Meet the Experts Guiding You Toward Gut Instincts for Sjogren's
Join us as our renowned hosts and speakers share their knowledge and insights to help you thrive with Sjogren's.
Kara Wada, MD
A board-certified allergist, immunologist, and fellow Sjogren's warrior, Dr. Kara blends evidence-based medicine with a down-to-earth approach to help you thrive. She's passionate about empowering patients and believes in the power of gut health, laughter, and finding joy in the everyday.
Cristina Montoya, RD
Living with both Sjogren's and RA, Cristina is a registered dietitian dedicated to helping you create a fulfilling life free from restrictive diets. She specializes in gut-healing strategies and making anti-inflammatory living both effective and enjoyable.
Day 1: Understanding Sjogren's & the Gut Connection
Day 1 lays the foundation for your gut-healing journey. Join leading experts as they unravel the science behind Sjogren's, explore its impact on the gut, and empower you with knowledge to navigate your unique path.
Diana Girnita, MD PhD
Rheumatologist
Dr. Diana Girnita is a rheumatologist and telemedicine pioneer who founded Rheumatologist OnCall to enhance access to specialized care for autoimmune diseases. She emphasizes a holistic approach and is an international speaker, author, and educator on autoimmune diseases.
Topic: State of Sjogren's: A Clinician's POV
Sarah Schafer, MD
Biochemist & Nutritional Biologist
Dr. Sarah Schafer is a physician who has lived with Sjogren’s disease for decades. Her own challenging time getting diagnosed and treated inspired her to advocate for other people living with the disease. Her website, Sjogren’s Advocate, provides tools and strategies that people with Sjogren’s can use to advocate for care in a medical system that tends to downplay this serious disease.
Topic: Sjogren's Support Society: The Best and Worst Advice We've Heard (Roundtable Discussion)
Elisa Comer, CPHIMS, CPHIT, CPEHR, CQA
Patient & Advocate
Elisa is a passionate patient advocate, author, speaker, and healthcare quality auditor. She brings her extensive experience in healthcare administration, education, and public speaking to empower others living with chronic illnesses, especially Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Topic: Blind Spot: Hidden Errors in Our Medical Records
Bexi Lobo, PhD
Biochemist & Nutritional Biologist
Bexi (Rebecca) Lobo, PhD is a biochemist and nutritional biologist living with Sjogren’s and dysautonomia who specializes in skin care for people with Sjogren’s. Building on what she learned in graduate school and from personal experience, Bexi makes skincare products from whole foods (e.g., aloe vera juice, ginger, raw honey, goat’s milk, nut and seed oils) to feed your skin from the outside in. Bexi also helps Dr. Sarah Schafer publish her patient advocacy website, Sjogren’s Advocate.
Topic: Nutrition and the Gut-Skin Connection
Susan Masterson, MS,MPH, PhD
Licensed Psychologist
Dr. Susan Masterson is a licensed psychologist with 30 years of experience in mental health treatment, lifestyle improvement, and chronic illness support. She's the author of the website Autoimmune Self-Care, where she provides education and tools for strengthening the mind and body.
Topic: Using the Breath to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve
Day 2: Nourishing Your Gut, Nurturing Your Life
On Day 2, we'll dive into practical solutions. Discover actionable tips, recipes, and techniques from our expert speakers to optimize your digestion, reduce inflammation, and feel your best.
Leslie Laing, BSc., BEd., MSc., PhD., DDS., MSc. (Prosthodontics), FRCD(C)
Prosthodontist-Immunologist
Dr. Leslie Laing is a prosthodontist and dry mouth specialist with expertise in implant and prosthodontic dentistry. She's dedicated to supporting individuals with Sjogren's and dry mouth, and currently serves as President of the Sjogren's Society of Canada.
Topic: Tips and Tricks to Manage Dry Mouth Associated with Sjögren’s Disease
Shaileen Wallani, SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Shaileen is a speech-language pathologist with almost a decade of experience working with adults. Her practice involves an emphasis on swallowing disorders, providing care to patients in various settings, including acute care, home care and continuing care.
Topic: Swallowing in Sjögren's Syndrome and the role of Speech Language Pathology.
Jocelyn Wells, RD
Registered Dietitian
Jocelyn Wells, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian and Head of Partnerships at Kiwi Biosciences (FODZYME). She specializes in gastrointestinal conditions and is passionate about helping patients access evidence-based nutrition information to improve their quality of life.
Topic: Digestive Enzymes: A Dietitian’s Guide to Support Food Freedom
Catina Morrison, RN
Registered Nurse
Catina is a registered nurse with over two decades of experience in nursing, health coaching, and clinical data strategy. As the founder of Inflamed Sisters Thriving Inc., she advocates for autoimmune disease awareness and fosters a supportive community for those living with chronic illnesses.
Topic: A Nurse's Guide to Improving Gut Health with Essential Oils
Julia McNally
Yoga For Arthritis Teacher
Julia is a certified yoga instructor and Yoga for Arthritis teacher living with rheumatoid arthritis. She is dedicated to providing accessible yoga to individuals with arthritis, building a supportive community, and helping her students live well.
Topic: The RA Yogi Tips for Activating the Rest & Digest System for Better Gut Health