ObesityHelp Conference Speakers: OH2015 Saturday Sessions

May 4, 2015

We are excited to announce our OH2015 ObesityHelp Conference speakers for the Saturday Sessions. In addition to a great line up of speakers, this year we have added more fitness activities to the conference schedule. Make sure to stop by and learn more about both our Friday and Saturday speakers and their sessions. We continue to add more details to the OH2015 agenda, so keep checking!

Join us in Raleigh, NC, October 16th & 17th for two jammed pack days of education, support and celebration! Reserve Your Tickets NOW

	Keynote: Zonya Foco, RD, CSP, CHFI As America’s Nutrition Leader, Zonya Foco is a master of inspiration, motivation and visual humor, providing hard-facts information and simple solutions that help everyday people improve health, create balance and maximize energy. If you’re expecting a lecture-style presentation from this “energizer health bunny” – DON’T! Zonya pulls out all the stops in her live presentations, video seminars and TV show—delivering equal parts entertainment and education all the way. Zonya helps people laugh at their bad habits and discover the joy in adopting new, healthier habits. Learn more at Zonya’s OH2015 Keynote session, Head Hunger and Fitness: Taking Willpower out of the Equation.
	Fireside Chat: Pam O’Neal Pam O’Neal has spent a lifetime struggling with her weight. She thought she had finally found the answer when she became the likable, married, mother of 2 contestant on the Biggest Loser in 2006. After being trained by some of the most elite trainers in the world and learning all she could about nutrition and exercise, she was sent back home to continue her new found lifestyle. It didn’t take long for Pam to realize that even with all the knowledge and motivation, she still never felt like she was in control of her own body. Learn more at Pam’s #OH2015 Fireside Chat, Life Changes: Biggest Loser to VSG.
	Dr. Stapleton & Cari De La Cruz Connie Stapleton, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who, for nearly a decade, has worked directly with surgical weight loss patients before and after weight loss surgery. Cari De La Cruz is a gastric bypass patient successfully maintaining a loss of half her original body weight. She is twice the woman in half the body! Together, Cari and Connie work as A Post Op & A Doc! Together they guide people in a firm, fair and fun way, beyond a life focused on the scale, to living fully in recovery from obesity. Learn more at Connie & Cari's talk, Make the Commitment to Accountability & Maintenance. Today! Everyday!
	Dr. Paul Enochs Dr. Paul Enochs founded the Triangle’s first and at the time, only private weight loss surgery center in 2002. As an innovator, he performed Raleigh’s first gastric bypass, first sleeve gastrectomy, and first Lap-Band procedure. To date, Dr. Enochs has performed more Bariatric procedures in the Triangle area than any other bariatric surgeon. Dr. Enochs is the founding partner of Bariatric Specialists of North Carolina. Presently he serves as the Medical Director of Bariatrics at WakeMed Cary Hospital, serves on the Board of Directors of Rex Surgery Center of Cary, and has served terms as Medical Director of Bariatrics for Rex Hospital and Franklin Regional Medical Center. Learn more at Dr. Enoch’s talk, How to know when your tool needs to be sharpened.
	Devon Burnore, M.S., LPC, LCAS, NCC Devon Burnore, M.S., LPC, LCAS, NCC received her Master’s of Science in professional counseling from Georgia State University; and a substance abuse counseling certificate from East Carolina University. Devon is a nationally certified counselor, a licensed professional counselor and licensed clinical addictions specialist in the state of North Carolina. She is a counselor at FirstHealth Bariatric Center and is also a certified equine therapist through EAGALA. Devon has worked in the mental health field since 2006 and has experience working with children, adolescents, adults, families and military families. Learn more at Devon’s talk, Hopscotching: The basics of cross addictive behaviors.
	Katie Jay, MSW An internationally recognized authority on weight loss surgery; Katie Jay, MSW, is the founder and director of the National Association for Weight Loss Surgery (NAWLS). She also is a certified life and wellness coach. The author of three books – Dying to Change, Small Bites: Daily Inspirations for Weight Loss Surgery Patients, and The Weight Loss Surgery Stages of Transformation – Katie underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2004 and maintains a 180-pound weight loss. As a coach, she helps clients overcome food cravings, emotional eating, behavioral challenges, negative self talk, and weight regain. Learn more at Katie’s talk, Is your brain making you eat?
	Ellen Michal, RD, LDN, CDE Ms. Michal has been with Duke Raleigh Hospital as an outpatient dietitian since 1999. She has helped people with diabetes and currently dedicates her time to the Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery program. She enjoys seeing individuals transform as they progress along the weight loss path. “The sharing of information with my clients is a two way street; we do this together.” For fun, she teaches group exercise at Rex Wellness Center in Raleigh and has been a certified instructor for more than 20 years. Learn more at Ellen’s talk, Mind Games: Re-engineer your thoughts and behaviors to reach your goals!