Board of Directors

2025 - 2026 Board Members

Joe Leonard - President

Joe Leonard is a bright and vibrant 30-something hailing from the metropolis of Largo, Florida. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Joe started working in medical research as a part of FORE during undergrad. For the past 12 years, Joe has continued to work for FORE, FIVE Labs, and now USBioskills. In 2019, Joe was, unfortunately, diagnosed with Stage III rectal cancer, which he successfully battled and overcame in 2020. Now, Joe continues with USBioskills as a Director overseeing the coordination, logistics, and technologies of events and facilities in the USBioskills network. Joe lives in Tampa, Florida with his wife and enjoys traveling to distant lands and spending time their fur children.

Robin Bozarth, Vice President

Robin Bozarth is the Manager RoRof Compliance and Quality Assurance for the Medical Education Research Institute (MERI). Robin has been with MERI since 2003. MERI is a nonprofit medical teaching and training school/bioskills lab in Memphis, TN. Robin holds an Associates of Applied Science Degree and is a licensed Funeral Director in the State of TN. She is a Certified Tissue Banking Specialist (CTBS) through the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) since 2012.CQA (Certified Quality Auditor) certified as of February 2019. Robin has served in the healthcare industry for over twenty-five years. She is a professional member of many societies and involved in many community-based volunteer programs. Robin has been a member of ABLE for eleven years and will serve on the Board of Directors as Past President for 2022-2023 as an ex-officio member  

Becky Hendershot, Treasurer

Becky is the Lab Manager at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute Surgical Training and Education Center. She graduated from Universirty of Central Florida with a BS in Biology and has pursued her passion for science ever since. With over a decade of experience in emergency veterinary medicine and sea turtle research, Becky fell in love with the Bioskills field in 2021. Now, her goals include growing the next generation of bioskills professionals and seeking to standardize best practices in this field.  

Katherine Arner, Secretary

Katie Arner is an Anatomy Technologist at the Center for Education, Simulation, and Innovation (CESI) at Hartford Hospital in Connecticut. She holds a BS in Forensic Science and a MS in Investigations from the University of New Haven. Katie began her professional journey as a pathology intern at the Yale School of Medicine, where she discovered her passion for forensic pathology. Her experience spans a unique spectrum of life sciences, from working at the State of Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to contributing at a Connecticut fertility clinic, offering her a rare perspective on both the beginning and end of life. Today, she has found her place somewhere in between, specializing in anatomy and bioskills education. In addition to her work in the Bioskills lab at CESI, Katie is a certified Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor and manages CESI’s social media presence. Known for her enthusiasm, quick wit, and dedication to education, she is committed to sharing the vital impact of bioskills facilities and inspiring others through her work.

Jamie Decker, Board Member

Jamie Decker is the founder of Experience Anatomy, a NC-based bioskills lab, and The Experience Anatomy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing whole body donation for education and research. Her passion for anatomy began in high school and led her to train under Dr. Gunther von Hagens to extensively study anatomy, preservation, and dissection at Gubener Plastinate GmbH. With a background in academic lab supervision (EVMS) and teaching (CPCC), Jamie founded Experience Anatomy in 2016 to make high-quality, authentic-specimen training more accessible across medical, military, and academic sectors. Jamie is deeply committed to shaping the future of regulatory oversight in the anatomical education and tissue donation industries. Her work continues to drive innovation, integrity, and standardization in a rapidly evolving field.

Meghan Padgett, Board Member

Meghan Padgett is the Surgical Skills Lab Supervisor and Tissue Specialist at Advent Health Nicholson Center, specializing in improving patient care through education and innovation. With just over 20 years of clinical skills and animal welfare experience, Meghan brings her diligence and curiosity to the world of Bioskills. 
Since breaking into the field of medical research, Meghan is driven by a passion for scientific discovery and a commitment to improving healthcare outcomes. She continues to support causes close to her heart by serving on several non-profit fundraising committees focused on wildlife conservation, public outreach, and community education. Meghan is focused on improving the standards and effectiveness of bioskills labs while also inspiring future generations of bioskills professionals, making her a powerful force for positive change in the industry. 

Patricia Cichlar, Board Member

Pat Cichlar Alexander, R.N. began her career as a Clinician in Orthopaedic Surgery at Evanston Hospital.  She later transitioned into the medical device industry, serving as a Distributor for Smith & Nephew Dyonics, specializing in Arthroscopic equipment and briefly worked with Mitek.  Following her move to Chicago, she became the Executive Director of the Orthopaedic Learning Center (OLC), a position she held for 22 years.  During her tenure, she played a key role in the development of the newest OLC facility.
Pat is also one of the three co-founders of ABLE, established 16 years ago, and currently serves as its Executive Director. In addition to her leadership at ABLE,  she has consulted on the development of several other surgical training laboratories.

Terence McIff, Board Member

Terence is Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Kansas Medical Center where he holds the Neff/Wiebe Endowed Chair for Orthopedic Biomechanics. He directs the KU Orthopedic Research and Education Center. He has his PhD in bioengineering from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow Scotland. His PhD research was performed at the AO Research Center in Davos, Switzerland where he also worked as head of the mechanical testing section. He received an MBA from Yale University. Terence conducts bioskills and research training for the KU orthopedic residency program. His center also provides bioskills training resources for various internal and external surgical groups. He teaches and works with students from a wide range of disciplines including Physical Therapy, Occupational Health, Medicine, Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering. His research is broadly focused with areas of work including infection, drug delivery, implant design and development, biomaterials, and spine biomechanics. Terence is a member of several professional societies including AAOS, ORS, ASME, and SFB where he serves on various committees. He is also a long-time reviewer for the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Kelley Bennett, Past President

Kelley is the Director of Clinical Partnership and Training& Education at GCMI. GCMI is a non-profit organization that accelerates the development of innovative medical products that improve quality based outcomes and delivery of healthcare for patients, through design & development, testing & training, and full life cycle product support. Kelley has 25+ years of experience in healthcare, research, and Bioskills. Experience includes 8 years at GCMI, 11 years in human transplant operations, 9 years as a surgical technologist and surgical first assistant, and 2 years in forensic science. Kelley holds a BS in Human Services Management (BSHS), a Diploma in Surgical Technology (CST), and a Certificate in tissue banking (CTBS) from AATB since 1996. She has been a member of ABLE since 2014 and serving on the ABLE board of directors since 2018.