. Cara lives in Kentucky with her husband, a public middle school teacher, their son Ethan, and their beloved dogs. Samantha Bunk, JD, Health Policy Strategist, Missouri Foundation for Health Samantha (Sami) Bunk is a Senior Health Policy Strategist at the Missouri Foundation for Health, where she leads initiatives advancing maternal health, reproductive justice, and efforts to address medical debt in Missouri. Previously, she spent six years at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri supporting healthcare access for low-income pregnant women, children, and families, and also consulted with the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities through the Consumer Assistance Coordination Hub. She earned a B.A. in political science from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a J.D. with a concentration in health law from Saint Louis University School of Law, where she taught grassroots healthcare advocacy. Susan Harbin, JD, Senior Director of Florida Government Relations, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc. (Moderator) Susan Harbin is the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) Senior Director for Government Relations in Florida. Prior to her role at ACS CAN, she served as Deputy Director of Public Policy at the Florida Association of Counties (FAC), advocating for Florida’s counties before the state and federal governments. During her tenure with FAC, Ms. Harbin covered issues relating to health care and human services, agriculture, environment, growth management, and transportation. Prior to joining FAC, Ms. Harbin served as Legislative Counsel for the Broward County Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Professional Standards. She is a 2009 graduate from the Florida State University College of Law and has a degree in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Georgia. Ms. Harbin is a native of Rome, Georgia and now resides in Tallahassee.  She is also a member of the Florida Bar. Additional Resources:

Tori Samuel Tori Samuel is a dedicated advocate and public speaker who has been living with HIV for 23 years, having been diagnosed at the age of 19. With a career defined by service, Tori spent 10 years working for the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County as the Regional Linkage Retention Coordinator and Perinatal Peer before resigning in 2024. Tori specializes in working with marginalized communities and considers it a blessing to speak for those who cannot always speak for themselves. Currently, she focuses her efforts on sharing her personal story to educate others, break myths, and dismantle the stereotypes surrounding HIV. Her impactful advocacy work, particularly her efforts to save the Florida ADAP program, has been featured in The Washington Post and various other news and magazine articles. Tori remains steadfast in her mission to support the cause and advocate for all people living with HIV Nicole Grabner Nicole Grabner is President of One Voice Coalition Florida and a statewide advocate for disability and autism inclusion. A military veteran and graduate of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council’s Partners in Policymaking program, she works to elevate the voices of individuals with disabilities and their families in policy and community decision-making. Nicole founded One Voice Brevard and has led initiatives promoting disability representation in legislative engagement, including organizing advocacy events in Tallahassee and Brevard County’s first disability-focused candidate forum. A frequent speaker at statewide conferences and advocacy events, she focuses on disability rights, special education, and strengthening supports for families. As a disabled veteran and parent of two autistic children, she brings lived experience to her leadership.

Paul Hull, PhD, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Dr. Paul Hull is the regional head of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Hope Region, which includes 25 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia) plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Hull joined the American Cancer Society in 2002, serving for ten years as the Vice President for Advocacy and Public Policy for the former Florida Division prior to taking on multi-state, regional roles at ACS CAN. He has nearly 40 years of experience in the legislative, government relations, and public policy arenas. During his tenure with the organization, he has driven highly successful campaigns in the areas of smoke-free workplaces, tobacco prevention and education, tobacco taxes, breast cancer screening, and cancer research. Hull came to the American Cancer Society from the Seminole Community College (SCC) administration. While at SCC, he led the federal, state, and local government relations efforts for the institution, which had a $45 million annual budget and an enrollment of 31,000. He gained extensive experience in government and public policy during his nearly 15 years as a legislative staffer, serving in committee analyst roles for several years and then as the chief policy aide for multiple members of Florida Senate leadership. Hull earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida and an MPA from Florida State University. He completed a Ph.D. in Public Policy at Liberty University, with a dissertation on the impact of state investment in cancer research capacity and infrastructure. Hull teaches courses on state and local government and health politics and policy at the University of North Florida. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, he is currently based in that area. He and his wife, Holly, together have six children. Additional Resources:

Speaker Bios: Dr. Frank Catalanotto, President and Founder, Floridians for Dental Access Dr. Frank Catalanotto is the founder and President of Floridians for Dental Access. He is the former dean and currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. While Dean, he initiated the UF Statewide Network for Community Health to provide increased community based educational opportunities for dental students and residents, while also significantly increasing access to oral health care for underserved patients. He was also responsible for Florida’s decision to authorize Medicaid reimbursement of medical personnel for providing preventive dental procedures. He is a Past President of the American Dental Education Association. He is the co-author of more than 110 scientific publications and has been the principal investigator or co-investigator for numerous federal, state and foundation grants. Dr. Catalanotto’s current advocacy efforts are focused on new emerging oral workforce models with a focus on dental therapy. He was a founding member of the National Partnership for Dental Therapy and the National Coalition of Dentists for Health Equity. The opinions he expresses are his own and are not the official opinion of any organization with which he is associated. Dr. Aura Cisneros, Chief Dental Officer, Suncoast Community Health Centers Dr. Aura Cisneros is a dentist, military veteran, and health care leader dedicated to expanding access to oral health care for underserved communities nationally and internationally. She served in the United States Air Force as a Medical Service Corps Officer, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, where she held leadership roles in preventive dentistry and public health.  Dr. Cisneros currently serves as Chief Dental Officer at Suncoast Community Health Centers, where she oversees six general dental clinics, Medical–Dental Integration initiatives, Mobile Dental Programs, and a Pediatric Dental Residency Program. She remains actively engaged in community and statewide initiatives that promote oral health access and equity. Dr. Bill Maas, Assistant Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service (retired) Dr. William (Bill) R. Maas, DDS, MPH, MS is a specialist in dental public health, transitioning after 37 years of federal service to serve since 2009 as an advisor to a variety of efforts to change policy and practice to improve the reach and effectiveness of dental care to improve the oral health of vulnerable populations.  From 1997-2001, he served as the chief dental officer of the U.S. Public Health Service as an Assistant Surgeon General.  Early in his career Dr. Maas provided clinical services with the Indian Health Service.  Later, he served a decade at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as director of its Division of Oral Health. His dental degree is from The University of Michigan, with Omicron Kappa Upsilon honors, and his MPH and MS in health policy and management were earned from Harvard University.  Erica Craven, RDH, CDHC, Oral Health Coalition Manager, Florida Voices for Health (Moderator) Additional Resources:

Speaker Bios:  Holly Bullard, Co-Chair, Florida Decides Healthcare As chief strategy and development officer, Holly spearheads FPI's fundraising, policy advocacy, coalition building, outreach and communications strategies. She previously served as education and working family tax credits policy analyst. Holly previously served as senior director of Financial Stability Initiatives at United Way Suncoast, where she oversaw the planning and implementation of financial stability programs, strategies and collaboratives in the Tampa Bay and Sarasota/Manatee areas. She also served at United Way in a policy advocacy capacity, playing a key role in securing state funding for tax preparation for United Ways in Florida and supported advocacy efforts for federal tax credits for working families and free tax preparation. Holly has a Masters in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a bachelor's degree in political science from Emory University. In 2021, she was named to Emory University's Forty Under 40 list of distinguished alumni. She is proudly a product of Pinellas County public schools and a daughter of Florida public educators. Mitch Emerson, Executive Director, Florida Decides Healthcare Mitch Emerson is a seasoned political operative who has called Florida home for the last 7 election cycles. He has worked and consulted on races at every level of government, with a career that began as a political organizer for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Since then, Mitch has consulted on campaigns in over a dozen states. He has also worked within broader coalitions including multiple federal Super PACs, the Democratic National Committee (DNC), and most recently as the political director for national legislative organizations focused on passing laws to add legal protections for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Speaker Bios: Stacey Hoaglund, PIP Project Coordinator, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. Stacey Hoaglund is the President of Disability Advocacy and Support Specialists, Senior Educational Advocate with Family Network on Disabilities of Broward, Statewide Coordinator of Partners in Policymaking, Immediate Past President of the Autism Society of Florida and disability consultant. As a trainer, Stacey has provided educational opportunities to a vast array of organizations, including National Councils on Disabilities, Pediatric Societies, the Centers for Disease Control, school districts, and state universities. For more than 25 years she has trained on the importance of establishing effective communication in the school, workplace and community, and has promoted, enhanced, and advocated for the inclusion of people with disabilities from birth to adulthood. Rachel Prestipino, Vice President of Policy and Community Engagement, Catalyst Miami Rachel Prestipino (she/her) is an experienced community organizer, policy advocate, and non-profit leader committed to people-led strategies for social change. She currently serves as Vice President of Policy and Community Engagement at Catalyst Miami, working alongside community leaders to advance economic and climate justice so that all Miamians can afford to live well for generations to come. Prior to this role, Rachel served as Executive Director of a local interfaith community organization holding Miami’s public officials accountable for fair policies and practices, and she consulted on a pioneering youth voting campaign in Oakland, CA. Rachel earned a Master of Public Affairs from the University of California, Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. Nicole Grabner, Founder, One Voice Brevard Nicole Grabner is President of One Voice Coalition Florida and a statewide advocate for disability and autism inclusion. A military veteran and graduate of the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council’s Partners in Policymaking program, she works to elevate the voices of individuals with disabilities and their families in policy and community decision-making. Nicole founded One Voice Brevard and has led initiatives promoting disability representation in legislative engagement, including organizing advocacy events in Tallahassee and Brevard County’s first disability-focused candidate forum. A frequent speaker at statewide conferences and advocacy events, she focuses on disability rights, special education, and strengthening supports for families. As a disabled veteran and parent of two autistic children, she brings lived experience to her leadership. Ali Bloomgarden, MA, Community-Centered and Justice-Focused Advocate (Moderator) Ali Bloomgarden served as the Advocacy Engagement Manager at Partners In Health United States, where she supported health justice movement-building efforts and advocates alongside community and public health leaders across the U.S. to advance policies that lead to stronger, more just and responsive community health systems and equitable access to social services. Ali has worked in advocacy and research positions at the intersection of many fights for justice, from mental health justice and decarceration efforts, to educational equity and voting accessibility. Ali holds an MA in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies from Stanford University and a B.S. in Applied Psychology from New York University.

Keynote Speaker: S. Kent Butler, Ph.D., Professor, University of Central Florida Kent Butler, Jr. is a professor of counselor education in the Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, with a concentration in Counseling Psychology, from the University of Connecticut. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and Nationally Certified School Counselor (NCSC). Dr. Butler presently serves as President of the American Counseling Association (2021-2022) and is an ACA Fellow. Dr. Butler formerly served the University of Central Florida as the Interim Chief Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Officer and is a National Association of Chief Diversity Officer in Higher Education Fellow (2020-2021). In March of 2020, he was selected as a Fellow within the National Association of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s Chief Diversity Officer Fellows Program (NADOHE-CDOFP). He is a 2020 – 2021 cohort (C-7) member. The professional leadership program mentors new and early career Chief Diversity Officers. Dr. Butler was also recently promoted to Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida and has served as a Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence within the Office of the Provost. Dr. Butler presently serves as faculty advisor to CHI SIGMA IOTA International Honor Society (CSI), the Counselor Education Doctoral Student Organization (CEDSO), Project for Haiti Knights, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He served as the Principal Investigator, for The High-Risk Delinquent and Dependent Child Educational Research Project: Situational Environmental Circumstances Mentoring Program (SEC), which was a partnership between the University of Central Florida and several Florida universities. This grant opportunity has transitioned into the UCF Young Knights Mentoring Project a program that supports students at Hungerford Elementary School in Eatonville, FL. Also on the national level, Dr. Butler has served the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) as the 2011 – 2012 President and ACA Governing Council Representative (2015 – 2018). He is a proud member of AMCD’s Multicultural Counseling Competencies Revisions Committee which produced the Multicultural Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC). His research and academic interests lie in the areas of Multicultural and International Counseling, Social Justice, Mentoring, Counseling work as it relates specifically to African American males, Group Counseling, School Counseling, and Multicultural Supervision. Areas of Expertise Counselor Education Education Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Counseling Psychology University of Connecticut