The Conference brings together bright minds to give talks that are action-oriented on a wide range of subjects related to immunizations to foster learning and inspiration, as well as provoke conversations that matter and actions that lead to increased vaccination rates for Missourians. We aim to empower the public health workforce by offering a stage for stakeholders to share innovative ideas, equitable solutions, and their personal experiences promoting immunizations.

Meet the Speakers

Lynelle Paro
State of Missouri Bureau of Immunizations Chief

Lynelle Paro is Bureau Chief for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ Bureau of Immunizations. She also currently serves as the coordinator of the school and daycare immunization programs. Ms. Paro has been with the Department for 28 years.

Daniel Graciaa, MD, MPH, MSc
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Infectious Diseases
Emory University School of Medicine, Emory Vaccine Center

I am a clinician-scientist with clinical and research training in infectious diseases and serve as Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory University. I am focused on clinical and translational research in infectious diseases, particularly translational immunology and vaccine clinical trials. During my medical education (MD) and clinical training, I received additional training in epidemiology (MPH) and in clinical and translational research (Master of Science in Clinical Research). At the Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, I serve as site PI or sub-investigator on multiple vaccine clinical trials including through NIH-funded networks.

Rosalind Carter, PhD
Senior Scientist/Bridge Evaluation Lead
Applied Research Implementation Science and Evaluation (ARISE) Branch
Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Stephanie Mucha, MPH
Director, Vaccine Equity Project
The Autism Society of America

Katrina Starnes, IPC
Strategic Research Consultant
Lambert

I have more than 20 years of experience conducting specialized research projects and communicating insights across multiple industries, with an emphasis on engaging hard-to-reach populations, improving health outcomes, and nonprofit program effectiveness. Passionate about leveraging research to make a difference in the world, I serve as the Senior Research Director at Lambert in St. Louis, Missouri. I have a BS in Business Management with a minor in Interpersonal Communication from the University of Evansville and hold expert-level researcher certification with the Insights Association. 

Lana Hudanick, RN, MPH
Nurse Manager
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

I have worked in public health and immunizations for over 20 years.  Currently I work as the Immunization Quality  Improvement coordinator, adolescent and flu coordinator and educational/partnership and program effectiveness  Work for 10 years with the state of Missouri.  I have a BSN from Missouri Baptist University and a MPH from Ohio University In Athens. 

Kenneth Haller, MD
Pediatrician
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital

I have been a primary care pediatrician for over 40 years and have dealt frequently with parents who have expressed concerns about vaccination for their children. I have developed techniques, based on the skills of improvisational theater and motivational interviewing that help parents recognize their fears and allow them to move toward making appropriate health care decisions for their children.

Carol Kobb, PhD Candidate
Department of Family and Community Medicine
University of Missouri School of Medicine

Currently pursuing a PhD in population health and precision medicine under the translational biosciences program. I have spent the past few months involved in working with the data discussed in this presentation.

Jane McElroy, PhD
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
University of Missouri School of Medicine

20 years experience in epidemiology research.  Several projects funded with federal funding related to immunology and Vaccinations.

Kamran Qureshi, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
St. Louis University School of Medicine

I am a Transplant hepatologist / Gastroenterologist at St. Louis University. I am currently an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology. I am Program director for GI fellowship training, and Director for pre-clinical courses, clinical clerkships for medical students. I have been working as a hepatologists for almost 9 years in Transplant academic center. My clinical and research focus is on chronic liver diseases, viral hepatitis and liver cancer.

Kalyan Gogineni, MBBS

Kelsie Stafford
Clinic Manager
Cass County Health Department

Grace Kresse, RN
Nurse Lead
Cass County Health Department

Maria Young
Founder and President
Maria’s Miracle

Vivian Huang, MD, MPH
Preventative Medicine Physician
Hepatitis B Survivor and Vaccine Advocate

Dr. Vivian Huang is a dual trained physician, internal medicine and preventive medicine/public health. She has spent a large part of her career in clinical medicine and public health, with experiences with Doctors Without Borders, Partners In Health, Charles B Wang Community Health Center and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She has spoken openly about her global health experiences on the Moth, story here: https://themoth.org/storytellers/vivian-huang. Vivian is a long-time hepatitis B expert, advocate, and survivor. Hepatitis B infection can be prevented with vaccination. We can have a world without hepatitis B. In her free time, she enjoys the great outdoors with her partner and Shibu Inu doggie and lives in Phoenix, Arizona.  

Charles Hinderliter
Vaccine Advocate

Exhibitors

  • AstraZeneca
  • CSL Seqirus
  • Dynavax
  • GSK
  • Health Quality Innovators (HQI)
  • Merck
  • Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Immunizations
  • Missouri Department of Health and  Senior Services, Office of Dental Health
  • Missouri Family Health Council, Inc.
  • Missouri Pharmacy Association
  • Missouri Primary Care Association
  • Missouri Society of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians
  • Moderna Tx
  • MU Department of Public Health
  • Novavax
  • Pfizer, Inc
  • Rural Health Research Center
  • SmartTracker
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri
  • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri
  • University of Missouri Department of Public Health