Jul 20, 2026 – Jul 21, 2026
Center for Surgical Innovation, University of CO Anschutz Medical Campus
2115 N. Scranton St., Suite 1035
Aurora, CO 80045
Registration is closed.
Training for new and advanced bioskills personnel will be held on Wednesday, July 22nd during the annual meeting. More information on agenda and pricing will be coming or text info@ablebioskills.com to ask any questions for now. There will be bundling pricing for attending the symposium and the training for your Certification of Completion and if interested please send an email to info@ablebioskills.com or call Pat at 847-894-3296. Basic Training information is under the Symposium Agenda.
Courtney Anderson is the Sr. Manager of Biosimulation and Laboratory Operations at Resolution Medical, where she leads the development and execution of advanced biosimulation programs supporting medical device innovation. With a multidisciplinary background spanning animal science, veterinary technology, surgical support, immunology, and preclinical research, Courtney brings a unique perspective to translational science and biosimulation. She has extensive experience building and scaling lab operations, optimizing processes, and leading cross-functional teams. Courtney is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys spending time on the lake boating and fishing, as well as chasing her toddler and experiencing the world through his eyes.
Joss Fernandez, MD, FACS, is a cardiothoracic and vascular surgery specialist in Columbia, MO. He brings over 21 years of medical expertise. A graduate of the University of Virginia, he completed his surgery training at Vanderbilt University and cardiothoracic surgery training at the University of Iowa in 2011. Board certified in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, as well as endovascular therapies, Dr. Fernandez is the innovative inventor, founder and Chief Medical Officer of MaxFi Surgical Simulations.
Ms. Christina Strong is a health law partner at the law firm Dilworth Paxson, LLP, with offices in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. She is often engaged in issues surrounding organ, eye and tissue donation for transplant, education and research and has been closely involved in state and national law and policy development concerning anatomical donation and transplant. She was closely involved in the 2006 revision of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, as well as numerous other legislative and regulatory initiatives to save and enhance lives through "the gift of oneself". She is particularly interested in assisting anatomical donation, education and research organizations including nontransplant anatomic banks as they help to shape ethical public policy surrounding the altruistic gift of human bodies. A frequent speaker on legal and policy topics nationally, Ms. Strong endeavors to stimulate civil discussion on topics at the intersection of law, health care and bioethics. She has also taught at Rutgers University School of Law-Newark, as an Adjunct Professor in Health Law.
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 is a skilled medical professional with over 30 years’ experience within the industry. Robin currently leads the Genesis Legacy Whole-Body Donation Foundation, as the Genesis Manager, for the Medical Education Research Institute (MERI). She has held various leadership positions at the MERI, a nonprofit medical teaching institution/bioskills facility, since her start in 2003 after ten years’ service within orthopedic surgery. Robin is committed to her profession and maintaining the highest levels of ethical responsibility within the non-transplant anatomical donation industry for medical education and research.
Robin was born in Memphis, TN and raised in DeSoto County, MS, where she graduated from Horn Lake High School. 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) and CQA (Certified Quality Auditor) certified through the American Society of Quality (ASQ). Robin is a professional member of many societies and involved in various community-based volunteer programs. Robin is a proud mom to beautiful twin daughters and is blessed with three gorgeous grandchildren in her life. Robin loves her family, her community and helping those around her. Two rescue cats (Zoie and Cap) are lucky to have claimed Robin’s place as their own.
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.
Alexandra Hay is the CSI Lab Manager for the University of Colorado’s Center for Surgical Innovation. She received a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University in Florida and moved to Colorado shortly after. She has been working in the bioskills industry since 2016. She focuses most of her attention on handling the financial aspects of the CSI lab as well as overseeing the operations and the CSI team. Alexandra is a proud wife and mother of a 2.5-year-old daughter. She enjoys hiking, traveling the world with her family and enjoying a good thrift store hunt.
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.
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.
James Reppart is the Donor Program Director for the Experience Anatomy Foundation, where he partners with families, healthcare professionals, funeral providers, coroners, and medical educators to facilitate ethical whole-body donation for medical education, surgical training, and research. A licensed funeral director for more than 30 years, James brings a perspective shaped by decades of serving families during some of life's most difficult moments. His experience in funeral service, pastoral ministry, and anatomical donation has allowed him to help thousands of families navigate end-of-life decisions with compassion, clarity, and respect. Over the past several years, he has worked directly with more than 1,000 families considering or completing the whole-body donation process. A frequent speaker for funeral directors, hospice organizations, coroners, healthcare professionals, and anatomical donation programs, James presents on ethics, donor family communication, regulatory issues, and best practices in whole-body donation. His presentations emphasize that behind every donor is a person, a family, and a story; and that honoring those stories is essential to advancing medicine with integrity. James believes that every donor has a story, and every story has the power to shape the future of medicine. He is passionate about helping families create lasting legacies while ensuring every donor is treated with dignity, gratitude, and purpose.