Speakers

Dr. Ely is a Diplomate for both the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Sleep and Breathing Academy. She attended the University of Michigan, earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1997. She is an active member of the Detroit District Dental Society, American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, American Academy … Read more

Deanna Otts-Whitfield, MSHQS, BSDH, RDH, CDIPC, is a nationally recognized speaker, author, consultant, and dental professional dedicated to advancing patient safety, infection prevention, and regulatory compliance. A United States Marine Corps veteran, she brings disciplined leadership, integrity, and a commitment to excellence to every aspect of her work. Deanna earned a Bachelor of Science in … Read more

Lori Serna-Pate, a New York native, has over 35 years of experience in the dental field, with a career rooted in microbiology and infection control that began during the HIV global pandemic. She earned a degree in Microbiology from San Diego State University and graduated as a Dental Hygienist from Loma Linda University in 1997. … Read more

Aida Bosnjak is a registered dental hygienist and orofacial myofunctional therapist with more than 25 years of clinical experience in airway-focused, physiologic dentistry. She graduated from Dental Hygiene School in 2001 with highest honors and was the recipient of the prestigious Golden Scaler Award. Prior to her career in dental hygiene, Aida completed Nursing School … Read more

Dr. David Barack began his academic career in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University before earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry in 1978. He went on to complete a residency in Periodontics at UIC in 1984 and achieved Diplomate status with the American Board of … Read more

Elliot Abt, D.D.S., M.S., M.Sc. received a master’s degree in oral pathology and dental degree from the University of Illinois. Dr. Abt completed his dental residency training at Ravenswood and the University of Illinois Hospitals. From 1989-2004, Dr. Abt was the director of the dental residency programs at Ravenswood and Illinois Masonic Medical Center. He … Read more

Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, practiced clinical dental hygiene in and around Madison, WI from 1986 to 2003 when she focused her energy on writing and speaking. Today her practice is limited to the practice of orofacial myofunctional therapy and breathing retraining. Shirley is the 2008 Alumna of the Year Marquette University School of Health Science … Read more

Jodi Walker MA, CCC-SLP, COM®, is a speech-language pathologist and Certified Oro-facial Myologist. Jodi has pioneered a neurodiverse affirming, nature-based approach to children’s airway healthcare with a focus on providing access to airway healthcare to children from diverse neurological, cultural, and economic backgrounds through innovative treatment approaches that meet the community where they are in … Read more

David L. Walner, M.D., was born and raised in the Chicago area. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, his medical degree at the Chicago Medical School, a general surgery internship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and an otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) residency at the historic University of Illinois … Read more

Kevin Boyd, DDS, MSc, is a board-certified pediatric dentist practicing in Chicago, IL. He is also an attending instructor in the Pediatric Dentistry Residency-Training Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital, where he serves as a dental consultant for the Sleep Medicine service. He also serves as a dental consultant to Lutheran General Hospital. He is a … Read more