Women in Medical Practice Management Conference 2026

Building Meaningful Connections That Last Beyond the Conference

What if the most valuable thing you take away from this conference isn't something you learn...but someone you meet?

Conference networking often begins with exchanging business cards. This experience invites you to say yes to something more meaningful.

Through a series of engaging, guided conversations, you'll move beyond introductions to build authentic connections rooted in curiosity, trust, and genuine conversation. Together, we'll create space to listen, share, and discover the stories, strengths, and experiences that shape who we are as leaders and as people.

You'll leave this experience with:

• Meaningful connections that extend beyond the conference
• Practical strategies for building trust through intentional conversation
• A renewed appreciation for the power of listening, curiosity, and authentic connection
• A sense of belonging that sets the tone for the remainder of the conference

Because sometimes one conversation is all it takes to change everything.

Dr. Lisa Patierne

Leadership Consultant & Founder, Rising to Greatness 

Dr. Lisa Patierne is an author, speaker, and leadership strategist who helps leaders build resilient teams, strengthen workplace culture, and lead with confidence in today's high pressure environments. With more than 30 years of leadership experience in education, including serving as a high school principal, Lisa earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a dissertation focused on school safety and active shooter preparedness. Through those experiences, she came to understand firsthand what it means to live and lead under pressure, making high stakes decisions while caring for the people who depend on you.

Today, Lisa partners with organizations across healthcare, government, education, and public safety to help leaders navigate change, build trust, and create workplaces where people can thrive. Her leadership development programs have equipped more than 3,500 police officers and thousands of leaders across multiple professions with practical tools to lead with confidence, resilience, and heart. Whether leading an orthopedic practice, a hospital department, a school, or a public agency, Lisa believes the greatest leadership challenges are rarely technical. They are human. Leaders need the confidence, resilience, and connection to bring out the best in themselves and the people they lead.

Known for her engaging and highly interactive style, Lisa believes leadership is not developed by sitting through another presentation. It grows through meaningful experiences, honest reflection, and practical application. Rather than delivering a one size fits all program, she begins by listening. Every leadership experience is designed around the unique needs of the people in the room, creating a shared language and practical tools that leaders can immediately apply with their teams.

Lisa is the author of the forthcoming book, The Meatball Mindset: How to Roll with Life, Lead with Heart, and Thrive Under Pressure, with a foreword by Jack Canfield. Her mission is simple: to protect, serve, and care for those who protect, serve, and care for others by helping them lead with courage, connection, and heart.

Kelly Hamburg, MBA

Director - Multispecialty Musculoskeletal Services,  Sauk Prairie Healthcare 

As a dedicated healthcare leader, Kelly has built a career in ambulatory operations by fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and championing excellence. Her journey hasn’t been conventional—Kelly returned to college as a single mother while working full-time, proving that perseverance and passion can break barriers. Overcoming challenges as a woman in practice management, Kelly learned the power of mentorship, strong leadership, and creating inclusive, high-performing teams. She believes in purpose-driven leadership, where empathy and empowerment drive success. Her mission is to inspire and elevate others, ensuring we continue to shape a more equitable and impactful healthcare industry.

Rebecca Hunt

Office Manager, Orthopaedic Associates of Marlborough

Rebecca has been with Orthopaedic Associates of Marlborough for 20+ years. She started as a Medical Assistant, eventually transitioning to the business office, where she was the Lead and oversaw billing, coding, and A/R. She has filled in for HR and AP as needed when the office was in transition with managers. She accepted the position of Office Manager in 2024. She works under and covers, as needed, for the Practice Administrator, and she is the first contact for billing issues and clinical concerns, RCM, provider credentialing, and onboarding new staff. 

Molly Van Oordt

Director, Specialty Account Management, NextGen Healthcare

Great communication is not about having all the answers - it is about trusting yourself to respond. In this interactive workshop from The Annoyance Theatre, you will step into a series of paired, game-based exercises that make communication skills feel less like training and more like play. Don’t worry, you don’t have to perform improv! We’re just going to help you get thinking on your feet. All exercises are built around paired interactions and game-based learning.

Through short, surprisingly revealing games, you will explore what makes a message land or fall flat, practice the art of acknowledgment, listening, being heard, and learn to stay present in real conversations. You will also tackle the moment that trips up so many of us: being put on the spot. Rather than freezing, you will discover that you always have something to say, and that confidence comes from composure, not certainty. Expect to laugh, reflect with the group after each round, and walk away with practical habits plus insights you uncovered yourself, which is exactly why they tend to stick.

What Participants Leave With

• A clearer understanding of what makes communication land - or fall flat
• Practical habits for listening and being heard
• Confidence responding in the moment, even when they don't have all the answers
• Insights they uncovered themselves - making the learning genuinely theirs

Speakers:

• Casey Alltop
• Christy Bonstell
• Lauren Rivas

Jana M Foor, MA, FACMPE

Practice Administrator, Bellingham Anesthesia Associates, P.S.

Jana has worked in healthcare for over 30 years, first as a clinician, then as a healthcare executive, describing her career path as "the road less traveled." She has lived and worked in 10 states, bringing a zeal for leadership, volunteering, and professional development. A self-described "corporate fireman," she excels at spotting operational roadblocks, then implementing strategies that increase profits across revenue cycle management, human resources, and organizational development. Currently President of the Washington State Healthcare Leaders Association, Jana champions mentorship, writes and presents at industry conferences, and is writing a book about the cost of raising kids without grit.

Leanne Galligan, LSSC

Director of Patient Services, Peachtree Orthopaedic Clinic

Leanne is the Director of Patient Services for Peachtree Orthopedics. Leanne first joined Peachtree Orthopedics in 1998 and has held various roles within the organization on both the administrative and clinical sides to include the Clinical Supervisor focused on navigating the challenges presented to the practice during the pandemic.

Amber Harris

Human Resources Director, Suncoast Orthopaedic Institute

I am a mom and Gigi first, and a Human Resources Director second. My career has spanned healthcare, finance, construction, public utilities, and business operations, giving me a unique perspective on leadership, workplace culture, and employee engagement. Today, I lead HR strategy and organizational development for a multi-site orthopedic practice, partnering with leadership to build strong teams and sustainable workplace practices. After experiencing severe burnout and its impact on my health, I became passionate about helping leaders recognize the cost of overwork and the importance of intentional boundaries. I believe success should be measured not only by performance, but by well-being, too.
 

Shannon Young, CPC, CPPM

Sr. Director Reimbursement, Bluegrass Orthopaedics

Shannon Young specializes in building and optimizing end-to-end RCM operations across multi-site organizations. Currently serving as Senior Director of Reimbursement at Growth Orthopedics, she leads enterprise initiatives spanning prior authorization, AR management, and revenue optimization. Known for driving measurable outcomes, operational efficiency, and high-performing teams, Shannon brings deep expertise in coding, compliance, and payer strategy. She is an active industry contributor, having served in leadership roles with KMGMA and AAOE.

Rear Admiral June Ryan

Learn more:  Motivational Speaking - June Ryan Global Solutions 

Rear Admiral June Ryan is a success trainer, speaker, and coach drawing upon her 35 years of military service. She holds four formal certifications in the Success Principles - Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want To Be®, by Jack Canfield and co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul®. She leads the Canfield Assisting Teams during the live Train the Trainer programs and holds the highest-level certification, Senior Trainer. Admiral Ryan is also a certified Barrett Values Centre Consultant®, transforming organizations’ workplace cultures to achieve purpose, performance, and profit. Along with other thought-leaders from around the world, she is a contributing author to the Jack Canfield book “Breakthrough Success” which reached Best Seller status on Amazon.

During her military career, Admiral Ryan was a trailblazer, achieving many historical firsts for women – including the first enlisted woman in the Coast Guard to rise to the rank of Rear Admiral, the first woman to serve as the Military Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the third woman in our nation’s history to serve as the Military Aide to the President of the United States.

She served in a wide variety of leadership roles, including five command positions: two aboard Coast Guard cutters and three regional units ashore. She also served as the Chief of Staff of the Coast Guard Pacific Area, an area that encompasses 6 of the 7 continents, 71 countries, and more than 74 million miles of ocean from the U.S. Western States to Asia and from the Arctic to Antarctica. Prior to her retirement in October 2017, June served as the Commander, the Ninth Coast Guard District (Great Lakes Region), leading the 6,000 men and women of the Coast Guard across an area of responsibility that spanned 8 states and a 1,500-mile international maritime border. She again made history as the first woman to hold that assignment. Even her final Change of Command was historic. It marked the first time in U.S. history that a female Coast Guard Admiral was relieved as District Commander by another female Coast Guard Admiral. She continues to serve in uniform frequently volunteering with the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Rear Admiral Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Bowling Green State University and a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from the University of South Florida. She is a graduate of the National Preparedness Initiative (NPLI) from the Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard Kennedy School of Government. In addition to her four certifications in Success Principles, she holds the highest-level certification from the Barrett Values Center Institute, using powerful metrics to assist leaders in building values-driven cultures in their organizations. In addition to her corporate work, Admiral Ryan takes her work to schools and universities around the country. She has been a guest speaker at several colleges and universities. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Boler College of Business, John Carroll University, Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program, assisting in their executive leadership and communications program.

Her personal military awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Award, two Defense Superior Service Medals, three Legion of Merits, and six Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, among many others. She wears the Presidential Service Badge, the Secretary of Homeland Security Service Badge, the Advanced Boat Force Operations pin, and the Coast Guard Cutterman pin.

In recognition of her distinguished military service and leadership, Rear Admiral Ryan was inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Alumni at Bowling Green State University in September 2023. When not speaking or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 35+ years, their adult daughter, Aisling, and their dog Lucy.

Andrea Nelson, MBA, LAT

Director Orthopedic Care Services, Heartland Orthopedic Specialists - A Service of Alomere Health

Andrea Nelson is the Director Orthopedic Care Services for Heartland Orthopedic Specialists – A Service of Alomere Health, located in west-central Minnesota. She has been with the group for 20years. She oversees the operations of all clinic sites, orthopedic physical therapy, and sports medicine program that provides care to over 12 area high schools, 2 area colleges, and area youth sports associations.

Andrea started her career with the group as an Athletic Trainer working with area high schools in addition to clinical roles of casting/brace fittings, post-op visits, DME management, and physician extender before transitioning into her current leadership role. Andrea is an avid golfer and enjoys outdoor activities, lake time, sports, and time with family and friends.

Brittany Powers

Practice Manager, Orthopaedic Center of the Virginias 

Brittany is the Practice Manager for the Orthopaedic Center of the Virginias. She has been with the practice for over 25 years and has been managing for the past 10 years. She manages day-to-day operations, the physicians’ personal and professional lives, and all other aspects of the practice.

Brittany has lived the ‘American Dream’ at her practice. She started her career with the Orthopaedic Center at 17 years of age in an entry-level position. From there, she started to move upward, attending college and obtaining her degree. As Brittany’s career path emerged, she has taken every opportunity to grow in her professional development, leading the way to her becoming the practice manager.  

She joined AAOE in 2016 and immediately sought out volunteer opportunities, becoming a member of the Membership Council in 2017. Her passion to enhance the member experience led her to chair this Council for the past 2 years and then seek a seat on the AAOE Board of Directors. Brittany is a strong advocate for AAOE, having traveled to Washington, DC twice to lobby on Capitol Hill with her fellow members.

Lisa Warren, CPAR, CPC

Chief Executive Officer, Andrews Sports Medicine 

Lisa Warren has been the Chief Executive Officer of Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, AL and AAOE since 2011. She is the president of the Alabama Chapter of Orthopedic Excecutives. Lisa served as a physician practice management consultant with Warren, Averett for 10 years. Other work experiences include management of Brookwood Hospital’s primary care physician network and MedPartners, a physician practice management company. She has been a Member of the Board of Trustees for the Healthcare Worker’s Compensation Fund since 2014.