WOC 2025

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Russell Rising

D & S Consulting Services Inc, United States

Biography:

Dr. Russell Rising obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, Tucson. He started his career by inventing the world’s first whole room indirect calorimeter (WRIC) for infants at Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY. He then created several types of animal WRIC’s, including one for non-human primates. Finally, he has created seven human adult WRIC laboratories worldwide comprising of 22 metabolic rooms. He has over 55 publications, been featured on television broadcasts, as well as holding a full adjunct professorship at China’s largest medical school. Currently, he is President of Research and Development of D & S Consulting services Inc.

Jeane Silva

Augusta University, United States

Biography:

Dr. Silva earned a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and is board-certified in Molecular Technology by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Ph.D. program in Applied Health Sciences at the School of Public Health, Augusta University. Dr. Silva also holds a doctoral degree in Education with a focus on educational innovation. Her research focuses on genetic biomarkers, particularly monogenetic variants associated with severe obesity that impact food intake and circulating microRNAs that predict drug resistance in patients with Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Silva has made significant contributions to science by publishing over 30 research articles in peer-reviewed journals. Her dedication to teaching and learning is reflected in her commitment to advising students to foster critical thinking skills and a lifelong love of learning.

F Buck Willis

Belize Bible College, Punta Gorda, Belize

Biography:

Dr Buck Willis started his life again following what the FAA categorized as a “Fatal Plane Crash.” He overtook the challenges from a 3-year series of 16 operations to rebuild his legs by later Squatting 230kg. After the crash he also earned four degrees, now including his MD, and his research has changed the standard of care in rehabilitation medicine (over 50 publications with eight books and 45 presentations). After earning his PhD in kinesiology, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Bob Esquerre

Esquerre Fitness Group International, United States

Biography:

Before joining the Health & Fitness Sector, Bob spent over 13 years in Corporate America specializing in Business Planning, Project and Operations Management. With 38 years in the Sector, he has become a Trainer of Trainers, Instructor of Instructors, and Manager of Managers. His expertise covers Group Exercise, Personal Training, and Operations Management. As a global lecturer, Bob offers Business Growth Strategies and Operations Analysis to Club/Studio Owners, Managers, and Fitness Professionals. His focus: (1) developing strategies to create safe, customer-centric communities that effectively engage the 80%+ inactive population and (2) incorporates Emotional Intelligence skills in developing Fitness Professionals.

Gretchen Holmes

Sam Houston State University, United States

Biography:

Dr. Gretchen Holmes is an award-winning and accomplished senior-level hospital executive, Graduate Medical Education (GME) DIO, Clinical Trials Leader, and an experienced social science researcher/methodologist who is driven by her passion to bring humanity back to medicine by fostering a learning environment that teaches future providers to be compassionate and competent and to embrace patient centered-care. She earned her BS and MA degrees from New York University and her PhD in Health Communication from the University of Kentucky with a Graduate Certificate in Medical Behavioral Science. She currently serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Patient Experience.

Ann Gilbert

BS Purdue University, United States

Biography:

Ann Gilbert is an owner of Fit-Her Health & Fitness for Women. Ann oversees the operations of as many as 10 certified Personal Trainers, 15 Group Fitness professionals, and coordinates small and large group training programs for all ages. Ann was awarded ACE / IHRSA Personal Trainer of the Year and has been a popular speaker at conferences internationally since 2002. Ann advises club/studio owners, fit pros, and corporate wellness coaches on creating operational strategies to enhance retention and referral. Ann is known as an expert in relationship building and creating customer success.

Amy Gutman

AdventHealth; Tough Love MD, United States

Biography:

With over three decades of clinical, corporate, and research experience, Dr Amy Gutman, MD, FACEP, is board-certified in Emergency Medicine with multiple fellowships and specialized certifications, including leadership/administration, occupational medicine, and nutritional and ketogenic coaching. She is a nocturnist emergency physician and CEO of ToughLoveMD, a private practice that optimizes physical and mental health through evidence-based medical practices. She has spoken to thousands of global conference attendees, dedicated to utilizing transformational medical science to empower personal and professional resiliency.

Allison B Reiss

NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, United States

Biography:

Allison B. Reiss, M.D. is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, educator and molecular biologist who studies the immune and inflammatory mechanisms that promote the development of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Her research is directed toward finding effective therapies for these disease states. Dr. Reiss has a strong passion for community outreach and is dedicated to improving healthcare, especially for older populations.  Dr. Reiss is Head of The Inflammation Laboratory and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. She is well-published in medical and scientific journals and has chaired symposia at national and international conferences.

Andrzej Bissinger

Medical University of Lodz, Poland

Biography:

Dr Andrzej Bissinger is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist. He graduated Medical University in Lodz, Poland in 1993, received his PhD degree in 1997 at the same institution. He is certified cardiologist since 2003 and Cardiac Device Specialist of European Heart Rhythm Association since 2007. He is a member of International Society of Holter & Noninvasive Electrocardiology; Polish Cardiac Society; European Society of Cardiology; European Heart Rhythm Association. He has published more than 76 research articles in SCI(E) journals. He was an investigator in several clinical studies. At present he works as a Head of Cardiac Electrophysioloy Lab in Department of Cardiology, ‘Kopernik’ Hospital, Lodz, Poland. His fields of work are general cardiology, non-invasive and invasive treatment of arrhythmias and treatment patients with heart failure.

Ashok Sharma

Apollo Hospital, India

Biography:

Dr. Ashok Sharma, MD medicine, Geriatric medicine course Mediversity, Virology certificate course Mayo clinic. Present working as a Physician at Apollo hospital Delhi India. Assistant professor of medicine at Prasad institute of medical sciences Lucknow Member Management committee Diabetes US 2021 Orlando and Diabetes 2023 Boston Indian academy of Ecocardiography, Global association of physician of Indian origin Presenting Web talks as speaker at National and International conference.