The following medical professionals have agreed to becoming guest speakers at our 20th Annual AMCSI Conference in Norfolk, VA, July 9-12, 2025. Appearances are subject to change.
The 20th Annual AMCSI Conference in Norfolk, VA is turning up the energy — & we’re beyond excited to welcome Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli as our special guest!
Luca is a world-renowned breakdancer, motivational speaker & founder of the ILL-Abilities™ International Dance Crew — a powerhouse group of dancers who prove that “No Excuses, No Limits” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a way of life.
You might recognize him from the Special Olympics in France, America’s Got Talent, or The Ellen Show — or maybe from his jaw-dropping performances in over 22 countries! Born with arthrogryposis, Luca transformed physical challenges into unstoppable creativity, developing a unique dance style that turns crutches into extensions of his art.
• Performed on global stages
• Choreographed award-nominated productions
• Now appearing LIVE at AMCSI 2025!
This is a performance you do not want to miss!
🔗 Learn more about Luca & his mission:
🌐 lucapatuelli.com
🌐 illabilities.com
Jennifer was born with Arthrogryposis and uses a wheelchair daily. She identifies as an Asian, Pacific Islander & Black woman with a disability. She serves as Citywide Accessibility Coordinator at the City of Long Beach – where she is tasked with making sure the City is in compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
A disability activist for over two decades, her work began in 2002 when Jennifer was cast in Disney’s “Aladdin; a Musical Spectacular” at Disney California Adventure Theme Park, where she was the first performer in a wheelchair to ever be on any Disney stage in the world. Jennifer used her performing platform at Disney to compete & win the title of Ms. Wheelchair California 2010 where she promoted empowerment for youth with disabilities, speaking throughout the state of California & the nation during her reign. Other credits include Carmen in ‘The Sessions’, MTV’s ‘awkward.’, & ‘Celebrity Undercover Boss’.
Recently, Jennifer can be heard as the voice of ‘Dahlia’ in Disney’s animated feature film, ‘WISH’.
She is currently a Communication Studies major at California State University Long Beach.
Dr. Harold van Bosse has been practicing pediatric surgery exclusively since completing his orthopedic residency at the University of Illinois in Chicago in 1994, and his fellowship at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children in 1995. His specialty interests within pediatric orthopedics are arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), idiopathic clubfoot deformity, limb malalignment conditions, and pediatric spine deformities, especially of the growing spine. AMC and PWS alone make up more than 90% of his practice, allowing him to delve deeply into his special interest. He has published widely on topics related to arthrogryposis, clubfeet, and Prader-Willi syndrome. When developing an arthrogryposis center, the goals are to allow children with arthrogryposis to reach their fullest potential by addressing their limb deformities and helping them function/adapt to their limitations. Dr. Van Bosse considers himself privileged to follow patients from North and South America, Europe and Asia. He could not have gotten this far without the support of his wife, Ana.
Session Topic: AMC 101
Kimberly Kolstad is a full-time medical social worker at Craig H Neilsen Rehab Hospital at the University of Utah. For over 18 years she has been advocating for underprivileged individuals and most recently has had the opportunity to work with individuals with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and transplants. Kim has successfully created and runs a peer coaching program for patients with new spinal cord injuries. She works closely with TRAILS Adaptive Sports and has organized an event for Veterans with complex disabilities to experience the Tetra Watercraft. Kim has a love of adventure, and over the last two and a half years, her life has been changed for the better by participating in over 15 different adaptive sports, her favorites being snow skiing with the TetraSki, wake-surfing, and adaptive mountain biking. As a social worker and a person with AMC, Kim knows the importance of accessibility and inclusion for all. She is now advocating for adaptive sports to be known and accessible to all people with disabilities, especially those with AMC.
Session topic: Adaptive Sports
Jan Shea, MSW, joined Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center on Transition Innovations (CTI) in 2014, bringing a rich background in juvenile justice and mental health. As the program coordinator for the recently accredited ACE-IT in College program, Jan fosters a sense of belonging and community for young adults with intellectual disability pursuing inclusive higher education at Virginia Commonwealth University. Over the past decade, she has contributed to various CTI projects, including providing mental health support to transfer students and coordinating employment for women with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord injuries (SCI). Outside of work, Jan enjoys paddleboarding around Greater Richmond, spending time with her family, and pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership.
Session topic: College Transistions
My name is Chloe Sutterfield. I’m from Aylett, Virginia. I am attending James Madison University for grad school and will be studying communications and advocacy. I am also a musician, public speaker/advocate, actress, writer/published author, and I play lots of adaptive sports.
Session topic: College Transistions
Dr. Therese Willkomm, PhD, is an Associate Clinical Professor Emeritus in the Department of Occupational Therapy, at the University of New Hampshire. She is known nationally and internationally as the McGyva of Assistive Technology for her rapid and innovative approach in making assistive technology solutions in minutes for living, learning and working. Over the past 40 years, she has created over 2000 different assistive technology solutions; presented over 600 workshops in 42 states and 14 different countries; received many awards including the 2019 RESNA Fellow Award; and authored three books on creating assistive technology solutions in minutes.
Session topic: DIY
Philip F. Giampietro, MD, PhD, is currently the Asok K. Ray, M.D. FRCS (EDIN) and Purnima Ray Endowed Professor of Pediatrics and Section Chief of Medical Genetics in the Department of Pediatrics at University of Illinois-Chicago School of Medicine. He received his B.S. in Biological Sciences at State University of New York at Stony Brook, Doctorate in Biomedical Sciences at the City University of New York and M.D. at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Giampietro completed his internship in Pediatrics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a residency in Pediatrics at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, and a Fellowship in Medical Genetics at Weil Medical College of Cornell University. Throughout his career, he has been active in the education of medical students, genetic counseling students, physician assistants, and pediatric residents and fellows. Prior to his current position, Dr. Giampietro held positions at Rutgers -Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Drexel University College of Medicine, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield Clinic and Weil Medical College of Cornell University. Dr. Giampietro’s research interests include dysmorphology and birth defects, in particular the genetics of congenital and idiopathic scoliosis. He has worked closely with orthopedic surgical colleagues, clinical and molecular geneticists, and epidemiologists to better understand genetic and environmental contributions to these conditions.
Session Topic: Genetics
In 2015, Dr. David Feldman joined the Paley Institute to lead our new Spine Deformity Center and Hip Pain Center. Dr. Feldman was previously Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics as well as Chief of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery NYU Langone Medical Center/ NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases. Dr. Feldman specializes in pediatric orthopedic surgery and subspecializes in children with scoliosis and severe limb and hip deformities. As well, he focuses his practice on conditions such as arthrogryposis, Multiple Hereditary Exostosis and Skeletal Dysplasias. After graduating from the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in 1988, Dr. Feldman interned in general surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery in June 1993 and spent the next year in fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto with a special interest in pediatric orthopedic surgery and pediatric spine surgery. Dr. Feldman brings over 25 years of experience in pediatric orthopedics, spinal deformity and joint preservation to the practice. Since completing his studies, Dr. Feldman has been at the forefront of both simple and complex pediatric orthopedic treatments. He has helped many children with orthopedic deformities and conditions avoid surgery through early detection. His expertise with advanced non-surgical and surgical techniques has allowed hundreds of children to resume their normal activities after recovery times that are shorter than those of other methods.
Session topic: Lowers
Reid Nichols, M.D., FAOA, FAAOS, is a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon at Nemours Children’s Health, Delaware Valley, and Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, at Thomas Jefferson University. She received her undergraduate degrees from the University of Virginia and from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. She earned her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine. After graduating from residency in orthopaedic surgery at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, she completed a limb lengthening and reconstruction fellowship at the International Center for Limb Deformity in Baltimore, MD. Under the supervision of John Herzenberg, M.D., she received advanced training in the management of clubfeet. She received advanced training in pediatric orthopaedics after completing a fellowship at the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children. She is currently the president of the Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society(LLRS). She is active in many societies, including the Pediatric Society of North America, LLRS, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopedic Association, and the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. She has served as the BOS representative for LLRS and is currently the POSNA BOS representative. Dr. Nichols’ clinical interests include limb deformity and reconstruction, clubfoot, arthrogryposis, and pediatric trauma. She serves as the director of the Clubfoot Clinic and co-director of the Arthrogryposis Clinic.
Session topic: Hips
Dr. Donohoe is a board-certified pediatric clinical specialist specializing in pediatric orthopedics. She has worked with contracture disorders for over 30 years as the primary physical therapist in the hospital’s Arthrogryposis Program, Osteogenesis Imperfecta Program, and Clubfoot Program. Dr. Donohoe authored the chapters on arthrogryposis and osteogenesis imperfecta in all six editions of Physical Therapy for Children, authored Therapy, Orthotics and Assistive Devices for Osteogenesis Imperfecta in Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Case-Based Guide to Surgical Decision-Making and Care, Ambulatory Assistive Devices for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy and Activities of Daily Living Supports for Persons with Cerebral Palsy in Cerebral Palsy 2nd edition, the Relapsed Clubfoot in Paediatric Clinical Case Studies, as well as Sports and Recreation in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: Strategies to Enhance Performance. She has been involved in over ten research studies on the physical ability of individuals with arthrogryposis and club feet. She has lectured nationally and internationally on these topics. This is her 15th visit to share information at the AMCSI meeting.
Session topic: PT
Currently serves as Director of Transportation Policy and Programs, for the Maryland Department of Disabilities. With an exceptional background dealing with statewide transportation issues concerning the disabled and older age communities. Well skilled in cross disabilities. Skilled in Policy Change, Strategic Public Relations Planning, Customer Service, Data Entry, Staff Recruitment, and IT Operations. Also serves as the Vice President of the “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Society” (L.E.G.S.) a peer mentoring group. Prior to my current position as VP, I served as the President of the LEGS organization while also being involved in several other organizations including the Christopher Reeve Mentoring Program. I foresee a bright future for LEGS and the disability community with the assistance of a great network of team players taking the necessary actions required to be successful.
Session Topic: Accessible Travel
Dr. Russo is a Pediatric Upper Limb and Peripheral Nerve Surgeon and Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, Ohio. She specializes in caring for children with brachial plexus and other nerve injuries, spinal cord injuries, arthrogryposis, spasticity, and congenital hand differences. Dr. Russo directs the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Akron Children’s Hospital. In this role, she mentors graduate students and collaborates with several other institutions for research projects. Outside of work, Dr. Russo enjoys travel, food, ballet and volunteer work.
Session topic: Uppers
Dr. Scott Oishi is the Director of Hand Services in Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children’s Hand and Upper Limb Service, as well as the Program Director for the 6-mo. Pediatric Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship Program. He is a Professor in the Departments of Plastic Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Dr. Oishi grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, completed his general surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and his plastic surgery residency at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington. He completed a hand and microvascular fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and as part of that fellowship, completed a rotation with the Hand Center at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Dr. Oishi is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds a certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand. Dr. Oishi has made presentations throughout the United States and around the world, and he has authored and co-authored numerous publications.
Session topic: Uppers
Dr. Lisa V Wagner DHS, OTR/L received her OT degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and her doctorate from the University of Indianapolis. Working for Shriners Hospitals for Children for the past 34 years has allowed Lisa to participate in various research projects resulting in peer-review articles, book chapter and the ability to speak nationally and internationally. She has co-developed three distinct outcome measures including the UBET, SHUEE and SCUES. She is a clinical instructor for the Assisting Hand Assessment. Passionate about children with AMC, she is currently collaborating on an outcome assessment for better understanding of the upper extremities.
Session Topic: OT
Dr. Huser is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in lower extremity limb deformities and limb length discrepancies in both children and adults. He completed an additional year of training specifically for limb deformity and limb lengthening, and has experience caring for patients with rare or complex disorders that require limb reconstruction.
Session topic: Lowers
Dr. Zlotolow is a Pediatric Upper Limb and Peripheral Nerve Surgeon at The Shriners Hospital for Children Philadelphia and Greenville, and The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He specializes in the care of children with Arthrogryposis, brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries, spinal cord injuries, complex post-traumatic deformities, congenital differences, and limb deficiencies. He leads medical outreach missions to Havana, Cuba and Kigali, Rwanda and has founded 3 professional societies including Plexus Nexus and the Pediatric Hand International Society of Surgeons (PHISOS). He travels nationally and internationally as a visiting professor and lecturer. He was also a team leader for Zion, the first pediatric hand transplant.
Session topics: Pediatric Uppers & Adult Uppers
Dr. Sara Lemin is a board-certified Obstetrician Gynecologist practicing full-time in Canton, Ohio. She has served as the chairman of the Department of OB/GYN at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and is currently an Assistant Program Director of the OB/GYN residency program at Aultman Hospital/NEOMED. In addition to her private practice, Dr Lemin has a particular interest in the prenatal detection of arthrogryposis and raising awareness among pregnancy care providers in order to help more families prepare for the birth of their child with AMC. Dr Lemin and her husband Ian have seven children, including two boys with AMC, blessing them with a unique position at the intersection of AMC and pregnancy care. Together they founded the non-profit Take TIME For AMC, an organization dedicated to research and promotion of the prenatal detection of arthrogryposis. Dr Lemin is honored to work alongside her distinguished colleagues on the Medical Advisory Board for AMCSI.
Session topic: OB
Dr. Arun Hariharan is a pediatric orthopedic and spine surgeon at the Paley Institute, specializing in complex spinal deformities, including those found in arthrogryposis. He completed his medical education at the University of Michigan, followed by an orthopedic residency at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins, and pediatric orthopedic and spine fellowships at Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children and in Auckland, New Zealand. Actively involved in research and education, Dr. Hariharan has numerous publications and presentations and is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA). His passion for patient care and innovation ensures the highest quality of care for his patients. Outside of his professional work, Dr. Hariharan enjoys spending time with his family and cheering for Michigan, Go Blue!
Session Topic: Coming soon.
Dr. Kevin Park is a board-certified physician specializing in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Medicine and Neurorehabilitation. As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Utah, Dr. Park plays a pivotal role in adaptive sports community, resident and fellow education, multidisciplinary team leadership, and advanced spasticity management. Beyond the hospital setting, Dr. Park is a strong advocate for adaptive sports and community reintegration, recognizing the critical role recreation plays in the physical and emotional well-being of individuals with disabilities. They are actively involved with TRAILS (Technology, Recreation, Access, Independence, Lifestyle, and Sports), a pioneering adaptive recreation program at the University of Utah that empowers individuals with complex disabilities to engage in outdoor sports and active lifestyles. Through his work with TRAILS, Dr. Park has helped patients and athletes with disabilities gain access to skiing, handcycling, kayaking, and other adaptive recreational opportunities, emphasizing the importance of functional recovery, independence, and quality of life beyond the clinical setting.
Session topic: Adaptive Sports
Dr. Noémi Dahan-Oliel is a Clinician Scientist at Shriners Hospital for Children-Canada and has been an Associate Professor at McGill University, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy since 2014. Her research program focuses on improving clinical outcomes for children living with musculoskeletal conditions, specifically arthrogryposis. Research designs include mixed methods, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge translation. Together with a wonderful multidisciplinary and multisite research team, she obtained funding for several clinical research projects in arthrogryposis. These projects include developing a registry for children with arthrogryposis across North America, expanding a registry for arthrogryposis internationally, developing a measure for the upper limb specifically for children with arthrogryposis, and exploring social deprivation and costs of caring in arthrogryposis to improve care and advance research in arthrogryposis
Session Topic: Coming soon.
Tammy Phipps is an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence CDRS. She has been practicing in the area of driver rehab for over 20 years, starting her first program at a hospital in Aberdeen, SD (2005). She deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from June 2007-June 2008, while in Iraq MAJ (then CPT) Phipps was recruited to create the driving rehab program at the Department of Defense’s largest amputee care rehabilitation facility, Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. She developed (2008-2016) and led the first comprehensive driving rehabilitation program in the Department of Defense. During her tenure she provided driving rehab services to over 600 military service members with limb-loss, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and anxiety, paralysis, burns, visual deficits and complex poly-trauma. The complex nature of the illnesses and injuries seen required her to be extremely innovative as “out of the box solutions” were not going to work. Her experience at Walter Reed provided her the unique perspective needed to start private practice. In August 2016, Tammy opened Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence, LLC (DRCE) in Chantilly V A. Her business combines driver rehabilitation and vehicle modifications all in one shop. She has recently expanded driver rehabilitation centers in Richmond V A and Columbus OH. She currently employs 13 driver rehab specialists whose common goal is to make community mobility / driving accessible to as many as they can reach.
Session topic: Driving Rehab Solutions
