Speakers and Performers for the 2012 Conference:

Full Descriptions and Registration Information is Available in the
Conference Brochure

Mary E. O’Brien, MD

Opening Keynote Address on Wednesday, June 5th, 9:15am
Beatrice Ruth Burgess Memorial Lecture

"How Old Would You Be if You Didn't Know How Old You Were?"

Dr. Mary O'Brien obtained her M.D. at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is a geriatrician who is also board certified in Internal Medicine and Nutrition. Dr. O'Brien has served on the medical school faculties of Georgetown University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over three decades of clinical practice contribute to her trademark style of offering practical solutions based on the intersection of science and common sense.

Joshua M. Dower, MD

Keynote Address on Wednesday, June 6th, 10:15am

Illusions of Time – Narrating Defining Moments

Dr. Josh Dower is a Morgantown native, husband of 12 years to his lovely wife, Missi, and father of three sons – Elijah, Noah and Jacob. He proudly received his White Coat at this ceremony in 2002 with his mother, Barbara, and father, John, in attendance. Since his entrance into clinical medicine, a decade ago, he has received multiple awards and recognition. He is currently triple board certified and serves in leadership positions with organizations including: Vice President of Medical Services for Hospice Care Corporation, Executive Director of the West Virginia Family Grief Center, and Director of CUB Care – Pediatric Supportive Care team at WVU Children's Hospital. Dr. Josh completed a pediatric palliative medicine fellowship at Akron Children's Hospital and becoming board certified in Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2010. He completed medical school and a combined residency in Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at West Virginia University. During his residency, Dr. Josh was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society, recognized as an Outstanding Teaching Resident, Outstanding House Staff, Outstanding Resident in Ambulatory Care, and served as Med Peds Chief Resident. He has an enthusiastic interest in caring for families facing life limiting illness and his passion was nationally recognize in 2007 when he shared the American Academy of Pediatrics Anne E. Dyson Child Advocacy Award with his friend and colleague, Dr. Raveen Raviendran. Dr. Josh helped development and raise funds for two memorial bereavement libraries at WVU. His dreams became a reality by launching a family centered supportive care program in WVU Children's Hospital on January 3rd of this year. He is a proud hospice and palliative care champion for grieving children, veterans, and nursing home residents across our region and is making an impact throughout the Great State of West Virginia.

The Songcatchers

Evening Performance on Wednesday, June 6th, 5pm

Bluegrass Music Come of Age: Across Time and Cultures

Dr. Everett Alan Lilly is the son of Everett Lilly of the famed Lilly Brothers. He has played and/or recorded with Bill Monroe, Bill Keith and Jim Rooney, The Charles River Valley Boys (recorded “Beatle Country on Elektra and Rounder), Joe Val, and of course The Lilly Brothers and Don Stover with whom he made the groundbreaking Japan tours.

The Songcatchers were created several years ago at Mountain State University in Beckley, West Virginia where Everett was teaching bluegrass music and other traditional music classes. Everett and former students, Tiffany Underwood and Bill Atkinson, began singing as a trio and soon were joined by other students as well as younger people from the community and The Songcatchers were born.

The Songcatchers are featured on two recordings. They contributed one song to the CD, “Always Lift Him Up: A Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed” which includes such notables as Tim O’Brien and Kathy Mattea. The Songcatchers also have their own CD titled “High on a Mountaintop.”

The Songcatchers perform in the Carter Family tradition with a bluegrass flavor. They are joined by some capable young people including 12 year old banjoist, Blaine Johnson, and 17 year old Jordan Young on mandolin. Everett’s young daughter, Ashley Lilly, is the newest addition on vocals. The Songcatchers have performed on Mountain Stage, The Vandalia Festival, The International Bluegrass Music Association Fanfest in Nashville, professional conferences, and a variety of other venues. For more information about The Songcatchers visit their website at thesongcatchers.com or contact Dr. Everett Lilly at evrlilly@mountainstate.edu Tele: 304-673-1389.

Perry Bryant

Lunch Presentation on Thursday, June 7th, 12:00pm

Recent Developments on the Affordable Care Act

Perry Bryant was born in Texas, and grew up mostly in Dayton, Ohio and Lynn, Massachusetts. He has a degree in Sociology from Fairmont State University and did graduate work in Public Administration at West Virginia University. He retired after twenty years of service from West Virginia Education Association, and founded West Virginians for Affordable Health Care. WVAHC is a public interest, nonprofit organization that represents the interest of consumers. WVAHC is a membership and grant funded organization, and is governed by an all star Board of Directors. Perry has written a number of reports on the Affordable Care Act, including The Affordable Care Act: Moving Forward in West Virginia.

Jeffrey D. Elliott, MA, AADC-S, LICDC, ICCS

Closing Keynote Presentation on Thursday, June 7th, 3:15pm

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Getting Older

Jeffrey Elliott has been working in the field of addictions, chemical dependency and mental health since 1982. During that time, he has provided individual, group and family therapy services at hospitals, community mental health centers, prisons and in private practice. Mr. Elliott has given presentations to various clubs, churches, schools, hospitals and civic organizations on such topics as chemical dependency, addictions, recovery, co-dependency, eating disorders, dealing with stress, and dealing with aging populations. Mr. Elliott has also presented at the "International Symposium on the Treatment of Addictive Disorders" held annually in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the annual Spring Conference of the WV Chapter of National Association of Social Workers, also held annually in Charleston, WV., and the Summer Institute on Aging, sponsored by the West Virginia University School of Social Work, Morgantown, WV. Mr. Elliott is a graduate of Park University, Parkville, Missouri with a Bachelors Degree in Business Management and a Masters Degree in Psychology, Counseling and Guidance, from the University of Northern Colorado, in Greeley, Colorado. He is currently employed by PSIMED Inc. of Charleston, WV, providing individual and group mental health and addiction therapy services to the over 550 male inmates at St. Mary's Correctional Center, St. Mary's, WV. He is past president of the WV Mental Health Counselor's Association and past Executive Board Member of the WV Counseling Association. He has been a member of the Social Services Technology Advisory Board at WVU-Parkersburg, and member of the Ohio University Counselor Education Advisory Board in the Psychology Department, Athens, Ohio. He has also served as president of the Board of Directors for the Family Crisis Intervention Center for Domestic Violence in Parkersburg, WV, and as an adjunct faculty member at West Virginia University at Parkersburg, and Marshall University Graduate Program in Counseling. He lives with his wife of 39 years, Susan and daughter Hilary in Parkersburg, West Virginia.