2026 Annual Conference -  Speakers

In August 2025, Dr. Shereef Elnahal became OHSU's sixth president, bringing extensive experience leading large health systems. He previously served as Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, overseeing the nation's largest integrated health network and working with nearly 400,000 professionals to care for 9 million enrolled veterans. 

Earlier in his career, Dr. Elnahal served as President and CEO of University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, and as New Jersey's 21st Health Commissioner. During an earlier tenure at the VA, he co-founded the VHA Innovation Ecosystem, which spreads innovations across veteran care. He holds an M.D. from Harvard Medical School and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and was appointed by President Obama to the 2015-16 class of White House Fellows.

Twenty years ago, a leukemia diagnosis changed the course of Rob Shick's life. Today he shares a story of survival, gratitude, and purpose made possible through groundbreaking cancer research. His keynote reflects on how treatment has advanced over the years, on the countless life experiences those advances have given him, and on what it means to invest in lifesaving discovery.

Rob is a Managing Director at Baird and has been in wealth management since 1985. Outside his practice, he has spent much of his career supporting the research community that treated him. He is a past chairman and current member of the Knight Cancer Institute Council, raising funds and awareness for cancer research in support of Dr. Brian Druker, and he served 12 years on the OHSU board and four years on its executive committee. He has been instrumental in raising millions of dollars for cancer research, and he received the National Community Service Award from the Invest in Others Foundation in 2015 and was recognized as AFP Outstanding Fundraiser Volunteer in 2010.