ASHLEY R. WALKER, PHARMD

SHE/HER/HERS

Dr. Ashley Walker is a pharmacist, entrepreneur, and an advocate. Dr. Walker holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from Rochester Institute of Technology. She has been a pharmacist for 7 years and recently transitioned into full time entrepreneurship. Through her business, Med Max Consulting, LLC., Dr. Walker advocates for members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, as well as offers medication counseling services to help this unique community maximize and optimize their medication therapy.

Bee Gehman, M.Ed., CSE, CDI

They/Them

Bee Gehman (they/them) M.Ed., CSE, CDI, is the founder of jooux, the Deaf Sexual Wellness Center. With a decade of experience, Bee is an AASECT certified sexuality educator, focusing on inclusive sexual health services, professional training, and comprehensive education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities. A passionate advocate, Bee aims to eliminate disparities through genuine connections and systemic change. Their mission: Empower through education, bridge gaps, and dismantle barriers for accessible sexual well-being.

Chelsie Kleeh, PA-C, NYS SAFE Pediatric / Adolescent / Adult

She/her/hers

Chelsie Kleeh is a Physician Assistant at University of Rochester Medical Center Urgent Care and Emergency Observation Unit and is also the Director of the URMC Sexual Assault Forensic Program. She completed my Bachelors Degree in Biology at Syracuse University and received her Masters Degree in Physician Assistant studies from D’Youville College. Chelsie completed her training in both Adult and Pediatric/Adolescent sexual assault forensic evidence collection through the International Association of Forensic Nursing.

Elizabeth Ayers, MS

She/her/hers

A Deaf-born Seattle native, Liz is a sonographer and clinical instructor with more than 25 years of field experience and an advocate of ASL signs that appropriately reflect STEM concepts. Liz’s other hats include university instructor at NTID, Director of Healthcare Mentoring with Deaf Hub, PhD scholar, and more!

Jeremy Quiroga, MFA, CDI

He/him/his

Jeremy Quiroga continues to share his love of life and his language through workshops and performances nationally. He started out as a medical interpreter by becoming the first staff CDI for the University of Rochester Medical Center. From that point forward medical interpreting became his focus. ASL mastery skills & life experience, Jeremy provides interpreter workshops with a phenomenal range of tools for the various settings. Currently, Jeremy works as a VRI interpreter in medical setting. In his free time he enjoys cooking, hiking and gardening.

Jesús Remigio, Psy.D., MBA

él/he/him

Dr. Jesús Remigio has been a Certified Deaf Interpreter for almost 10 years, interpreting primarily in the medical and mental health settings. His current role as Director of the Equal Opportunity Programs at Gallaudet University will afford him the privilege of advocating for all in terms of diversity and equality. Possessing a wealth of professional experience, Jesús is in the appropriate position (given his diverse background) for supporting Gallaudet University towards further success and excellence. Jesús Remigio is also currently Vice President of the Registry Interpreting for the Deaf. He received his Psy. D from William James College, and his MBA from Salem International University.

Karissa Mirus, MSHA

SHE/HER/HERS

Karissa Mirus is a program manager at the University of Utah College of Nursing, overseeing research grant projects focused on improving healthcare for Deaf individuals with diabetes. With a background in deaf health equity research since her college days at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Karissa has a wealth of experience, having worked as a research administrator at Gallaudet University and a research data analyst at Johns Hopkins University. Her dedication to enhancing healthcare access for the Deaf community is evident in her commitment to making a positive impact in their lives. Karissa's passion drives her ongoing efforts to contribute meaningfully to the field of deaf health equity.

Katie Roza, MD

SHE/HER/HERS

Dr. Katie Roza, MD is a geriatrics and palliative medicine house calls physician with Sutter Health in Oakland, California. She majored in English literature at Amherst College in Massachusetts, researched early Deaf education as a Fulbright Scholar in Italy and graduated from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai In New York City. She completed internal medicine residency at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania and a geriatrics and palliative medicine fellowship at Mount Sinai. She has given various presentations on the needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients and healthcare professionals.

Kelly Matamoros, MA, CI/CT

SHE/HER/HERS

Kelly Matamoros learned ASL and engaged in the Deaf community at a young age and since has sought Deaf-centric spaces to learn, live and work. She obtained her Master's Degree from Gallaudet University and has 20+ years of interpreting experience, in predominantly medical and behavioral health settings. She has supported and led interpreters in various roles throughout her career and is passionate about collaboration, challenging herself and others to create and maintain space for co-interpreting, critical especially in healthcare settings.

Michelle Litchman, PhD, FNP-BC

SHE/HER/HERS

Dr. Michelle Litchman is an Associate Professor and Nurse Practitioner at the University of Utah College of Nursing. She serves as the Medical Director of the Intensive Diabetes Education and Support Program at the University of Utah and directs the Deaf Diabetes Can Together diabetes self-management program. Dr. Litchman received her research doctorate and master’s degree from the University of Utah and undergraduate degree from Weber State University. Dr. Litchman is a Jonas Scholar, Betty Irene Moore Nurse Leader and Innovation Fellow, and University of Utah Presidential Societal Impact Scholar. She also has six deaf family members, including her mother.

Kenton Myers, NIC, QMHI, LMT, ABICE, CHI™-SPANISH, CMI-SPANISH, CORECHI-P™, BEI ADVANCED

he/him/él

Kenton Myers is a trilingual (ASL/Spanish/English) interpreter based out of Birmingham, Alabama. He is well known across the South for his leadership in the advancement of the field of interpretation and translation. He currently serves as president of the Interpreters and Translators Association of Alabama (ITAA) and Mano a Mano, Inc., a non-profit organization of trilingual (Spanish, English and ASL) interpreters in the United States who work in communities and settings where Spanish is prevalent. Kenton is also the co-founder of Myers & Lawyer, a Black multilingual researcher/interpreter duo that engages in research, consultation, training, and resource development for BIPOC interpreters. Beyond his linguistic pursuits, Kenton embodies holistic wellness as a Licensed Massage Therapist, Hispanic Outreach Wellness Instructor, and an avid CrossFit enthusiast.

MICHELLE MONTELONGO, RID/NAD IV

SHE/HER/HERS

Michelle Montelongo has interpreted for over 20 years, specializing in mental health, congressional, and post-secondary with an emphasis on STEM. For over a decade she served as Interpreter/Cultural Consultant for the Kern County Mental Health System of Care. Her congressional experience ranges from being a contracted Congressional Interpreter for the U.S. Senate’s Special Services Department in Washington D.C., touring with California’s Governor’s Commission, serving as Lead Interpreter for Deaf-Blind Young Adults in Action where she interpreted on Capitol Hill and the White House, and Helen Keller World Conference in Uganda. She currently works as an Interpreter/Mentor for the state of Nevada.

NICOLE FLEMING, RN, BSN

SHE/HER/HERS

Nicole Fleming is a Deaf nurse based in Rochester, NY. She attended the University of Rochester for degrees in ASL, Biology, and Nursing. She is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Nurse Practitioner program at UR. She has worked in various settings, including prehospital, inpatient, emergency department, and currently specializes in pediatric endocrinology. Outside of work, she is an avid rock climber, baker, and dog mom to her service dog, Freya.

Nigel Howard

He/HIM/HIS

Nigel Howard is an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria. He used to work at Douglas College – the Program of Sign Language Interpretation (INTR), and Child, Family and Community Studies (CFCS) for 25 years. Nigel has interpreted for nearly 30 years in various settings, including medical and mental health settings. He is an Accredited International Sign Interpreter by the World Federation of the Deaf and World Association of Sign Language Interpreters. He is part of the United Nations team of International Sign interpreters and interprets frequently on media.

Rhonda Voight-Campbell

SHE/HER/HERS

Rhonda is an adjunct faculty member at the Rochester Institute of Technology/National Technical Institute for the Deaf in the ASL and Interpreting Education Department. Specifically, she teaches undergraduate students the necessary skills to work effectively with DeafBlind people. Rhonda also has expertise in Protactile communication strategies and collaborates with many DeafBlind folks from all backgrounds and in different environments/platforms, such as retreats, through direct trainings and on listservs. Rhonda believes in the full inclusion of DeafBlind people by fostering fuller access to information through the sense of touch.

Robyn K. Dean, CI/CT, PhD

Dr. Robyn K. Dean has been a nationally certified signed language interpreter for over thirty years with particular service in the field of healthcare. Her scholarship in decision-making and ethics in community interpreting is recognized internationally. Dr. Dean has over twenty publications, all of which focus on the theoretical and pedagogical frameworks used to advance the practice of community interpreters. Dr. Dean is currently an Associate Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, where she is the lead instructor on the institute’s postgraduate degree in healthcare interpretation.

Star G. Grieser, MS, CDI, ICE-CCP

SHE/HER/HERS

Star Grieser graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Professional and Technical Communication, and McDaniel College with a Master’s in Deaf Education. Star has always been active in advocacy and has worked among the Deaf and interpreting communities, be it mental health care, Deaf education, and more recently as Program Chair for the ASL and Interpreter Education Program at Tidewater Community College, Chesapeake, VA, for one and half decades, to becoming the Director of Testing for CASLI in 2017, and now as the CEO of RID since 2021. She currently holds a RID certification as a Certified Deaf Interpreter. Star is also ICE- CCP, a Certified Certification Professional by the Institute of Credentialing Excellence.

Susan Layton, RID CI/CT, NAD IV

SHE/HER/HERS

Susan Layton, alongside her Deaf husband, co-founded Access Simplified, inspired by his personal accessibility challenges to meet the broader needs of the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Introduced to ASL and the Deaf community at the age of 3, Susan brings over 35 years of experience as a certified ASL interpreter, with specializations in the medical and performing arts fields. Leveraging her expertise in ASL interpretation, translation, and video production, she is dedicated to enhancing inclusivity and providing accessible resources. Susan champions the importance of challenging assumptions and prioritizing real-life experiences to deliver truly effective support.

Yashaira “Yash” Romilus

She/her/hers

Yashaira “Yash” Romilus’ ethnicity comes from Puerto Rico. She identifies herself as DeafBlind Queer Latina. She brings to this world a wealth of knowledge and experience from her personal life and her work experiences followed by specialized training and instruction in PT (Protactile) language. She has studied Social Work and Spanish at Gallaudet University. She has worked as a PT instructor on both national and international levels, including as a PT trainer under DBII (DeafBlind Interpreting Institute) located at Western Oregon University. She has experienced mentoring, advocating, educating, consulting and training DeafBlind youth/adults, families and interpreters.