Featured Speakers

DAVID FAJGENBAUM, MD, MBA, MSc, is a groundbreaking physician-scientist at the University of Pennsylvania where he is co-founder & president of the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network, and national bestselling author of Chasing My Cure: A Doctor’s Race to Turn Hope Into Action. He is also a patient battling a deadly disease for which he discovered a treatment. Fajgenbaum has published scientific papers in the New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet, and been profiled in the New York Times, Good Morning America, CNN, Forbes 30 Under 30, and the Today Show. Dr. Fajgenbaum earned a BS from Georgetown University, MSc from the University of Oxford, MD from the University of Pennsylvania, and MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

PHYLLIS S. KOSMINSKY, Ph.D., M.S.W., is a clinical social worker in New York, and at the Center for Hope in Darien, Connecticut. For the past thirty years Dr. Kosminsky has provided grief support to individuals, families and groups, and has conducted hundreds of trainings for mental health professionals nationally and internationally. Her extensive publishing portfolio includes Getting Back to Life When Grief Won’t Heal and Attachment Informed Grief Therapy: The Clinician’s Guide to Foundations and Applications. Dr. Kosminsky is an adjunct Professor of Social Work at Fordham University, and a past president of the Association for Death Education and Counseling. She earned a master’s in social work from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in social welfare from Brandeis University.

ROBERT PAYLOR broke his neck in the 2017 Collegiate Rugby National Championship, changing his life in an instant. Immediately, he was deemed a quadriplegic and was told he would never walk or move his hands again. Through an unbreakable vision and relentless determination, Robert is defying the odds. He has graduated from UC Berkeley, is on the journey to walk again, and is sharing his method of how he overcomes quadriplegia. Every person faces challenges; Robert’s are just visible. The skills Robert uses to overcome paralysis can be used by all to optimally perform and live with positivity. His message is one that inspires others to access their full potential and conquer their challenges no matter how daunting they may seem.

JILL GAFNER LIVINGSTON, B.S.B.M., C.D.P., is a behavior-based trainer and public speaker with over 20 years of experience. While proficient in behavior modification & team development, she is also a certified dementia practitioner offering instruction on working with dementia specific behaviors. Jill coaches over 3,500 people per year on multiple processes and procedures. Jill is the author of “Personal Positioning for the Caregiver”, a motivational guide for caregivers on staying mentally healthy while caring for their patients. Jill has a Bachelor of Science in business management, and completed the CDP and CADDCT programs from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners.

JENNIFER KILENY, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS, is a speech-language pathologist and co-creator of Movement on the Mind. The Movement on the Mind program was designed for the general aging population and can be customized for patients with a variety of neurological conditions. Jennifer is a clinical faculty member at Michigan State University and holds a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology, is SPEAKOUT! and LSVT LOUD certified, and is a certified brain injury specialist and senior fitness specialist. She earned a B.A. degree in communicative sciences and disorders and a M.A. degree in speech-language pathology, both from Michigan State University.

BECCA WALLACE, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS, is a speech-language pathologist, a skilled inpatient care coordinator, and co-creator of Movement on the Mind. The Movement on the Mind program was designed for the general aging population and can be customized for patients with a variety of neurological conditions. Becca holds a certificate of clinical competence in speech-language pathology, is LSVT LOUD certified, and is a certified brain injury specialist and senior fitness specialist. She earned a B.A. degree in communicative sciences and disorders and M.A. degree in speech-language pathology, both from Michigan State University.

JENNIFER SMITH, MM, MT-BC always knew that music would play an important role in her life. Before becoming a board-certified music therapist, Jennifer received her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. She worked as a professional musician in southern California for 10 years. She also worked with non-profit organizations to provide music enrichment and educational outreach to school-aged children. Jennifer continued her studies at Western Michigan University, where she earned a master’s degree in music therapy. She specializes in music therapy for end-of-life care and is currently working as a music therapist with AccentCare Hospice.

CHRISTINA TORRES, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist at AccentCare Hospice & Palliative Care of Michigan. She received her bachelor’s in music from Grand Valley State University in 2017, followed by a bachelor’s equivalency in music therapy from Eastern Michigan University in 2020. Christina completed her internship at AccentCare Hospice, and is a clinical supervisor for music therapy practicum students. In her current position, she promotes non-pharmacological clinical support through music therapy interventions in hospice and health care. Christina has been working with the hospice population since 2019. Through her work, she discovered a profound passion for engaging hospice patients in music and providing support throughout their end-of-life journey.