2025 CME Conference Speaker Bios
Amy Butts, PA-C, DFAAPA, BC-ADM, CDCES
Events: Myrtle Beach • Pensacola Beach-Sept • Orlando-Oct • Las Vegas
Topic: Diabetes
Amy Butts is a physician assistant/associate who is a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), a certified diabetes care and education specialist and board certified in advanced diabetes management. Amy has specialized in endocrinology for 24 years. She works as an endocrine PA for WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital in an outpatient endocrine clinic in Wellsburg, West Virginia. She has served on several volunteer groups for ADA and ADCES. She is on the Editorial board for the ADA’s publication Clinical Diabetes. Amy is the current President of ASEPA (American Society of Endocrine Physician Assistants). Amy has spoken at several AAPA conferences and ADA conferences and does education for various CME organizations. She is the owner of Amy Butts Metabolic Consulting, LLC. She has been awarded America’s Top Physician Assistant by Point of Care Network (POCN) for two years, 2020 and 2021.
Barbara (Barb) Dehn, NP
Events: Pensacola Beach-May • Hilton Head • Pensacola Beach-Sept • Austin • Las Vegas
Topic: Women’s Health
Barbara Dehn, MS, NP, is a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and a television health expert. She’s known as Nurse Barb on NBC’s California Live. She earned her master’s degree from UCSF and a BS from Boston College. She is certified by the Menopause Society and is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
She is a sought-after national speaker at medical conferences and the award-winning author of The Hot Guide to a Cool Sexy Menopause, a series of Personal Guides to Women’s Health used by over 7 million women in the US.
She is active in Global Health Initiatives at FAME Hospital in Karatu, Tanzania, where she volunteers regularly and serves on their board.
Angela Golden, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, FOMA
Events: Destin • Hilton Head • Nashville • Austin • Las Vegas
Topic: Cardiology/Obesity
Owner and Family Nurse Practitioner, NP From Home, LLC, Munds Park, Arizona, and NP Obesity Treatment Clinic Flagstaff, Arizona
Angela Golden, DNP, is a family nurse practitioner, owner, and sole provider at NP From Home and NP Obesity Treatment Clinic. She earned her doctoral degree emphasizing health policy and evidence-based practice at Arizona State University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dr. Golden is a member and fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, where she served as past President and founding co-chair of the Obesity Specialty Practice Group/Community. She is a member and Fellow of the Obesity Medicine Association and was Chair of the CME overview committee. She is a member of the Arizona Nurse Practitioners Council (Chapter AZNA) and The Obesity Society, where she serves as the Chair of the TOS Clinical Section.
Dr. Golden has presented at conferences regionally, nationally, and internationally. She authorizes several book chapters and books, including Treating Obesity in Primary Care. Her research has been published in periodicals, including the Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Education Today, Obesity, Population Health Management, and Postgraduate Medicine. Dr. Golden serves as an associate editor for the International Journal of Obesity. She is the recipient of several honors and awards, including the 2023 America’s Top NP Award, the 2021 Steelman-Seim Educator Award for Excellence in Academics from the Obesity Medicine Association, the NP Excellence Award from AANP, and the Dr. Wm. David LaFevers Memorial Lectureship Award from the Advanced Practice Nurses of the Ozarks.
Christopher Hemmer, DNP, ANP-BC, ONP-C, FAANP
Events: Pensacola Beach-May • Hilton Head • Austin • Las Vegas
Topic: Orthopedics
Chris has been board-certified as an adult nurse practitioner since 1999. He has also gone on to earn his Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner Certification (ONP-C). His specialty has been in the adult orthopedic spine for the last 23 years. Chris has spent over 12 years moonlighting in the emergency department near his hometown in the St. Louis area. He is on the executive board of the Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners (AMNP). He has also published in JNP, Orthopedic Nursing, & the International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation. Over the years, Chris has also presented numerous webinars for various organizations in his field of expertise.
Dr. Hemmer started teaching as an adjunct for Saint Louis University in 2007. In 2013, Christopher accepted a full-time position with the nursing school as an assistant professor for graduate students. He has since been promoted to full-tenure Associate Professor at Saint Louis University School of Nursing. Chris frequently presents orthopedic and radiologic talks on the local, state, and national levels.
Certifications/ Organizations: Dr. Hemmer is board-certified by ANCC as an adult nurse practitioner. Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Member of North American Spine Society. Member Saint Louis Spine Society. Valentine Award Recipient for excellence in teaching. Shirley A. Martin Distinguished Nurse Award. The Association of Missouri Nurse Practitioners Excellence in APN leadership award. AANP State Award for Excellence in MO.
Education:
DNP, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO
MSN, Adult Nurse Practitioner, University of Missouri, St. Louis, MO
BSN, Southeast Missouri State, Cape Girardeau, MO
Volunteer:
Missouri Disaster Medical Assistance Team (Mo DMAT)
Oral presentation for Deaconess Faith Community Nurses, St. Louis, MO
Victoria Lazareth, MA, MSN, NP-C, DCNP
Events: Destin • Nashville • Orlando-Oct • Las Vegas
Topic: Dermatology
Victoria Lazareth, MA, MSN, NP-C, DCNP, is a Board-Certified Dermatology Nurse Practitioner who has cared for Dermatology patients for over twenty years. She received her undergraduate BSN from Wagner College, NY, and a postgraduate M.A. degree from Webster University, Switzerland.
Victoria worked for 15 years abroad as an Intensive Care nurse, manager for an international clinical trial, and relief coordinator with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kigali, Rwanda, before returning to the US. She settled in New England and attended Simmons University Boston, where she attained her MSN and national Nurse Practitioner certification.
Victoria has served as a Dermatology instructor and preceptor for graduate nursing students at both the UMass and Simmons GSN for many years and continues to provide dermatology education to NPs and PAs as a speaker with the AANP, DNA, MauiDerm, and NPACE. She has served as a Director for the Dermatology NP Certification Board and has taught Dermatology NPs preparing to sit for certification with the CAPD Review Course. She held leadership positions as co-founder of the Society of Dermatology Nurse Practitioners and Chair of the NP Society of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association.
Additionally, Victoria is a contributing author to the Dermatology for Advanced Practice Clinicians textbook, the published author of multiple dermatology articles, and the content editor for the JCAD NP/PA and JDNA professional journals. She provides general dermatology care in Massachusetts, focusing on psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. She also specializes in dermatology surgery and cutaneous oncology.
Viet Le, PA-C
Events: Pensacola Beach-May • Orlando-July • Pensacola Beach-Sept • Orlando-Oct
Topic: Cardiology & Emergency Medicine
Viet is an Associate Professor of Research and Preventive Cardiology PA with nearly 20 years of practice. He obtained a bachelor’s in exercise science/athletic training, a master’s degree as a Physician Assistant in 2004 from the University of Utah School of Medicine, and his Doctor of Medical Science in Health Professions Education in 2023 from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He co-directs the Preventive Cardiology Clinic at Intermountain Medical Center and serves as Principal and Sub-Investigator on multiple cardiovascular clinical trials. His focus is patient-centered care and the improvement of shared decision-making processes.
He recently served as President of the Academy of PAs in Cardiology, is a past co-chair of the American College of Cardiology PA Work Group and is currently President of the Utah Academy of PAs.
Jameka McElroy, MSPAS, PA-C
Events: Pensacola Beach-May • Hilton Head • Pensacola Beach-Sept
Topic: Dermatology
Jameka McElroy is a passionate Physician Assistant specializing in Dermatology. She is committed to advancing patient care, education, and diversity in healthcare. She earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in 2015, following her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Chicago State University.
As a Physician Assistant in Dermatology, Jameka practices a holistic approach, providing medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology services.
Jameka serves as the Co-Chair of the SDPA CME Committee and organizes conference educational sessions, showcasing her dedication to continuous learning and professional development. She was also the Chief Delegate in the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants (SDPA) House of Delegates, representing SDPA constituents nationally within the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA) HOD committee.
Jameka enjoys sharing her expertise at national and regional presentations. She is also a peer reviewer for prestigious journals like the Journal of Dermatology for Physician Assistants. Her commitment to education extends to her role as an NCCPA PA Ambassador, where she brings awareness, guidance, and new ideas on PA communication, social media, and community outreach.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jameka engages with multi-media platforms, contributing to the VisualDx Partner Campaign and participating in influential campaigns for National PA Week and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.
Jameka is not just a proud DermPA; she is a leader, advocate, and educator committed to making a lasting impact on dermatology and beyond.
Nisha McKenzie, PA-C, CSC, MSCP, IF
Events: Orlando-July • Destin • Myrtle Beach • Nashville • Orlando-Oct
Topic: Women’s Health
Nisha McKenzie, PA-C, has practiced medicine in Grand Rapids since 2002. During her initial nine years of focusing on women’s health and gynecology within Family Medicine, she began to recognize the marginalization of women in medicine and how it poorly influenced their health outcomes. From there, she was driven to study women’s health further and quickly realized women weren’t alone in the marginalization and bias within medicine. She began to feel the weight so many groups carried while trying to advocate for themselves in their healthcare journeys. She began to immerse herself in further studies on sexuality, LGBTQIA+, HAES, diversity, equity, and trauma-affirmative healthcare. These facets of medical care are vastly underrecognized and sadly under-represented in medical/PA/NP schools.
She attended the University of Michigan in 2014 to train as a sex educator and sex counselor and, shortly after that, received her certification as a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner as well as an AASECT Certified Sex Counselor. During Nisha’s postgraduate studies and continued practice, she began to see even more of the disparities in healthcare and the many roadblocks’ patients faced. She realized she could no longer sit back and wait for our current healthcare system to do the right thing for her patients.
In 2019, she stepped away from the system and founded the Women’s+ Health Collective. She aims to help people break down those roadblocks and break the stigma preventing them from achieving optimal health. Nisha also teaches current and upcoming medical professionals across the country with a focus on sexual health and breaking down the bias that is pervasive in medicine. She is committed to changing the systems and beliefs that have stigmatized sexuality, race, gender, mental health, bodies, abilities, and women’s health through non-judgmental, trauma-informed, compassionate care rooted in evidence-based research.
Margaret (Maggie) McKernan, DMSc, PA-C
Events: Orlando-July • Myrtle Beach • Austin
Topic: Dermatology
Maggie McKernan is a highly experienced dermatology PA based in Cleveland, Ohio. With over six years of experience in the field, she has developed a specialized focus on skin cancer, acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other cutaneous conditions. Maggie holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Physician Assistant Science degree, both earned at Gannon University in Pennsylvania.
In addition to her clinical practice, Maggie is actively involved in professional organizations and education within her field. She currently serves as the President of the Ohio Society of Dermatology PAs and Vice-chair of the National Society of Dermatology PAs (SDPA) CME committee. Furthermore, she is a senior delegate for the SDPA at the AAPA House of Delegates.
Maggie is also committed to sharing her expertise through education. She has been a lecturer at several conferences and courses, including the annual PSPA conference, OAPA conference, Diversity in Dermatology Conference, and SDPA courses. She enjoys playing volleyball, spending time with her family, and exploring Cleveland with her husband in her free time.
With her experience, specialized focus, and dedication to professional development and education, Maggie McKernan is committed to making your dermatology education impactful and enjoyable.
Heather (Hez) Naylor, PhD, FNP-BC, AP-PMN, FAIPM
Events: Myrtle Beach • Pensacola Beach-Sept • Orlando-Oct • Las Vegas
Topic: Pain Management & Pharmacology
Hez Naylor, PhD, FNP-BC, AP-PMN, is a Senior Nurse Practitioner of the inpatient pain medicine consultation service at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center and Faculty Chair and Assistant Professor in the Accelerated Nursing Program at Creighton University’s Phoenix Campus. She is also a licensed and board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Advanced Practice Pain Management Nurse.
Hez is a national speaker in her areas of expertise, including multimodal pain management for complex pain patients, acute-on-chronic pain, and perioperative pain management. She teaches Pharmacology, Leadership, and Transition to Practice in the classroom and lectures at the Creighton School of Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Pain Management, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Psychotherapy and Medical Hypnosis Association.
Hez received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton University in Nebraska and then completed her Master of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Grand Canyon University. She received her PhD from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her research focused on therapeutic suggestions, language interventions for pain, and supporting new graduate nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hez lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her five-year-old daughter Charlotte and her dog Blanca. She loves playing music and being active outdoors whenever possible, and she recently hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in a day!
Travis L. Randolph, PA-C, ATC
Events: Orlando-July • Myrtle Beach • Nashville • Pensacola Beach-Sept • Orlando-Oct
Topic: Orthopedics
Travis L. Randolph, PA-C, ATC, works in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and serves as the Clinical Director of Sports Medicine at West Virginia University. He is also a Clinical Adjunct Faculty for the West Virginia University Division of Physician Assistant Studies. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Athletic Training from West Virginia University in 2004 and a Master’s in Exercise Science at the University of Georgia in 2006. Travis completed his Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Florida in 2008. He has over 16 years of experience working in Orthopaedic Surgery and has also worked in the Urgent Care setting.
In 2013, Travis was designated the Lead Physician Assistant for Advanced Practice Providers at WVU Medicine. He works with the Office of Advanced Practice Providers at WVU to improve the overall practice and utilization of APPs in healthcare. His special interest includes sports medicine coverage for WVU Athletics, teaching, and speaking at various Orthopaedic conferences. He is very involved with Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS), the West Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). He is a Past President of WVAPA and continues to serve on the board. Travis is also a peer reviewer for The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants. He has also been the Course Director for the AAPA/ AAOS Musculoskeletal Conference.
Travis lives in “Almost Heaven,” West Virginia, with his wife (Joanna) and two sons (Austin and Grayson). In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and golfing outdoors. He is also active in his local church and enjoys coaching his boys’ basketball and baseball teams.