2025 Speaker Bios
Rachel Ramirez, MA, MSW, LISW-S, RA
Invisible Impact: Domestic Violence and Brain Injury
Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury: Strangulation, Concussions,
and Trauma
Rachel Ramirez, MA, MSW, LISW-S, RA, is the director of health and disability programs and the founder of the Center on Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury at the Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN). Her focus is on supporting professionals and systems to better understand traumatic stress and the impact of brain injury, which translates into more accessible and effective services. She provides extensive statewide, national, and international training, technical assistance, consultation, and program support.
Rachel has co-authored several peer reviewed journal articles and has been featured on National Public Radio, NBC News, The New York Times Magazine, and The Washington Post. Rachel is a licensed independent social worker and a registered advocate with senior standing. and has been with ODVN for 17 years.
Kayla Jones
North Dakota Interpersonal Violence Advocacy Panel
Kayla Jones is a skilled professional with an extensive background in domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child advocacy. With years of practical experience in these areas, she has dedicated her career to supporting survivors, providing resources, and training multidisciplinary professionals. Driven by empathy and a genuine desire to make a difference, Kayla is deeply committed to creating safer communities and empowering those affected by violence and exploitation.
Tara Bjornson, MA
North Dakota Interpersonal Violence Advocacy Panel
Tara Bjornson, MA, received her master's degree in forensic psychology from the University of North Dakota (UND). She has been the assistant director at the Domestic Violence Crisis Center since 2013, where she oversees all direct services programming for the agency. Tara has presented at local, state, and national trainings regarding domestic and sexual violence, and coercive control. She is an adjunct professor at Minot State University and chairs several multi-disciplinary teams in Minot. Additionally, Tara developed and facilitates the first domestic violence/sexual assault adult forensic interviewing program in North Dakota.
Courtney Monroe-Ryckman
North Dakota Interpersonal Violence Advocacy Panel
Courtney Monroe Ryckman, is a LBSW Direct Services Supervisor. In addition to supervising AARC's direct service staff, she has 22 years of local and statewide advocacy experience related to working with victims of domestic and sexual violence including providing multi-disciplinary training and education, developing resources on domestic violence and sexual assault, facilitating statewide committees and task forces on domestic violence and sexual assault related issues, shelter and shared parenting time. She is a graduate of Minot State University where she earned her Bachelor's of Social Work degree and then obtained her LBSW.
Barbara Huewe, LBSW
North Dakota Interpersonal Violence Advocacy Panel
Barbara Huewe, LBSW, is a graduate of UND where she earned her bachelor's degree in social work. Since then, she has devoted her career to specializing in domestic violence. Committed to empowering individuals and families affected by abuse to reclaim their lives and build safe, healthy futures. Her work involves not only providing essential support and resources to survivors on an individual level but also advocating for systemic change to address the root causes of domestic violence and prevent future cases.
Edna White, BS, CLC
Embracing Authenticity and Emotional Wellness in Brain Injury Recovery
Edna White, BS, CLC, is an award-winning life purpose coach, author, and motivational speaker celebrated for her transformative impact on personal and professional growth. As founder of 2nd Chance Inc., she empowers individuals and teams to overcome trauma, unlock their full potential, and create meaningful lives. Through a unique blend of empathy, expertise, and practical strategies, she helps clients build resilience, cultivate strong relationships, and reach their goals.
White's work has transformed thousands globally through coaching, workshops, books, and her podcast. She is a sought-after expert in leadership, trauma recovery, and personal transformation.
Jenessa Lemon, DO
Telehealth Guided Exercise as an Achievable Way to Improve Brain Injury Rehabilitation Outcomes in Rural and Resource Poor Settings
Jenessa Lemon, DO, grew up in rural northern Utah watching her father impact the lives of their community as a physician and she decided to become one also. After receiving a bachelor's degree in biology at Utah State University, she completed a master's degree in bioinformatics, which involved genetically differentiating two species of buckwheat for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She then attended medical school at Kansas City University. She spent several rotations of her third year escaping the metropolis to gain more experience in underserved areas of Kansas.
Lemon graduated from medical school with a degree in osteopathic medicine in May 2024 and is now practicing as an intern physician at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. In July, she will be continuing her training as a resident in diagnostic radiology at The Ohio State University, with an interest in brain imaging. Lemon enjoys scuba diving, baking, and she never misses a total solar eclipse. She is siblings with her co-presenter, Joshua Blotter, MD.
Joshua Blotter, MD
Telehealth Guided Exercise as an Achievable Way to Improve Brain Injury Rehabilitation Outcomes in Rural and Resource Poor Settings
Joshua Blotter, MD, also grew up in northern Utah, sharing a role model with Jenessa Lemon. As siblings, they have spent the past 30 years learning from each other and enjoying conversations about shared interests. Blotter also attended Utah State University, earning a bachelor's degree in economics followed by a Master of Business Administration. He earned his medical degree at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.
Blotter has spent the past four years as a resident physician in Neurology at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. After graduating this spring, he will be heading to Iowa City to complete a fellowship in epileptology at the University of Iowa. He can be found playing the saxophone, running a marathon, or enjoying time with his family outdoors.
Gail Nelson, MEd, LPC
The Ripple Effect: Brain Injury and Relationships
Gail Nelson, MEd, LPC, started Journey Counseling in 2008 after graduating from NDSU with a master's degree in counselor education. She has a bachelor's degree from UND in social work and a concentration in medical rehabilitation. She has worked as a corporate trainer and workshop facilitator for over 30 years. She specializes in relationship issues like conflict management, communication gaps and skill building, problems related to boundary management and infidelity.
She has helped clients get assessments and resources related to brain health and helps address the relationship dynamics caused by brain injury.
Gail has been a member of the Couple's Institute for 15 years and was selected into the master mentor program with Dr. Ellyn Bader and Dr. Peter Pearson for a year-long training with 20 other therapists from around the world.
Kelly Lang, BA
Family Affair: Brain Injury Affects More Than the Survivor
Kelly Lang, BA, bestselling author of "The Miracle Child: Traumatic Brain Injury and Me", is a brain injury survivor and caregiver to a daughter who sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2001. She co-leads the Brain Injury Association of America's Advisory Council and serves on the Virginia Brain Injury Advisory Council. She has worked with the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems' Brain Injury Learning Collaborative and served on both the Traumatic Brain Injury Leadership and the Person-Centered Advisory Group.
Lang has been a keynote speaker at many brain injury conferences, conducted workshops, and webinars. She is the recipient of the 2024 Mark Ylvisaker Memorial Pediatric Brain Injury Symposium Lecturer at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. She co-created and facilitated a series for brain injury survivors interested in getting more involved in their communities. She is also a communications trainer with Inova Hospital and works in the trauma arena.
Nan Kennelly, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST
Brain Injury as a Chronic Condition
Executive Functions and the Unspoken Factors
Executive Functioning Panel
Nan Kennelly, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST, earned her master of science degree from UND in 1994. She has dedicated her career to the treatment of cognitive-communication disorders related to brain injury, stroke, and other neurological conditions. Nan has gained extensive experience and specialized training in the subacute, acute, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and private practice settings. Currently, she is both owner and treating therapist at Onword Therapy.
Kennelly enjoys working with high-level cognitive and communication needs in individuals with mild TBI, post-concussive symptoms, stroke, ADHD, and executive functioning challenges. She considers it an honor and privilege to help her patients get back to work/school/home and reach goals of higher function, independence, and efficiency. Nan is a regional leader both in brain injury and in her profession. She advocates for North Dakota residents and families living with brain injury.
Heidi Fiskness, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS
Executive Functions and the Unspoken Factors
Executive Functioning Panel
Heidi Fiskness, MS CCC-SLP, CBIS, obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in speech language hearing sciences, her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish in 2007, and her Master of Science in speech language pathology in 2009 from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She has worked at the private practice, rehab, acute, and outpatient levels for children through adult ages. She currently works in outpatient at Sanford Health where she provides evaluations of neurological diseases and appropriate intervention plans for her patients.
Fiskness strives to prioritize health education for her patients and their families to support follow-through on recommendations and improve treatment success. Heidi specializes in neurological rehabilitation, brain injury, swallowing, speech/language, aural rehabilitation, vocal cord dysfunction, and voice. She holds certifications of brain injury specialist, VitalStim Therapy, LSVT LOUD, and SPEAK OUT! Fiskness is a licensed SLP in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, as well as with American Speech-Language-Hearing Association at the national level. She is an advocate for her patients and provides support to help patients reach personal their goals.
Megan Dooley, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT, CLIPP, CBIS, Skills2Care
Executive Functions and the Unspoken Factors
Executive Functioning Panel
Megan Dooley, OTD, OTR/L, LSVT, CLIPP, CBIS, Skills2Care, is an occupational therapist and the owner of Innovative Therapy Solutions & Consulting LLC, a mobile outpatient clinic that serves people across the lifespan. She is a Certified Living in Place Professional and Brain Injury Specialist and certified in LSVT BIG, hippotherapy, and Skills2Care.
Dooley's expertise includes working with caregivers of individuals with dementia, individuals with neurological conditions, home modifications, and leading community groups related to health and wellness for people with chronic illnesses. Megan truly believes that through collaboration and hard work we can help individuals age-in-place while maintaining their highest quality of life.
Rebecca Quinn, MSW, LCSW, CBIST
Update on the North Dakota Brain Injury State Plan
Rebecca Quinn, MSW, LCSW, CBIST, serves as an associate director for the Center for Rural Health at the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) in Grand Forks. Quinn manages NDBIN, and the State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup project. She is also the principal investigator of the North Dakota Qualified Service Provider Hub.
Quinn's experience includes working in various settings, primarily in the healthcare field. She served as an adjunct professor in the social work department at UND where she taught courses on gerontology and substance abuse. Quinn is a licensed social worker and obtained her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Texas at Arlington in May 2000 and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M in 1997.
Shannan Stanke, BS
Brain Injury Survivor Opportunity Network (BISON)
Shannon Stanke, BS, is a resource facilitator with the Center for Rural Health (CRH) at UND SMHS. Her main responsibilities include working with NDBIN to provide resources and assistance to brain injury survivors and caregivers. Her focus will be serving residents in southeastern North Dakota. Originally from Devils Lake, she received her bachelor's degree in exercise science from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Before joining CRH, Stanke worked for Noridian and as a health coach for Profile Plan. Shannan is a published author of "Bumped His Head and Went to Bed," and has presented at Mind Matters and the National Association of State Head Injury Administrations Annual Conference. Shannan is also a certified master personal trainer. She earned her CBIS credential in April of 2024.