2020 Speakers
Dr. Jasmine Marcelin
Infectious Diseases physician
Dr. Jasmine Marcelin is among the many healthcare “superheroes” working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. A native of the island of Dominica in the Caribbean, Dr. Marcelin is an Infectious Diseases physician and Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center – UNMC. Her work focuses on antimicrobial stewardship, reducing healthcare disparities, and advocating for diversity, inclusion and equity in medicine. Dr. Marcelin will burn the myth of the healthcare hero when she takes our stage virtually to #ignite a conversation around our own responsibilities to public health.
Dr. Roger Firestien
Senior Faculty member at the Center for Applied Imagination at SUNY Buffalo State
Called “The Gold Standard” of creativity training by his clients, Dr. Roger Firestien has presented programs in creativity to over 600 organizations nationally and internationally ranging from major fortune 500 corporations and government agencies to universities, associations and churches. Dr. Firestien will spark your creative problem-solving abilities when he takes the stage virtually this year to #ignite a conversation around solving the right problem.
Dr. Pat Friman
Clinical Professor & VP of Behavioral Health at Boys Town
Now more than ever is the time for all of us to rekindle the flame of compassion towards others and ourselves. We look to leaders in our community like Dr. Pat Friman to help guide us on that journey. Dr. Friman is the current Vice President of Behavioral Health at Boys Town and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the UNMC College of Medicine. His work focuses on the gap between primary medical care for children and referral-based clinical child psychological and psychiatric care. He also specializes in consultation regarding workplace issues such as motivation, dealing with difficult people, change, happiness and pathways to success. Dr. Friman takes our stage virtually to ignite a conversation around compassion.
Brenda Hopkins
Eclectic music artist & producer, groove inventor and fearless musical improviser
The late Michael Jackson once said: “Music is the soundtrack to life. It plays the melody of our being.” And that couldn’t be more true for Brenda Hopkins Miranda who takes our stage virtually to #ignite a conversation around the magic of music and how she uses it to process grief, love and life. Hopkins Miranda is a Puerto Rican eclectic jazz pianist, creative composer, fearless improviser and educator. She has performed all over world, has recorded seven critically acclaimed albums and has also created music for several award-winning movies, short-films and documentaries. As an educator, Brenda is passionate about developing creativity, originality and innovation in her students.
