TEDxRushU
A Platform for the Brightest Minds to Converge and Inspire
February 10, 2022
6-8PM
ABOUT US
TEDxRushU will provide a platform for the brightest minds to converge and inspire. We are committed to creating an event where participants are challenged to communicate their passions in an exciting and engaging dialogue. Speakers will present their forward-thinking ideas and all participants will leave the conference inspired and empowered to create positive change.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxRushU, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxRushU event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.
TED is an annual event where innovative, interesting, and motivated individuals are invited to share their insights and passions. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are collectively shaping our future. Attendees have called it “the ultimate brain spa” and a “journey into the future.” Ted events draw a wide array of speakers along with diverse audiences. Notable TED speakers include Bill Clinton, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Paul Simon, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck, and Bono.
The postings on this site are our own and do not necessarily represent Rush’s positions, strategies or opinions.
TEDxRushU 2022
Spring 2022
Minor Setback / Major Comeback
How Our Obstacles Inspire Resilience to Build a Better Tomorrow
Join us on a virtual platform to stream the live event!
#TEDxRushU #MinorSetbackMajorComeback
Speaker Information:
TEDxRushU 2022
Minor Setback / Major Comeback
Susan Torres
Changing Your Intergenerational Story
Susan Torres is a native New Yorker, mother, teacher, mentor, and author. Her tenacious spirit and determination has inspired her to share her story of breaking free from the toxic family cycle that she was born into. Susan was featured in the New York Times, termed “Single Mother, Creator of Miracles” by Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Mike Winerip. She is the recipient of several Professional Toastmaster Annual Club Awards and the author of Living on Three Spoons, a chronicle of the lessons she learned and applied to inspire her life and her four children as a single parent.
Throughout her career, Susan has taught and mentored children in New York City, New Jersey, Chicago, the United Arab Emirates, and New Delhi, India. She has dedicated her life to empowering youth, providing academic support to inner city children and homeless families, and mentoring parents caught in the crux of parenthood and life. Her vision is to teach women and youth that overcoming hardships is the difference between their fate and their destiny.
Geoffrey Mount Varner
27 Different Emotions and the One You MUST Master
Your pain is your gold - your truth finder. It is your superpower. Geoffrey Mount Varner is an ER doctor who has practiced and led in trauma settings and healing environments for over 25 years. In his many years of treating patients in critical life and death situations he has learned this to be true: “pain or setbacks will happen to us all. In fact, they are required lessons for a successful life.” Additionally, he understands that “managing this one emotion allows your ‘setback’ to become your shield.” The setup for your comeback. In his talks, he shares how you can learn to never fail.
In addition to his work as an ER physician, Dr. Geoffrey, is a multi-bestselling author, executive and a split-second decisions expert. His executive leadership includes international crisis work on Ebola, Hurricane Katrina, Chief of a large urban Level One trauma center, and working on the frontlines of Covid- 19 both in hospitals with COVID patients and serving on several governmental committees. Dr. Geoffrey, holds degrees and medical training from Harvard, Hampton, Wayne State, George Washington, University of Maryland – Shock Trauma, and John’s Hopkins Universities. He is the author of the bestsellers, Training Your Mind for Split-second Decisions (2020), and Home Alive: 11 Steps for Surviving Police Encounters (2017 and 2019).
Diandra Gordon
From a Dream Deterred to a Dream Deferred: Having the H.E.A.R.T. to Succeed
Diandra R. Gordon, Ph.D., J.D., is a visionary, advocate, creative and servant-leader from Columbus, Ohio, who believes in the power of centering humanity to achieve equity. Through her propriety, H.E.A.R.T.™ Framework, Dr. Gordon helps leaders and organizations bridge the gap between dreams and reality through cultural change, merging research, policy, and people. Her ultimate goal is to create sustainable change and inform policy to build an equitable society for people of color.
La Toya Jackson
The Entrepreneur Journey: The Comeback is Greater Than The Setbacks
La Toya Jackson, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from The Ohio State University in 2004 with a BS in Business Administration and a concentration in Marketing. With her marketing experience, she brings 16 years of business-to-business sales with Fortune 500 companies such as Philip Morris and Michelin Tire Company. In addition, her experience in the real estate industry included $1,400,000 in real estate sales. After relocating to Chicago, La Toya began to invest in real estate to include Fix and Flips, Rentals, Mixed-Use Commercial, Wholesale deals and Airbnb.
It was at this time that she realized the need to secure funding. This journey then led to the emergence of Excel Capital Group. La Toya is the founder and CEO of Excel Capital Group which provides business credit and funding solutions for entrepreneurs looking for capital to start, grow and scale their business.
Erica Battle
Own Your Story: How Disappointments and Rejection Help Fuel Your Success
Erica Battle is a thought partner to leaders in education offering strategies of impact propelling communities forward. The author of Who Are You? A Guide to Help Adolescents Navigate Through the Social and Emotional Issues of Life, she understands that the growth of schools, communities, cities, and nations begins with one person that becomes radically aware of who they are. She is a conversational, witty, and gritty leader who transforms big picture problems into solution focused action items for implementation in the real world.
Erica understands that the challenges that schools face are both unique and yet familiar and she pushes educators to examine their own bias and stereotypes that may be stifling positive outcomes. She utilizes discussions of equity, trauma informed practices and academic data chats to build a blueprint for sustainable success. A featured speaker both nationally and internationally, Erica encourages all to make bold moves by evaluating the now while acting to impact their next.
Ashley Bryant
Gains in Loss
With over a decade of experience working as a psychotherapist, Dr. Ashley Bryant has worked with several individuals to help them navigate grief, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Dr. Bryant has also served many years as a rehabilitation counselor where she worked with individuals with disabilities to help them identify and eliminate employment barriers. Dr. Bryant now uses her experience in mental health and disability services to help organizations promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Mental Wellness in the workplace. Through keynote speaking and consulting, Dr. Bryant facilitates transformative experiences for leaders and organizations seeking to make sustainable impact. Dr. Bryant has been featured nationally on TLC’s My 600lb Life, NPR, Black New Channel, and on many local news stations across the country. Dr. Bryant is an HBCU Alum who received a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Langston University in Langston, OK. She is also a proud graduate of Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!) where she received a Doctor of Philosophy in Workforce and Adult Education. Dr. Bryant is married to her wonderful husband, BJ, and is the dog mom to one fur baby named Tulip.
Constantine Kanakis
An MD with MD
Constantine Kanakis is a Chicago native and a resident physician at Loyola University Medical Center's Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. He is Rush University Graduate College of Health Sciences alum and a board-certified medical laboratory scientist; he is a published writer, patient advocate, and physician-scientist. With a career focus on hematopathology, transfusion medicine, and public health/equity, he has received recognition internationally for his efforts to combat Zika virus in the Caribbean and for being an early voice for accurate, equitable, and reliable COVID-19 testing in the US. From the American Society for Clinical Pathology, he is a 2017 Top 40 Under Forty Award, was named to the 2020 Global Pathologist Power-List, and sits on several committees with ASCP including the Commission for Continuing Education, the Social Media Committee, and Patient Champions Committee. His other committee appointments include the American Association of Blood Banks Education and Accreditation Committee and the Greater Chicagoland Area American Red Cross Auxiliary Board. A TEDx alum, he delivered a 2019 talk about the incredible changes to medical education and practice called "Unrecognizable Medicine."
As an experienced public speaker, patient advocate, and laboratory medicine educator, Dr. Kanakis hopes to break down interdisciplinary barriers in medicine, crush stereotypes, and re-normalize compassion in new ways. From the bench to the bedside, laboratory medicine provides a unique perspective on communication, education, and what it really means to be an advocate. Follow him on social media at @CEKanakisMD
COMMITTEE
Get to know the awesome group of students that work together to make the TEDxRushU events a reality!
Mitch Cooper
Advisor
Mitch graduated from the Rush University Master of Health Systems Management program in 2019 and is currently employed in the Rush University Cancer Center. He continues to remain involved in the HSM department through the work surrounding the TEDxRushU annual event. Mitch is looking forward to the TEDx event this year and is excited to learn from the amazing speakers we have lined up.
Michelle Murphy
Advisor
Originally from New York City, the idea of inspiring change began for Michelle in education, where she taught before moving to Chicago. She continues to mentor students in her free time, still believing in that mission. She is looking forward to the TEDx event and hopes it’s a positive learning experience for those that attend.
Andrew Garman
Co-founder
Through my work supporting TEDxRushU, I hope to help build community across Rush's extended family to celebrate the life, vision and values of Mayur Patel. He was a cherished colleague taken from us far too young, but his passing reminds me regularly just how precious each day and each friend is.
SPONSORS
Thank you to our amazing sponsors for making this event possible!
Rush University:
Office of Student Life & Engagement
Hindsight 20/20
March 11, 2021
Virtual Event (Zoom)
Serita Love -
The Success of Trauma: How Challenges Makes Champions
Dr. Toya Webb -
Dismantling Microaggressions Through the Power of Connection
Christopher “CJ” Gross --
What's Your Zip Code Story? Understanding Class Bias
Kristen Evans
Closing The Wellness Gap: What 80 Years of Black Women Taught Me About Generational Wellness
Tahaji Felder
Edward G. Young III
Turning Privilege Into Purpose
Brittany Sherell
Visionary Leadership: How to Leverage Disruption to Develop Leaders
Tooka Zokaie
Elephant in the Dark: Preparing for the Next Pandemic with Population Health
Reimagine
October 24, 2019
Malcolm X College Auditorium
Steven Rothschild, MD - Professor & Chair, Department of Family Medicine
Shikha Jain, MD, FACP - Physician, Speaker, Writer, Director of Media Cancer Center
Ashley Kirkwood - Lawyer, Speaker, & Diversity Trainer
Feelings Over Figures: Why We Need to Reimagine the Diversity Conversation
Antesa Jensen - Speaker & Transformational Teacher
The Body's Language & its Undeniable Impact
Seena Jacob - Non-Profit Founder & CEO
Can Cinderella Heal Children of Trauma?
Leah Goodman, OTD, OTR/L - Visiting Clinical Instructor, Occupational Therapist, & Yoga Instructor
Reimagining, Redefining, & Rebuilding Higher Education
Terrance McMahon - Author & Business Strategist
Broken to Beautiful: An Algorithm to Recreate Yourself
Performance by: InterChorus a Cappella
Event Organizers: Advisors: Allison Parker, Jack VanOverloop, Michelle Murphy
Seize the Future
April 30, 2016
Searle Conference Center
Rush Professional Building, 5th floor
1725 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, Illinois
Brian Cole, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush
Sparing the Scalpel: A Surgeon’s Perspective on the Future of Orthopedic Medicine
Robert Colangelo - Founding Farmer/CEO of Green Sense Farms
The Future of Farming: Making Nature Better!
George Fitchett - Director of Research in the Department of Religion, Health, and Human Values, Rush University Medical Center
Jacob Goldsmith, PhD - Associate Clinical Director of the Epstein Center for the Study of Psychotherapy Change, at The Family Institute at Northwestern University
Embracing Pluralism: The Future of Relationships
Tom Bassett-Dilley - AIA, CPHC
Beyond Passive House: The Nature Connection
Roy Smythe, MD - Chief Medical Officer for Valence Health
Rebecca Goudarzi - Second-year Health Systems Management student
Performing her original songs: "Phoenix", "Her Waltz", "Beware"
Event Organizers: Nicole Powell, Allison Parker, Jack VanOverloop, Amber Smith, Michelle Murphy, Andy Garman
Charting the Unknown
October 25, 2018
Searle Conference Center
Rush Professional Building, 5th floor
1725 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, Illinois
Jimmy Choi
Title of Talk: The Impact of Parkinson's and the Unknown
Steve Brown
Title of Talk: Health Equity: Housing is Health
Jamila Trimuel
Wayne Lerner
Charting the Unknown: Uncertainties in Healthcare
Angela Moss
Creating a Proactive Healthcare System is Not Rocket Science
David Ansell
If You Are Going to Be a Bear, Be a Grizzly
Performance by: Erin Rachelle Duguay
Event Organizers: Angad Ravanam, Mitch Cooper, Aaushi Ghelani, Nick Garland, Michael Rizzo, Sydney Johnson, Gwen Ledford. Advisors: Allison Parker, Jack VanOverloop, Michelle Murphy
Ready for Anything?
April 22, 2017
Malcolm X College Auditorium
Marlon Haywood - Project Manager, Community Engagement,
Rush University Medical Center
Redefining the Urban Male: A Focus on Chicago
Grace Wethor - Actress, Model, High School Student
The Day That Changed My Life Forever
James Conners, MD - Associate Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center
Jeff Mumford - CEO, Mumfurious Movement
Building Your Own Superhero Squad
Susan Swider- Professor, Department of Community, Systems and Mental Health Nursing, Rush University Medical Center
Ready for Anything: Government, Civil Society and Community Engagement
Terry Peterson - Vice President of Corporate and External Affairs,
Rush University Medical Center
Dino Rumoro – Chairman, Emergency Medicine
Rush University Medical Center
How Clinical Analytics Will Resuscitate the Doctor/Patient Relationship
Harold Green – Spoken Word Poet and Artist
Event Organizers: Allison Parker, Jack VanOverloop, Alena Shelton, Mario Cuartas, Hailey Muliner, Michelle Murphy, Andy Garman, Linnea Karlson, Benjamin Wetzker, Aayush Mittal, Jessican Molnar, Alvin Chackungal, Hasan Rashid, Henna Yaqub
We Only Have What We Give
June 5, 2015
Searle Conference Center
Rush Professional Building, 5th floor
1725 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, Illinois
Gregg Steinberg, PhD - Professor of Human Performance at Austin Peay State University
How Adversity is your Superpower
Jenni Rook - MT-BC, LCPC, Neurologic Music Therapist-Fellow
Raj Shah, MD - Associate Professor in Family Medicine and the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center
Nothing About Us Without Us: The Promise of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Jeremy Chapman-Gould - Founder and Executive Director, videoPEACH
Awesome Ways to Use Video with Kids in the Hospital!
Tricia N. Martinez - Founder and CEO of Shift
Empowering 2 Billion People through a Mobile Phone
Fatimah Asghar - Poet, Performer, Educator
We Own All the Language in the World
Event Organizers: Beth Aguila, Kevin Contorno, Nicole Powell, Andrew Garman, Michelle Murphy, Rebecca Goudarzi, Anthony Bernas, Lisa Patel, Christopher Kuo, Juliette Soelberg, Ann Marie Finley
May 17, 2014
Searle Conference Center
Rush Professional Building, 5th floor
1725 W. Harrison St.
Chicago, Illinois
Lori Schneider - International speaker, author, teacher of 20 years, Everest and “Seven Summits” mountaineer, adventurer, and global advocate for those living with neurological disorders and disabilities
Rajiv Nathan - Co-founder of Idea Lemon, helping people master The Art of Awesome, a rapper named Fenetik, sales consultant for marketing firm HelloWorld, and guru of both Seinfeld and WWE trivia.
How to become an expert in vulnerability
Chicago Q Ensemble - String trio committed to innovative collaborations, community engagement, and the work of living composers
Solving Classical Music's Empowerment Problem
{She Crew} - a journaling to performance, empowerment arts program for girls.
Write. Recite. Ignite. Evolve.
Jordan Berg - Co-founder of Questus
For more information please visit:
Event Organizers: Beth Aguila, Kevin Contorno, Andrew Garman, Christopher Kuo, Matthew Perkins, Sabrina Prodhan, Anooja Ragnekar, Juliette Soelberg, Matthew Stern
Seizing A Day: How can we improve life expectancy globally by one day?
October 26, 2012
Rush University Medical Center
The TEDxRushU event was in honor of Mayur Patel, an alumnus of Rush University’s Health Systems Management program, who died unexpectedly in 2011. Mayur was loved and respected by those who had the honor of working with him. His passion for improving the environment and healthcare on a global level serves as the basis for our theme, “Seizing A Day,” and our goal is to have discussions centered around the idea of enhancing life, both through time and experience, to help carry on the passion and spirit of Mayur.
Robert Macauley, MD - Medical Director of Clinical Ethics, Fletcher Allen Health Care & Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Vermont College of Medicine
Suzy Yehl Marta - Founder and President, Rainbows For All Children
Seizing a Hand When the Bough Breaks
Lucian Newman, III, MD - Founder & Chief Medical Officer, ComplyMD
The Joy of Doing What People Say you Can’t
Sarah Elizabeth Ippel - Founder and Executive Director, Academy for Global Citizenship
Creating the Future We Envision through the People who will Lead it
Laura Landy - Trustee, President & CEO, Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
Wrenetha Julion, PhD, RN - Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center
Richard Wallace – Poet
Event Organizers: Matt Anderson, Mary Casey, Renee Durack, Natasa Djukic, Cara Gallagher, Andrew Garman, Rod Hart, Katelyn Hunter, Tricia Johnson, Matthew Stern, Joyce Anne Waini
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Last Updated: October 2019
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