Patricia Devers, D.O.

The Mastery of the Gut Microbiome: Who’s Really in Charge Here?

Ever wondered what’s really going on in your gut? Spoiler alert: it’s not just your stomach making all the decisions! Your gut is home to trillions of micro-organisms—yes, that’s a trillion—that are running the show when it comes to your health. From influencing your mood and skin to balancing hormones and boosting immunity, these tiny powerhouses have a major impact on your overall well-being.

Join Dr. Patti Devers, Chief Clinical Officer at Genova Diagnostics, as she takes you on an eye-opening journey into the world of the gut microbiome. Discover how this microbial universe affects every aspect of your health and how the medical community recognizes, following in the footsteps of Hippocrates who famously stated that all diseases begin in the gut. You’ll learn practical tips on how to optimize your gut health, from cutting-edge testing to simple lifestyle tweaks.

Dr. Devers will share insights into how your gut microbiome influences your overall health and provide personalized strategies for enhancing your well-being. Prepare to uncover new ways to support your health and take actionable steps toward a more balanced and vibrant life!

Dr. Patti Devers serves as the Chief Clinical Officer at Genova Diagnostics, a pioneering leader in microbiome, nutrition, immune function, and genomics testing. At the forefront of advanced diagnostics, Genova Diagnostics offers comprehensive tools that uncover the root causes of health issues. Their detailed recommendations encompass dietary adjustments, probiotic use, and lifestyle changes to address health concerns and promote overall well-being.

Website: https://www.gdx.net 
Access Lab Testing for Yourself: https://connect.gdx.net 
Instagram @genovadiagnostics and @genovaconnect
LinkedIn @genovadiagnostics

Matt Dawson

Forever Young: How Science and AI Can Keep You Vibrant at 100 and Beyond

Get ready for what promises to be an enlightening—and possibly life-changing—session with Dr. Dawson, the mastermind behind Wild Health. Imagine a future where you’re still rocking out at 100 with the energy of a teenager! Dr. Dawson’s innovative approach combines science and AI to turn back the clock and extend your healthspan, all while making it look effortless.

Dr. Dawson, who seems to have more awards and accolades than we have room to list, has authored two textbooks, contributed to hundreds of book chapters, and published dozens of studies. His app and podcast have been downloaded millions of times—clearly, he’s onto something! Over the past decade, he’s also managed to start six companies or nonprofits.

At Wild Health, Dr. Dawson and his team blend holistic treatment with cutting-edge genomics to create personalized wellness plans. His goal? To help you not just live longer, but live better, with a side of youthful exuberance that lasts for a century.

Our long-standing partnership with Wild Health reflects our shared passion for individualized medicine and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of wellness. Together, we're bringing you the latest in personalized health strategies.

Join us and learn how Dr. Dawson’s science-backed, AI-driven approach might just be the secret to living a vibrant, youthful life well into your golden years.

Website: www.wildhealth.com
Instagram: @wildhealthmd

Dr. Patrick Hwu

Revolutionizing Cancer Care: The Next Frontier in Immunotherapy and its Impact on Health

In this talk, Dr. Patrick Hwu will explore the cutting-edge advancements in immunotherapy and their profound implications for both cancer treatment and overall wellness. As science uncovers the remarkable power of the immune system, we are now able to tap into its healing capabilities not just for fighting disease, but for enhancing long-term health and vitality. Dr. Hwu will share insights from decades of research, shedding light on how innovations in immune-based therapies are transforming cancer care and offering new paradigms for maintaining well-being. Innovative treatments like personalized cell-based therapies and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are breakthroughs that are revolutionizing the way we treat cancer, offering new hope for patients. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the immune system’s potential, and how these discoveries can be applied to optimize health, improve longevity, and prevent illness.

Dr. Patrick Hwu, MD is the President and CEO of Moffitt Cancer Center and a globally recognized leader in cancer immunotherapy. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Hwu has played a pivotal role in developing groundbreaking treatments, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), that harness the immune system to combat cancer. Previously the Division Head of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center, he led one of the nation’s premier cancer immunology programs and has contributed significantly to clinical research, particularly in melanoma and solid tumors. Dr. Hwu is a prolific author, having published extensively in top scientific journals, and is a sought-after speaker in the oncology field. At Moffitt, he is dedicated to advancing precision medicine and immunotherapy, fostering innovation in cancer research, and building strategic partnerships to improve patient outcomes globally.

Website: https://www.moffitt.org/about-moffitt/executive-leadership/patrick-hwu-md/
X: @PatrickHwuMD

Mikel Blair

The Power of Play: Unlocking Connection & Community

In this engaging session, Mikel Blair will dive into the transformative role of play in fostering connection, healing, and personal growth. Through interactive activities and shared experiences, participants will explore how laughter, deep breathing, and play activate the body’s natural healing systems, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships. Drawing on her work with Modern Revival and Badlands, Mikel will share insights into how playful interactions deepen self-awareness and build meaningful community. Attendees will leave inspired and equipped to integrate play into their daily lives.

Mikel Blair brings over a decade of experience to her work in conscious leadership and community building. As the co-founder of Modern Revival, she focuses on creating meaningful connections among women through gatherings that explore body wisdom, emotional intelligence, and personal stories. Mikel is also the founder of Badlands, an interactive children's learning space in Rockville, MD, and actively supports organizations focused on education, at-risk youth, and mental health.

Website: www.modernrevival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modernrevivalcommunity
Instagram: @modernrevivalcommunity
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/modernrevivalcommunity

Jim Dethmer

Embracing Authenticity: A Path to Vibrant Living

When we wear masks and hide behind facades, we drain our vitality. Authenticity, while sometimes intimidating, is also incredibly liberating. Imagine what it would feel like to simply be who you are—free from pretense and fully embracing your true self. Authenticity begins with the courage to be honest with ourselves and grows into the art of sharing our truths in ways that foster connection rather than conflict. This approach is essential for nurturing meaningful relationships, both in our personal lives and professional environments.

Jim Dethmer will join us again this year to explore how embracing authenticity can bring peace and joy into our lives. He will help us consider: What might our lives look and feel like if we fully embraced our authentic selves?

As a coach, speaker, and author, Jim is a founding partner at The Conscious Leadership Group (CLG). With over two decades of experience, he has guided more than 150 CEOs and their teams in adopting conscious leadership practices. His deep expertise helps transform both workplaces and individual lives through insightful and impactful leadership principles.

Website: https://conscious.is
Instagram: @consciousleadershipgroup

David Starbuck Smith

Morning Stretches and Posture Alignment

David is a dedicated student of the body and mind, with expertise spanning anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, psychology, and metaphysics.

Renowned for his exceptional skill in identifying postural and mechanical imbalances, David analyzes posture and gait mechanics alongside other effective functional tests. He then employs a hands-off approach, utilizing tailored stretching and strengthening exercises to realign not only the specific painful joint, muscle, or nerve but the entire body.

David has been a part of our conferences for many years now, and we are excited that he is joining us again this year. We all deeply value his contributions and the unique insights he brings. David will lead our morning stretches and body alignment sessions, offering valuable practices to start each day. His ultimate goal is to empower you to heal yourself through these exercises and equip you with the tools to maintain long-term health, balance, functionality, and freedom from pain.

Website: https://davidstarbucksmith.com
YouTube: @davidstarbucksmith
Instagram: @davidstarbucksmith

Tracy Freeman, MD

Ask the Doctor
BB&R’s Chief Medical Officer peels back the onion on the questions she gets asked most in 2024.

Dr. Freeman Integrates the most effective treatments from holistic and conventional medicine to bring her patients the most innovative approach to true healing. Dr. Freeman’s progressive methodology is grounded in decades of experience searching out the root cause of disease. As a mother of a child with autism she has a personal understanding of the challenges patients face. Doctor Freeman breaks down the most important topics in wellness today bringing the insights of a physician and the compassion of a mother.

Website: www.tracyfreemanmd.com
Instagram: @drtracyfreeman

Doro Bush Koch and Patricia Reilly Koch

Doro Bush Koch and Patricia Reilly Koch are lifelong friends and wellness advocates who have made it their mission to help others live healthier, more fulfilled lives. As co-founders of the annual Achieving Optimal Health Conference (AOHC) at Georgetown University, creators of the Health Gig podcast, and founders of BB&R Wellness Consulting, they’ve touched countless lives through their work. They also designed the Foundations of Wellbeing Experience at the Gasparilla Inn in Boca Grande, Florida—a unique wellness retreat aimed at helping participants reconnect with themselves and discover a deeper sense of balance.

For over two decades, Doro and Tricia have been passionate about sharing innovative approaches to wellbeing. They see themselves as lifelong students on the path to creating healthier, happier lives, always learning and growing alongside the communities they serve. By blending personal stories, cutting-edge research, and practical tips, they help audiences take meaningful steps toward better health—physically, mentally, and emotionally. They know firsthand how transformative it can be to take ownership of one’s wellbeing, and they are committed to helping others find that same empowerment.

Their journey as wellness pioneers has been fueled by a deep desire to help people shift from passive caretakers of their health to active participants. They believe that true wellness isn’t about isolated fixes but about seeing the bigger picture—connecting the mind, body, and spirit in ways that lead to lasting change. Doro and Tricia are dedicated to creating spaces where people feel supported and part of a community, knowing that the journey to health is much richer when shared.

At the heart of their work is a simple belief: when people feel inspired and included in the conversation about their own health, they are empowered to make real change. Doro and Tricia take what can feel like overwhelming health information and break it down into easy, actionable steps. And the impact? It ripples outward—from individuals to their families, to their friends, and into entire communities. They are leading a movement toward wellness that’s personal, connected, and truly transformative.

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