2026 OAHC Conference

Speakers

Keynote
Jennifer Sheets, CEO
The National Alliance for Care at Home

Jennifer Sheets is Chief Executive Officer with nearly 25 years of experience spanning roles from ICU nurse to hospital President and CEO, as well as senior leadership positions across home healthcare, hospice, and healthcare technology. Known for driving growth and operational performance through innovation, acquisitions, and quality improvement, she brings deep expertise in home health, outpatient services, hospital operations, and mergers and acquisitions. Jennifer is also the Founder and CEO of Carezzi, a technology platform delivering flexible, on-demand in-home care, and previously served as President and CEO of Caring Brands International and Interim HealthCare Inc., where she led a successful turnaround, global expansion, and company sale. A recognized industry leader, she serves on national boards, including the National Association of Home Care and Hospice Executive Board, and is president of the Research Institute for Home Care. Jennifer is a frequent conference speaker, policy collaborator, and recipient of multiple honors, including the 2023 American Business Awards® Woman of the Year in Consumer Services. She holds degrees in Nursing/Math, a Master of Science in Nursing, and an MBA, and brings a strong commitment to advancing care in the home through her leadership at the National Alliance for Care at Home.  

Robert Markette, Jr.
Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, P.C.

Robert W. Markette, Jr., CHC, represents home health, hospice, and private duty providers nationwide in all aspects of their operations. With more than a decade of experience, he advises clients on Medicare and Medicaid compliance, surveys and appeals, payer audits, HIPAA, fraud and abuse matters, and the development and implementation of effective compliance programs. He also supports providers with transactions, internal and external investigations, and complex employment issues, including wage and hour compliance, HR guidance, and discrimination matters. Certified in health care compliance by the Health Care Compliance Board, Robert is a nationally recognized speaker who regularly presents for leading industry organizations and state trade associations across the country.

Shoshawna Rainwater
Rainwater Consulting

Mary Mihalyo, PharmD, BCPS
Dragonfly Health

Dr. Mary Mihalyo is CEO of Delta Care Rx and a nationally recognized leader in hospice and palliative care pharmacy. With more than 20 years of experience, she has advanced innovative, patient-centered pharmacotherapy solutions and helped pioneer medication therapy management services for hospice providers.

She has served as an Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice at Duquesne University since 1998, teaching with a focus on pain management and end-of-life care. A frequent national speaker and published author, Dr. Mihalyo is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist committed to supporting clinicians and improving quality care for patients and families.

Jeff Mitchell, CEO/Founder
Fueled Growth Partners

Jeff Mitchell is a seasoned business executive with over 30 years of leadership across diverse industries. A proud alumnus of the University of Utah. Jeff has served as CFO for several companies, including four public corporations, where he honed his ability to distill complex challenges into straightforward, profitable solutions. His recent focus has been on the intricate health insurance sector, where he leverages his deep understanding and partnerships with world-class carriers to deliver innovative programs. These solutions generate CASH SAVINGS to employers, INCREASE net pay to Employees, and provide valuable employee benefits.  Jeff is dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of insurance industry with clarity and efficiency.

Joanne Chitwood, RN

JoAnne Chitwood is a registered nurse, author, speaker, retreat leader, and trauma counselor. Her special skill is in inspiring those facing the most difficult circumstances in life to find courage and meaning in what they are experiencing. In fact, in her nearly forty years as a hospice nurse, JoAnne has helped thousands of health-care workers, patients, and families navigate end-of-life challenges with strength, grace, and confidence.

Beau Sorensen
First Choice Home Health & Hospice

Beau brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience with deep expertise in hospice and home care. A former Administrator of Advantage In-Home Care and longtime executive at First Choice—serving as Director of Operations, Administrator, CFO, and COO—he led dramatic improvements in clinical outcomes, elevating performance from the 33rd to the 99th percentile while generating over $1 million in annual savings through operational efficiencies. Beau has been a national leader in healthcare technology innovation, collaborating on major EMR advancements and helping agencies transition to fully electronic records. He currently serves as COO of Visionbound International and is an active leader and advocate in the home health and hospice community, frequently speaking nationwide on AI in healthcare, organizational transformation, leadership, and performance improvement.

Josi Wergin, JD, FASHRM
Husch Blackwell LLP

Josi Wergin is a healthcare regulatory attorney based in Madison, Wisconsin, with extensive experience helping healthcare organizations and providers navigate complex compliance and regulatory challenges. She counsels clients on government audits, appeals, Medicare and Medicaid enrollment and reimbursement, licensing and certification, compliance programs, and healthcare operations, and represents them in regulatory appeals before government agencies. Before becoming an attorney, Josi spent 17 years in healthcare risk management, giving her deep insight into clinical and operational issues. She is a Fellow of the American Society for Health Care Risk Management and is known for her strategic, holistic approach to solving legal and regulatory problems so clients can remain focused on delivering quality care. 

Alise Liepnieks, MPH
Alzheimer's Association

Alise Liepnieks is a dedicated Program Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, Oregon and Southwest Washington Chapter. In this role, she works to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. She collaborates with state and public agencies, healthcare providers, caregivers, and local organizations to promote the Association’s free programs, services, and resources. Her work is driven by a strong commitment to improving care and support for those affected by dementia, and she actively engages with community partners to ensure their needs are understood and addressed.

Sally holds a bachelor's degree in health education from the University of Utah and a master's degree in public health from Purdue University. Before entering the field of public health, she was a professional snowboarder based in Park City, Utah—a unique background that brings energy, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose to her current role.

Edward Colson
Ready Northwest

Edward Colson, President of Ready Northwest, specializes in helping organizations build effective emergency management and business continuity programs. He brings over 10 years of experience in healthcare and business preparedness, along with a background as a commercial helicopter pilot and training in emergency management.

Damon Tarzaghi
The Alliance

Damon Terzaghi is Vice President of Medicaid Advocacy and Programs at the Alliance, where he leads regulatory, legislative, and technical assistance initiatives related to Medicaid and long-term services and supports. He brings extensive experience in federal and state policy, including roles with ADvancing States, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Christina Cowgill
Enter Into Calm, LLC

Christy Cowgill is a nurse anesthetist, board-certified nurse coach, and founder of Enter Into Calm, where she helps individuals and healthcare professionals build resilience using trauma-responsive, mind-body approaches. With a clinical background in oncology, pain management, and anesthesiology, she integrates hypnosis, coaching, and neuroscience-informed tools to support healing, personal growth, and professional well-being.

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