Keynote Speaker: Archelle Georgiou, MD

Dr. Archelle Georgiou is an experienced director, advisor, speaker, and author – who also happens to be a physician. But colleagues think of her as a lightning rod for change. One of Archelle’s greatest passions is using the media to educate consumers. Since 2007, she has been an on-air medical expert and covered more than 1100 different topics: from research, technology and clinical care to health insurance and healthcare policy. The underlying message to viewers in every segment is “doctors and patients are on an equal playing field…so use your voice and advocate for yourself.”

Drawing on 20+ years of experience in patient care, managed care, media, and business, Archelle developed the CARES Model, a five-step approach that consumers can use to make healthcare decisions that balance the best medical care with their personal, professional, social, and economic preferences. In February 2017, she published her first book, “Health Care Choices: 5 Steps to Getting the Medical Care You Want and Need” (Rowman & Littlefield).

Mid Day Plenary Speaker: Emil Lou, MD, PhD, FACP

After completing undergraduate studies in biochemistry at SUNY College at Geneseo, Dr. Lou received his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees (Microbiology and Immunology) from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2004. He performed his residency training in Internal Medicine at Duke University Medical Center and then subsequently completed his Medical Oncology and Hematology fellowship at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2010. He also completed an additional fellowship in Neuro-Oncology at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke.

Dr. Lou, a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine, is board certified in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine. In addition he is also board certified in Neuro-Oncology through the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties. He joined the faculty in the Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation in 2011 and is a member of the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.

Health Equity Plenary: Vayong Moua

Vayong Moua is responsible for developing strategy and action for Blue Cross’ prevention and health equity advocacy initiatives to reduce tobacco use, obesity, and health inequities among all Minnesotans. Moua focuses on integrating health equity into policy advocacy approaches and structural solutions. Moua currently chairs the Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC) that catalyzed the Department of Human Service’s agency wide equity policy. Moua also co-founded the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition that led passage of Minnesota’s state Complete Streets law.