Medicine, genetic and non-genetic factors, Clinical Research, Human Biology, Biological Anthropology, Social Anthropology

Dr. Fejerman focuses on the discovery of genetic and non-genetic factors that contribute to breast cancer risk and prognosis in Latinas. Her past work established a relationship between genetic ancestry and breast cancer risk, where higher European ancestry in U.S. and Mexican Latinas was associated with an increased risk. Her subsequent research has built upon this observation, exploring genetic variants, through admixture mapping and genome-wide association approaches, as well as the possible environmental and lifestyle related factors, and ancestry-gene interactions. Recent work explores disparities in breast cancer prognosis by genetic ancestry in Latinas and its potential causes.

Biotechnology, Clinical Development, Pharmaceutical Industry, Biotechnology, Clinical Trials, Drug Development, Biopharmaceuticals, Pharmaceutics, Orphan Drug Space, Diabetes T1/2, Respiratory, Oncology, Medical-cannabis Drug Development

Pnina (Paula) Strauss-Levy has more than 20 years of experience in the pharma industry, serving as Vice President of clinical, IP, and regulatory affairs in global, dually listed (NASDAQ & TASE) pharmaceutical firms. Ms. Strauss-Levy holds specific expertise in Orphan Drug space, Diabetes T1/2, Respiratory, Oncology, Vaccination, and Medical-Cannabis drug development as well as IPO processes and Intellectual property. Through her newly-established firm, Strauss-Levy, and Co. LTD provides clinical management, supervision, and consulting services to the pharma industry (phases, I-IV & PMS) including strategic clinical and regulatory planning (FDA/ EMA/ EU-CA/IMH oriented) and clinical project execution. Ms. Strauss-Levy is also a formal clinical consultant and local focal point of PCI Pharma Services, a US, full-service CMO provider, and a lecturer at the MBA Bio-Medical program at the College of Management in Rishon Lezion.

Health Policy, Healthcare Economics, Clinical Nursing Research, Nursing Research, Nursing, Nursing Theory, Health Services Research, Nursing Leadership

David Benton took up his current post as Chief Executive Officer of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in the United States on the 1st of October 2015. For the previous 10 years, he worked at the International Council of Nurses in Geneva, Switzerland, first as their consultant on nursing and health policy specializing in regulation, licensing, and education; and then as chief executive officer.

Dr. Benton qualified as a general and mental health nurse at the then Highland College of Nursing and Midwifery in Inverness, Scotland. His M Phil research degree focused on the application of computer-assisted learning to post-basic nurse education. He has, during the past 30 years published articles in relation to research, practice, education, leadership, regulation, and policy topics. He has a Ph.D. Summa Cum Laude from the University of Completeness for his work researching an international comparative analysis of the regulation of the nursing practice.

Dr. Benton has held senior roles for 25 years across a range of organizations. These roles have included working as Executive Director of Nursing at a Health Authority in London, as a senior civil servant in Northern and Yorkshire Region, as Chief Executive of a Nurse Regulatory body in Scotland, and as Nurse Director of a University Trust Health System.

Dr. Benton is the recipient of several awards and honors. He is particularly proud of being awarded the inaugural Nursing Standard Leadership award in 1993. He was presented with Fellowship of the Florence Nightingale Foundation in 2001, awarded Fellowship of the Royal College of Nursing in 2003 for his contribution to health and nursing policy, and most recently became a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2015.

Cardiothoracic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Valve Disease and Surgery, Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Surgery, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement, Aortic Disease, Endocarditis, Cardiac Reoperations

Faisal Bakaeen, MD, is a cardiac surgeon in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in the Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute. He is board-certified in surgery and cardiac and thoracic surgery. Dr. Bakaeen is Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.

Dr. Bakaeen earned his degree in medicine and surgery with honors from the University of Cambridge School of Medicine, Cambridge, UK, and completed his postgraduate training at the University of Cambridge School of Medicine Teaching Hospitals. He served a residency in general surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., followed by a cardiothoracic surgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. He completed his subspecialty training in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and complex cardiac procedures at Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland. Dr. Bakaeen was appointed to the Cleveland Clinic medical staff in 2015.

Pediatrics, Psychology, Patient Care, Patient Safety, Medical Education, Medicine, Clinical Research, Healthcare

“Dr Ben” was raised in the East Cobb part of North Atlanta, and moved to Savannah for his residency training. He joined Pediatric Associates of Savannah after working with some of the physicians here, based on their strong sense of community, leadership, and patient advocacy. Dr Ben has held various roles with the American Academy of Pediatrics on both the state and national levels, and is presently President of the Georgia AAP, where he helps work with pediatric leaders from across Georgia to shape the healthcare landscape for children.