Speakers
HALO partners with a variety of life-affirming speakers who are willing to present on a number of different topics. If you are interested in featuring one of our speakers at your event, please e-mail feedback@halovoice.org or call 1-888-221-4256, ext.1.
Joseph M. Eble, MD, is the president of the Tulsa Guild of the Catholic Medical Association and a managing partner of Fidelis Radiology. Subjects about which he is passionate include brain death, adoption, and building bridges between persons of different ethnicity. His publications include “Brain Death: What Catholics Need to Know” and his most recent interview on the topic of brain death was with Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa on EWTN Live. He may be reached at eblej@yahoo.com.
Karl Benzio, MD, a board certified Christian psychiatrist, has held several health system clinical and leadership positions. Dr. Karl’s unique practice implements a faith-informed, Jesus-centered application of cutting edge psychiatric science to not only successfully treat patients but also consult, teach, write, and serve as a frequent media guest expert and conference speaker addressing a wide range of Behavioral Health and social policy issues that impact individuals, families, and society.
Emily Cook is a licensed attorney and currently serves as the General Counsel for Texas Right to Life. Emily has worked numerous legislative sessions advising on Pro-Life and free speech policies. Emily also leads Texas Right to Life’s Patient Advocacy efforts where she routinely helps families whose loved ones are being denied life-sustaining treatment. Emily earned her J.D. at Baylor Law School and her B.A. at Stephen F. Austin State University. Emily speaks about “Texas’ Harmful 10-Day Law.” She and her husband Justus along with their two young sons live in Liberty, Texas.
Dr. Heidi Klessig is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist. She was a founding partner of the Pain Clinic of Northwestern Wisconsin and was an instructor for the International Spinal Injection Society. She has recently coauthored the book Harvesting Organs & Cherishing Life: What Christians Need to Know About Organ Donation and Procurement with Christopher Bogosh RN-BC. Her website respectforhumanlife.com explains the ethics and details of the various types of organ donation.
Julie Grimstad currently is President of the Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization (HALO) Board of Directors. Julie has served the medically vulnerable and their families as a volunteer patient advocate since 1985. A speaker and writer, Julie addresses many aspects of medical decision-making and patient advocacy, as well as euthanasia and assisted suicide. Julie was the editor of and a contributing writer to “Making a Difference: A Guide for Defending the Medically Vulnerable,” a 16-page HALO publication. She has authored numerous articles, brochures, and fact sheets on healthcare issues from a pro-life perspective.
Mary Kellett is the founder and director of Prenatal Partners for Life, a non-profit ministry that offers support, information and encouragement to families that receive an unexpected diagnosis before or after the birth of their child. Prenatal Partners for Life also offers bereavement support to families who lose a child and strives to educate others about the gift of every life. Mary and her husband Don have 11 children, the youngest was Peter who had trisomy 18 and went home to heaven in August 2011.Topics Include The Blessing of a Child with Special Needs, Futility of Care Policies, Stealth Euthanasia of Children with Special Needs, Discriminatory Policies of Children with Special Needs, Prenatal Testing and Abortion of Children with Special Needs.
Nancy Valko has been a registered nurse since 1969 and is currently a spokesperson for the National Association of Prolife Nurses (www.nursesforlife.org). She has also been a past President of Missouri Nurses for Life and past co-chair of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Respect Life Committee. She has served on medical and nursing ethics committees and spoken around the country on medical ethics issues. Nancy is a former board member of the Saint Louis Down Syndrome Association and is still active in the field of disability advocacy. She has volunteered for children with disabilities, people with severe brain injuries, and bereaved parents. Nancy has spoken on every pro-life topic from contraception to abortion to euthanasia to brain death from a practical and medical ethics point of view.
Anne O’Meara is the Executive Director at the Healthcare Advocacy and Leadership Organization (HALO) and a Helpline patient advocate. Prior to joining HALO, Anne worked in the business world for over 20 years consulting on employee benefits and working as a human resources manager. Anne earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College, Dubuque, IA, with a major in English and minor in Business. Anne volunteers as a sidewalk counsellor at a local abortion clinic and is active in her local church.