Speaker Series
Hear from medical experts and health care professionals on a variety of topics. Our Speaker Series will include a brief presentation and time for questions.
12:00–12:25 pm
Hot Topics in Mental Health
L. Sheree Adams, MSN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, entrepreneur and speaker who graduated from SUNY Stony Brook University. Her interests include anxiety, depression, racial trauma and LGBTQIA+ issues. She is dedicated to empowering and educating people about mental health and reducing the stigma. She is the proud
owner of eunoia Wellness Collective.
12:30–12:55 pm
New Meds in Management of Obesity + DM in Adults
James Desemone, MD, FACP, CPE, is a diabetes specialist and endocrinologist. Since his retirement as a Professor of Medicine from Albany Medical College in December 2022, he welcomes the opportunity to support activities that fill gaps and address barriers to health care of people who live in our communities.
1:00–1:25 pm
New Meds in Management of Obesity + DM in Children
Linda Riddick, MD, a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, is a Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at Albany Medical Center. Dr. Riddick has practiced medicine at AMC for 28 years, treating infants, children and adolescents with endocrine and metabolic disorders, delayed puberty, diabetes, thyroid, adrenal and calcium disorders.
1:30–1:55 pm
Prostate Cancer: What You Need to Know
Anthony P. Benjamin, MD, is a urologist in Troy, NY. He is affiliated with multiple area hospitals, including St. Peter’s and Samaritan. Dr. Benjamin received his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine/Hahnemann University and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He has expertise in treating kidney removal and prostate cancer, among other conditions.
2:00–2:25 pm
Tips to Better Management of High Blood Pressure
Alain R, Vaval, MD, is a cardiologist in Albany, NY. He
is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including St. Peter’s and Samaritan. He received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. Dr. Vaval has expertise in treating heart failure, aneurysm and coronary artery disease, among other conditions.
2:30–2:55 pm
Women’s Health: Hot Topics
Michael Christine, MD, is an obstetrics
and gynecology specialist in Albany, NY. He received his medical degree from Albany Medical College in 1990, and has more than 30 years experience in the medical field specializing in the female reproductive system and care for women during pregnancy,
childbirth and postpartum.
Moderators
Stefanie Perez is a consultant retained to assist public and nonprofit groups involved in overseeing a Public Health pilot initiative in building the infrastructure of public health AmeriCorps programming in New York state.
Janice Pride-Boone, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and certified marriage and family therapist. A graduate of Harvard Medical School, she completed her residency at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and Georgetown University. Dr. Pride-Boone practices at St. Mary’s Pediatric and Family Medicine in Johnstown and is medical director of Strong Me! a non-profit organization dedicated to building healthy habits.
Gregory A. Threatte, MD, a 1973 graduate of the SUNY Upstate College of Medicine, is board certified in clinical and anatomic pathology and specializes in the treatment of metabolic conditions. He returned to his alma mater in 1986 as Associate Professor of Pathology and, in 2003, became chairman of the Department of Pathology. Dr. Threatte retired in 2012 and is currently professor emeritus of Pathology at Upstate.