Schedule & Speakers

 We’ve put together an exciting lineup of keynote sessions, breakout sessions and special events for Health on the Horizon 2026 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, NY 
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Inspiring Keynote Speakers

who will share fresh perspectives on wellness, community and health.
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Interactive Breakout Sessions

where you can dive deeper into topics that matter most to you.
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Networking Opportunities

where you can connect, share ideas and build lasting relationships with fellow attendees.
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Special Events

more to come!

Speaker Preview
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 Dr. Vidya Kidambi 

Dr. Srividya (Vidya) Kidambi is Professor of Medicine with tenure and Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee, where she also directs the Medical Weight Loss Program at Froedtert & MCW and serves as Medical Director of the TOPS Center for Metabolic Research. Her research interests include obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. She is a leader in the field, having served as Chair of the Clinical Committee of The Obesity Society and currently serving as Clinical Practice Chair of the Annual Meeting Steering Committee for The Endocrine Society. Dr. Kidambi is also the host of the podcast Endo Bites. 

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 Samantha Herendeen  

Samantha Herendeen, PT, DPT, CLT-LANA, has been a physical therapist for nearly 10 years after earning her doctorate from D’Youville College in 2017. During a clinical rotation, she was introduced to lymphedema care, which sparked her interest in the specialty. She began her career in skilled nursing and later transitioned to home care, where she completed her lymphedema certification through Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and earned LANA accreditation. After time away to be with her children, she joined Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she now works as a Lymphedema Therapist at a satellite clinic, focusing on patient care and education.  

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 Karli Maciejewski 

Karli Maciejewski, MS, OTR/L, CLT, is an occupational therapist with 16 years of experience. She earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from the University at Buffalo in 2010 and began her career in a skilled nursing facility before moving into travel therapy, working across four states. After meeting her husband in California, she later returned to Buffalo in 2018. At that time, she joined Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center as a Lymphedema Therapist, a new area of practice for her. She completed her certification through the Norton School of Lymphatic Therapy and has since helped grow Roswell’s lymphedema program.

 

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Meredith Graham

 Meredith Graham is a Research and Evaluation Specialist with the Texas A&M AgriLife Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, where she leads research studies and program evaluations with community-based organizations, including Extension. She joined Texas A&M AgriLife in 2020 after more than 15 years as a Research Specialist at Cornell University, where she also earned her BS in Human Biology, Health and Society and her MS in Community Nutrition. Her work focuses on public health research, including clinical trials on gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. She also studies food systems and community health. Meredith has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles and presents at conferences. 

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 Joseph Nadglowski 

 Joseph Nadglowski is President and CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition. With more than 25 years of experience in patient advocacy, public policy and education, he is a frequent speaker and author on obesity awareness. A graduate of the University of Florida, Nadglowski has shared his personal experience with obesity to advance understanding and reduce weight bias. He has served on numerous boards, task forces and workgroups, received the 2012 Society for the Study of the Alimentary Tract Public Service Award, met with First Lady Michelle Obama to discuss childhood obesity and testified before the FDA on obesity treatment options.  

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Jaime Hope

 Dr. Jaime Hope is a dual board-certified emergency physician, bestselling author, and nationally recognized speaker who has spent nearly two decades on the front lines of healthcare. As an ER doctor and medical director, she sees the real-life consequences of unmanaged weight, stress, and chronic disease—and is passionate about helping people make simple, sustainable changes before they reach that point. She is the author of Habit That!, a multi-category #1 Amazon bestseller, and specializes in helping people build healthy habits that actually stick—especially around weight loss, consistency, and long-term success. Dr. Hope translates complex medical science into practical, doable steps that fit into everyday life, making healthy living feel achievable, not overwhelming. 

 

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Alisha Lall

Dr. Alisha Lall is a board-certified Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician and founder of Fare Well Medical Practice in Western New York. Her approach integrates lifestyle medicine within primary care through a prevention-focused model centered on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, social connection and thoughtful use of medication. Dr. Lall developed a membership-based practice designed to create space for deeper patient relationships, behavior change and community-centered care through culinary medicine, yoga, wellness education and group programming. She is passionate about building sustainable healthcare models that improve outcomes, reduce burnout and advance whole-person care.

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Vaidehi Patel

Dr. Vaidehi Patel is a Naturopathic Doctor based in Ontario, Canada, with a clinical focus on hormonal health and women's wellness. With over five years in practice and 500+ patients treated, she has helped women navigate everything from painful periods and PCOS to perimenopause, thyroid conditions and weight management — using root-cause, individualized approaches rather than symptom suppression. She is the creator of The Master Your Cycle Method™ which helps women achieve predictable, light, pain-free cycles and steady energy. Beyond hormonal health, Dr. Patel supports patients with digestive concerns, anxiety, insomnia, metabolic syndrome and adrenal fatigue — guiding them toward physical, emotional and lasting well-being.

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Jennifer May

Jennifer May is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. She conducts weekly Zoom and in-person Laughter Yoga sessions, as well as workshops and presentations. Jennifer is delighted to share Laughter Yoga and its benefits to all types of people. Jennifer comes from a musical background—for over 40 years she has performed as a professional bassist and band leader, leading her own Jazz Big Band for 23 years and performing in various groups locally and globally. Jennifer also teaches private piano lessons and runs ukulele sing-a-longs. Music and Laughter — both universal languages of joy!

 

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 Selina Uglow 

Selina Uglow is the founder of The WAY to Healthy Living, a company focused on habit coaching and sustainable wellness. A cancer survivor, mother of three and grandmother of 10, her work is shaped by personal experience and resilience. Having achieved her own weight-loss success, she brings empathy and real-world insight to those she serves. Selina holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management & Wellness, is a certified personal trainer and a licensed practical nurse. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: meet people where they are so they can discover their own strength and courage to get where they want to be.

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Sue Wedsworth

Sue Wedsworth is an award-winning keynote speaker, success coach and stress-defense expert who helps professionals rethink how belief, energy, focus and capacity impact performance. With more than 35 years of experience in business, banking and organizational development, she understands the pressures of high-responsibility roles. After experiencing burnout in her own career, Sue became passionate about helping high performers avoid overextension while still achieving meaningful success. Known for her engaging style and humor, Sue hosts the Potential Awaits Podcast, where she explores mindset and performance strategies.

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 Karen McCue 

Karen McCue is a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Rooted in Wellness.

With more than 34 years of experience in the health and wellness field, she has assisted people in their ability to function successfully in daily life. Her passion centers around education and empowerment. Having fun in the process of becoming rooted in one’s health—physical, mental and social—is a key component in the movement sessions. When not leading fitness classes, Karen enjoys cheering on her hometown sports teams.

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 Jillian Lama 

As a former binge eater turned trauma-certified life coach, Jillian Lama bridges the gap between metabolic health and psychological healing. She’s the host of the Hungry for Love podcast, which addresses the missing piece of weight loss – nervous system regulation. Jillian specializes in helping clients move from a state of survival to a life of true self-belief, food freedom and lasting peace with their bodies.  

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 Holly Hoffman 

 Holly Hoffman was the last remaining member of the Espada Tribe and the last woman standing on Season 21 of the reality show “Survivor Nicaragua.” Through this and other life experiences, Holly was inspired to share her message of survival. A professional motivational speaker and author, Holly shares that while situations may seem insurmountable, within each of us is an ability to focus our thoughts, emotions and energy to succeed—if only we have the knowledge, tools and discipline to do so. 

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Ian Patton

Ian Patton is the Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement at Obesity Canada, combining his academic expertise and lived experience to drive change in obesity care. He holds a PhD in Kinesiology and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship, with research focused on BMI, obesity and childhood physical activity. As a bariatric surgery patient and national advocate, Ian works to eliminate weight bias and improve access to care for individuals living with obesity. 

Wednesday, August 12th

 

Thursday, August 13th

 

Friday, August 14th

Saturday, August 15th

Jillian Lama 

As a former binge eater turned trauma-certified life coach, Jillian Lama bridges the gap between metabolic health and psychological healing. She’s the host of the Hungry for Love podcast, which addresses the missing piece of weight loss – nervous system regulation. Jillian specializes in helping clients move from a state of survival to a life of true self-belief, food freedom and lasting peace with their bodies.  

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Holly Hoffman 

Holly Hoffman was the last remaining member of the Espada Tribe and the last woman standing on Season 21 of CBS’ hit reality show “Survivor Nicaragua”. Through that experience, and others throughout her life, Holly was inspired to share her message of survival.

A professional motivational speaker and the author of three different books, Holly acknowledges that life is made up of challenges, and we are oftentimes faced with situations that seem insurmountable. But within each of us is an ability to focus our thoughts, emotions and energy to succeed—if only we have the knowledge, tools and discipline to do so.



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Ian Patton 

 Ian Patton is the Director of Advocacy and Public Engagement at Obesity Canada, combining his academic expertise and lived experience to drive change in obesity care. He holds a PhD in Kinesiology from Western University and completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Toronto, with research focused on BMI, obesity and childhood physical activity. As a bariatric surgery patient and national advocate, Ian works to eliminate weight bias and improve access to care for individuals living with obesity. 

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