2013 Speakers

Marti Barletta
The world's foremost expert on today's mightiest market - women

>Read a Q&A session from keynote speaker Marti Barletta and speaker Ali Cudy

To The Huffington Post, she's "the High Priestess of Marketing to Women;" to TIME magazine, "the Chief Rabbi of the Sheconomy." Renowned business guru Tom Peters calls her "the First Lady of Marketing to Women" and says she "is one of the best presenters, male or female, I've ever seen."

Marti Barletta shows you how to get more customers, make more money per customer and keep customers loyal longer - simply by getting smarter about women. Her first book, Marketing to Women, is available in 19 languages, and her latest book,PrimeTime Women, focuses in on the market's high-spending sweet spot - Boomer women in their mid-life prime – and shows marketers how to use this prime segment's growth, size and buying power to propel their business for the next 20 years. Marti Barletta, president and CEO of The TrendSight Group, and her team are recognized authorities on marketing strategies focused on marketing to women.

As the go-to authority on marketing to women, women in leadership and women's growing role in shaping the 21st century, Barletta has been quoted on CBS, ABC, MSNBC and NPR, as well as in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Economist, USA Today, Fast Company, TIME, Business Week, Inc., and many other publications worldwide.

Ms. Barletta's F500 consulting clients have included Diageo, Ford, GE Appliances, Logitech, Pfizer, Volvo and others. Entrepreneurial clients can access her ideas through webinars, self-study seminars and coaching programs.

A popular speaker internationally, she has enjoyed rave reviews on every continent except Antarctica, including in Australia, Chile, Dubai, Japan and Sweden. She has spoken for hundreds of companies, conferences and associations; and across dozens of industries, including consumer products, financial services, travel and tourism, retail and real estate development, to name a few. She is proud to say that numerous clients have booked her for return appearances.

Her dynamic style, command of her subject and passion for her topic make her a popular speaker. Audiences love her practical tactics tailored to the interests of each audience, her lively style and sense of humor, and her memorable stories about men, women and marketing.

Joseph A. Caprini, MD, MS, FACS, RVT

Joseph A. Caprini, M.D., is Clinical Professor of Surgery at the Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, and also holds the Louis W. Biegler Chair of Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, Illinois.

Dr. Caprini earned his B.S. in biology at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, his M.S. at Northwestern University, and his M.D. at Hahnemann Medical College (now known as Drexel University College of Medicine) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  He completed his internship in medicine at Evanston Hospital and his residency in general surgery at Northwestern University Medical School. He fulfilled a fellowship in surgical hematology at Northwestern University Medical School (now known as the Feinberg School of Medicine) and was Professor of Surgery there from 1996 to July 1, 2009.  He also held professorship at the Robert McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, from 1999 until 2009.

Dr. Caprini has authored or co-authored more than 365 articles, book chapters and abstracts and has presented more than 1485 lectures and 90 exhibits on the study and treatment of venous thromboembolism, venous insufficiency, and related topics. His articles are published in Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, Archives of Internal Medicine, Journal of Arthroplasty, and Journal of Vascular Surgery to name a few.   He serves on the editorial board or as a reviewer for Journal of Vascular Surgery, European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Phlebology, and Journal of Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, among others.  He is a member of many societies, including the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis and the American Venous Forum, where he served as President 2009-2010.  He is also a member of the Society for Vascular Surgery, where he is a Distinguished Fellow.  He is a Founding Member and the first Honorary Fellow of the European Venous Forum, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Society of Hematology, and a founding member and Trustee of the International Surgical Thrombosis Forum.  Dr. Caprini has received numerous honors and awards, among which are the Schweppe Foundation Career Development Award and the Coon Fellowship.

James J. Chao, MD, FACS

Dr. Chao is a Professor of Surgery in the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of California, San Diego. He is a fellowship-trained hand and microvascular surgeon who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the hand and upper extremity, aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery, body contour surgery, and the development of new technologies in the field of plastic surgery.

Dr. Chao is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery and serves as an executive committee member on the Plastic Surgery Research Council. He is recognized for his clinical excellence by his role as the plastic and hand surgeon for the San Diego Chargers NFL Football team and ESPN X Games.

Dr. Chao has been the recipient of numerous prestigious state and national research awards, including the Health Heroes Award by the San Diego Combined Health Agencies for his voluntary surgeries on underprivileged children internationally. The New York Regional Society for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery honored him two consecutive years for his research accomplishments. In addition, he holds multiple research grants and patents with a number of bio-tech companies for the development of novel devices for plastic and hand surgery. The ultimate goal of Dr. Chao's research efforts is to pioneer new state of the art technologies for plastic surgery patients that are not available anywhere else.

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>Read a Q&A session from keynote speaker Marti Barletta and speaker Ali Cudy

Ali Cudby, known as America's number one Bra Coach, is on a mission to help every woman look and feel amazing by discovering her own fab foundations.  Ali is the author of the bestselling book Busted! The Fab Foundations® Guide to Bras That Fit, Flatter and Feel Fantastic, and CEO of Fab Foundations®, a marketing consulting company.  Ali has worked in industries ranging from lingerie to financial services to share her bra fit and wellness methodologies.

Before founding Fab Foundations® Ali was a marketing executive in the media industry at such companies as Discovery Communications, Inc, The New York Times Company and Universal Television.  Ali has an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wharton School of Business and her undergraduate degree is from University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the University's Trustees Council of Penn Women.

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Dr. DuPree received her medical degree from Hahnemann University in 1987 and her undergraduate degree from The University of Pittsburgh in 1983. She is board certified in General Surgery and recently became board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She is a mother, wife, and skilled surgeon who has been honored for her humanitarian endeavors as well as her medical work. She now serves as the Medical Director of The Breast Health Program at Holy Redeemer Health System in Meadowbrook , PA. She has an academic appointment as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and trains young breast surgical fellows in the art and science of breast care.

In October, 1999, she gained national and international attention by performing bilateral skin-sparing mastectomies, in conjunction with plastic surgeon Robert Skalicky, D.O., that were featured live on the internet as the first “reality surgery”. This webcast and its subsequent television documentary received a coveted Gracie Allen Award in New York City in April, 2000 for educating women about the breast cancer journey. Dr. DuPree has contributed to the medical community through the American Society of Breast Surgeons as a foundation board member, public relations committee member, and chairman of The Board of Advocates. She has authored several chapters on breast health and risk reduction. In addition, Dr. DuPree serves on the advisory board for Breastcancer.org, and is considered a thought leader in the field of breast cancer.

Dr. DuPree’s humanitarian honors are comprised of the 2002 Clara Barton Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross for her contributions to the treatment of breast cancer, the 2002 Visions of Hope Award from AstraZeneca, and the 2003 Women Pioneering the Future Award from the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. Dr. DuPree is being honored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as one of the inagural REAL Awards influential healthcare worker in chronic disease care. She has been named one of More and Fitness magazine’s “Ten Fierce Females” at the 10th annual all women NYC half marathon titlled , “Women Run The World” April of 2013. Her local awards include the Northampton Township Citizen of the Month in February, 2003, the Bucks Women’s Fund Award in March, 2007, the “Tristate Team Survivor” achievement award in October, 2007 and Philadelphia Magazine’s first-ever reader-voted “Philly’s Health Hero” in November, 2012.

Dr. DuPree strongly urges her patients to integrate healing therapies with state-of-the-art western medical care. Dr. DuPree believes that “whatever it takes to help a person find healing and peace within should be an integral part of their treatment process” and that, by finding a balance between the mind, body, and spirit, healing can occur. She urges her patients to participate in exercise programs, healthy cooking, nutritional counseling, Reiki, Yoga, and massage. In fact, she herself is a Master-Level Reiki practitioner. Because of her strong dedication to patients with breast cancer and helping them live healthy lifestyles, in 2007, Dr. DuPree established a non-profit organization called The Healing Consciousness Foundation (www.hcfbucks.org). The foundation funds holistic and wellness therapies for women and men living with a breast cancer diagnosis and those at risk for developing breast cancer.(Previvors)

Dr. DuPree’s foundation name was inspired by the book she wrote entitled The Healing Consciousness: A Doctor’s Journey to Healing. It is the true story of her journey as a surgeon who awakens to the healer that resides within her. The first edition was released in 2006 and, in 2008, a second edition printing including transcribed spiritual messages was published. Proceeds from the book are donated to The Healing Consciousness Foundation.

She is a prominent keynote speaker at many national events, primarily addressing women’s health issues, breast cancer, healing, and wellness. Dr DuPree is a frequent breast cancer expert on The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams as well as The Today Show. She is often featured in live tele-surgeries and video conferences to educate physicians and healthcare professionals on state-of-the-art breast care technology and procedures. In her travels throughout the United States and the world she trains other physicians in breast ultrasound, breast surgery, health and wellness hoping to promote a higher quality of care for all women and men requiring breast surgery.

Dr. DuPree has participated in medical mission trips to the Dominican Republic from 2007 – 2011, providing primary care to children and adults in need. In 2012, Dr. DuPree was blessed to be part of a surgical team lead by Dr. Anthony Coletta traveling to Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti performing 34 surgeries in 4 days. The majority of the surgeries were performed on children from a neighboring orphanage.

In April of 2007, Dr. DuPree’s dream of a breast care hospital was realized and the Comprehensive Breast Care Institute opened in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. She served as the Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer until its premature closure in February of 2009. The vision of the facility was to bring together the latest technology with the most effective healing modalities for patients and their families in a welcoming and healing environment. A native of York, Pennsylvania, Dr. DuPree lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, with her husband Joe and their two sons Tom and Dean. Dr. DuPree credits her accomplishments to her family’s constant support.

Heather Ferguson resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband Brian and twin sons Devdan and Dylan.  Prior to the birth of their children in 2006, the Fergusons, like many people, had never heard of lymphedema.  Dylan was born with idiopathic congenital primary lymphedema.  When their insurance company denied coverage of Dylan's compression garments Heather began her advocacy.  Although she had no prior experience in public policy, insurance matters or politics, she immediately set to work on improving coverage not only for her child, but also for all lymphedema sufferers.  Heather first joined forces with her State Representative, and in less than a year they introduced, passed and implemented a North Carolina State Lymphedema Treatment Mandate.  Then turning her sights on bettering coverage nationwide, Heather secured the support of her Congressman to introduce a federal lymphedema bill.   In order to most effectively support passage of this legislation and engage others across the country in lymphedema advocacy, she founded the Lymphedema Advocacy Group.  Heather is the Executive Director of this all-volunteer organization, which is the driving force behind the Lymphedema Treatment Act.

Anna McDevitt is a marketing consultant and graphic designer specializing in home medical marketing. Her background in advertising and experience working with clients from a variety of industries are what bring a unique perspective to the home medical industry. She believes that every provider can create successful marketing by finding the right combination of strategies and materials to answer the marketing objectives of their business. That belief led her to create Laboratory Marketing: an HME-focused marketing company offering effective marketing solutions through education, branding strategy, and design services. 

Anna speaks about marketing throughout the HME community and has contributed articles to industry publications, most recently, the HME News ‘Smart Talk’ column. She lives in Metro Atlanta with her husband and two dogs and has a BA in Visual Communication Design from Kent State University.

Wendy Miller has more than 20 years of experience in the O&P industries, first as a BOC orthotist and now as the Director of Facility Accreditation at the Board of Certification/Accreditation, International (BOC), ensuring excellent customer service and high-quality work processes for BOC’s current and prospective facilities. She communicates frequently with the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) and operates as a liaison between CMS and DMEPOS facilities. She is also an acknowledged and sought-after industry expert, speaking at events and annual conferences for POWER in the past, as well as Essentially Women, AOPA, PFA, and Medtrade. Prior to joining the BOC staff, she served on BOC’s Board of Directors, playing a key role in the development of the orthotic fitter (COF) and mastectomy fitter (CMF) certifications.

Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS

Lillie Shockney has been the administrative director of the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center since 1997. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Lillie has worked tirelessly to improve the care of breast cancer patients around the world. She is a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration from Saint Joseph's College and a Masters in Administrative Science from the Johns Hopkins University. At Johns Hopkins, she is responsible for the quality of care programs; patient education programs; the survivor volunteer team; community outreach at a local, regional and national level; the website and patient advocacy. She is also certified as a breast care oncology nurse and a breast cancer patient navigator. In 2008, the Johns Hopkins Board of Trustees appointed her to a chair as a University Distinguished Service Assistant Professor of Breast Cancer. This is the first time in the history of the institution that a hospital nurse has been appointed to a distinguished service designation.

Lillie is a published author and nationally-recognized public speaker on the subject of breast cancer. She serves on the Leadership Council of the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators, medical advisory boards of several national breast cancer organizations and is the co-founder and vice president of the non-profit Mothers Supporting Daughters with Breast Cancer. She also is a regular contributor to the national ABC News, Good Morning America, the Today Show and CNN.

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Erika D. Williams, MPA

As Ombudsman for the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC), Erika Williams, a native of Denmark, South Carolina is responsible for all aspects of educating the DMEPOS supplier community on Medicare enrollment policies. With more than 10 years combined experience in government and non-profit programs, Erika has managed the community outreach efforts at her local United Way and also worked in provider relations for the South Carolina Medicaid Program. Erika is an active volunteer and community enthusiast serving on numerous advisory councils. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Theater and a Master's degree in Public Administration. Bringing energy to the airways, Erika is also a radio personality for Glory communications, broadcasting on 5 radio stations across South Carolina.