Dr. James Q. Simmons, DNP, MSN, RN, BJMC, AGACNP-BC
Dr. James Q. Simmons (he/him/his) is a Board-Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, CEO and Founder of Simmons Medical & Media Consulting, and a highly sought-after medical expert recognized for making complex health topics accessible and engaging for diverse audiences. With appearances on NBC, FOX, CBS, ABC, KTLA, Yahoo! Finance, Sirius XM, Loveline, DASH Radio, top-tier podcasts, and strategic partnerships with leading social media influencers, Dr. James is one of the most dynamic and influential voices in the healthcare media conversation today. He is also the creator of a thriving online community where followers connect with him directly on social media @DrJamesQSimmons.
A prolific and in-demand speaker, Dr. James captivates audiences at conferences, retreats, and industry events with his impactful presentations on healthcare for the lay public, challenges and opportunities in nursing, wellness, burnout, mental health, professional development, technology & innovation, Black Health, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. Known for his gift of simplifying complex health information into practical, actionable insights, Dr. James empowers both professional audiences and community groups alike. His expertise, charisma, and dedication make him a trusted and influential voice in the healthcare space, bridging the gap between medical knowledge and everyday understanding with energy and authenticity.
Dr. Haig Aintablian, MD
Haig Aintablian is a board certified emergency physician, flight surgeon, and director of the UCLA Space Medicine Program. He started college at 15 years old, and obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences, Summa Cum Laude, and his Master of Science in Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry from the University of Southern California at 21 years of age. He obtained his Medical Doctor (MD) from the University of Arizona, completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at UCLA, and founded and completed the nation’s first emergency medicine based Space Medicine Fellowship training pathway at UCLA.
Haig has had over 40 research publications and presentations ranging from the mechanisms of viral replication to astronaut associated pathologies. Some of his findings are referenced in medical and genetics textbooks, including his most notable research on ACAD-9 deficiency, one of the rarest pathologies in medicine. Haig has had research endeavors with NASA’s Johnson Space Center, served on multiple editorial boards for peer-reviewed publications, the University of Arizona College of Medicine Admissions Committee, and as President of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine RSA. He has coordinated a multi-specialty lobbying campaign in Washington DC, spoken at various conferences on physician leadership, founded The Differential Diagnosis Newsletter, and became an ambassador for the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM).
In 2020, he was awarded the national “Resident of the Year” award by the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. He recently travelled to Artsakh in Armenia to do combat medicine for soldiers in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, after which he received an award from the Armed Forces of Armenia. He has had multiple media appearances including on Los Angeles area news networks like KTLA, CBS, FOX, and KCAL, has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, BBC World News, and The New York Times, and produced articles for NPR, Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN on a variety of topics.
Dr. Kathleen Thimsen, DNP, WOCN/CETN, FNS, AFN-BC
Since joining UNLV School of Nursing in 2020, Dr. Kathleen Thimsen served as the co-director of the UNLV Community Clinic and previously served as the director of the doctorate in nursing practice program. She has delivered many presentations and has multiple publications along with a record of external funding primarily in areas related to education, forensic nursing, wound care, and community health.
Taylor Morgan
Taylor Morgan is the Suicide Prevention Training and Outreach Facilitator for the State of Nevada, serving the northern counties under the Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral Health. With a 19-year career in the non-profit sector prior to this role, Taylor is passionate about working with others to prevent suicide across all populations in the state of Nevada. A proud graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, he is deeply committed to empowering communities and individuals to contribute to this vital cause.
Taylor is a certified instructor in safeTALK, ASIST, Youth Mental Health First Aid, and Adult Mental Health First Aid. In 2022, he was honored to be named the National Instructor of the Year for Mental Health First Aid by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Actively involved in his community, Taylor also works as a professional sports announcer, lending his voice to both NCAA collegiate athletics and professional baseball.
