2026 OAHC Conference

Speakers 

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
Fueled Growth Partners

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, MPH, is a Program Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association Oregon & Southwest Washington Chapter, where she supports education, outreach, and programs for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

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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