HERHealth Conference
Speakers
Michelle J. Auerbach, DO
Dr. Auerbach is a board-certified OB-GYN by the American Board of Osteopathic Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Auerbach currently serves as the chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Dr. Auerbach’s passionate care for women has included healthcare ranging from contraception management, obstetric care, surgical procedures, to managing and caring for perimenopausal and menopausal women. Though Dr. Auerbach has enjoyed caring for women in all stages of life, her practice is now limited to Gynecology with a focus on perimenopausal and menopausal women as well as minimally invasive surgery. She performs both robotic and laparoscopic surgeries.
Brandi Brown, PT, MSPT, ATC
Brandi is a Senior Staff Therapist at SOS at the East Syracuse location. A graduate of Utica College with both a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and a Master of Physical Therapy, she combines high-level clinical education with elite athletic training expertise. Brandi specializes in sports medicine and shoulder rehabilitation, and is a Certified Athletic Trainer.
David Cruz
David Cruz is the Training Director at Elevate Fitness DeWitt, where he has led training programs for the past seven years. With over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, David is a highly skilled and well-rounded fitness professional dedicated to helping individuals achieve their health and performance goals. Throughout his life, David has been actively involved in a wide range of sports, including boxing, wrestling, and football. He has also participated in numerous endurance and obstacle events such as Tough Mudder and Spartan races, and has competed at the professional level in HYROX fitness racing. These experiences have shaped his dynamic and versatile approach to training. David’s passion for health and fitness, and the profound impact it has had on his own life, inspired him to pursue a career in the field. His mission is to enhance the lives and overall well-being of others through effective training, motivation, and education. He received his diploma from the American Academy of Personal Trainers (AAPT) in Boston, MA, and holds multiple respected certifications, including: - ACE (American Council on Exercise) Certified Personal Trainer - Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) - Precision Nutrition Level 1 (PN1) Certified - Cancer Exercise Specialist (Maple Tree Cancer Alliance) - ISCA Certified Kickboxing Trainer - AAPT Strength and Conditioning Coach - Spartan Obstacle Course Training Certifications (2) In addition, David is a longtime LIVE instructor for INSANITY, P90X, and PiYo, leading both personal and group training sessions. David believes that certifications are only part of what makes a great trainer—true success comes from passion and dedication. He takes pride in building strong, trusting relationships with his clients, emphasizing communication, comfort, and collaboration. His upbeat, “can-do” attitude helps create personalized fitness and lifestyle programs designed to meet each individual’s unique needs and goals.
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Kate Flannery
Kathleen K. Flannery, LMSW, is the Executive Director of the Upstate NY Chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association, overseeing programmatic, educational, and development initiatives across the Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo regions. She joined the organization in 2023 after serving as Executive Director of Community Engagement at Syracuse University, where she strengthened partnerships with individuals, organizations, and businesses throughout Central New York. Kate’s career spans leadership roles in mission-driven nonprofits, including Francis House, Susan G. Komen Upstate NY, Vera House, and the Rape Crisis Center of Syracuse. Her experience includes program oversight, community education, fundraising, and advocacy, along with facilitating a major agency merger at Vera House. A LeMoyne College and Syracuse University graduate, she is a New York State Certified Social Worker and the recipient of numerous regional awards. She has also served as an adjunct professor, lecturer, and dedicated community volunteer.
Tania Gardner, PT, DPT, LMT
Tania is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a graduate of Upstate Medical University, specializing in a holistic and movement-based approach to orthopedic and pelvic health. With advanced training from the Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehab Institute, she provides expert care for pelvic floor dysfunction. Tania is particularly passionate about supporting patients and treating associated pain and dysfunction with a blend of manual therapy and Pilates-based rehabilitation.
Maria Gigante-Baggett NP
Maria Gigante-Baggett is an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner with 30 years of experience specializing in menopausal health and weight management. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Nurse Practitioner program, she also serves as a national trainer for Nexplanon and a mentor to NP students across Central New York. She currently practices at Crouse Medical and is an adjunct professor Le Moyne College Born in Italy and raised in the U.S., Maria is a proud mom, passionate about fitness, women’s health and helping women lead a stronger healthier life.
Melissa Jacobs
Melissa Jacobs is the founder of Harvesting Sage, LLC, with a deep-rooted passion for health, healing, and overall well-being. Her journey led her to Conscious Connected Breathwork, where she discovered the power of reconnecting with the body as a way to regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and create lasting change. She is a Certified Somatic Healing Coach, Health and Life Coach, Conscious Connected Breathwork Facilitator, Reiki Master, and Emotion Code® Practitioner, as well as a group fitness instructor. Melissa’s work focuses on helping individuals reconnect with their bodies, release tension, and build a more supportive and balanced relationship with themselves.
Laura McManus, RDN, CDN
Laura McManus is a registered dietitian dedicated to helping individuals achieve sustainable health through personalized, evidence-based nutrition therapy. With a patient-first approach, she empowers clients to build confidence, overcome barriers to behavior change, and create meaningful, long-term improvements in their health. With over a decade of clinical experience, Laura specializes in medical nutrition therapy across a wide range of conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, weight management, cardiovascular health, diabetes, food intolerances, neurological conditions, and family-centered nutrition. Her current areas of focus include perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, with an emphasis on hormonal health, metabolic changes, and gut health to support women through midlife transitions. Laura is passionate about translating complex nutrition science into practical, realistic strategies. In addition to clinical counseling, she has led cooking classes and seed-to-table programs for children, promoting lifelong healthy relationships with food. She holds a Master’s Degree in Nutrition Science and Dietetics from Syracuse University. She is licensed in the State of New York and holds a Certificate of Training in Adult and Pediatric Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Mary O'Malley
With over two decades of experience in both education and financial planning, Mary O'Malley is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals through personalized and comprehensive financial strategies. As a Certified Financial Planner® with Prudential and Pruco Securities, Mary leverages her expertise to craft tailored financial plans that address every aspect of her clients' needs—from education and investment planning to estate strategies and risk management. Her planning services cover: - Education Planning - Estate Planning Strategies - Risk Management & Insurance Needs - Investment Planning - Funding for Major Purposes - Current Net Worth & Cash Flow Statements Before transitioning into financial planning, Mary spent a decade as a special education teacher with the Syracuse City School District. Inspired by her desire to help others and following in her father’s footsteps, Mary made a career shift to financial consulting, joining AXA/Equitable before bringing her talents to Prudential in 2020. Mary holds a BA in Elementary and Special Education from SUNY Plattsburgh and a MS in Literacy Education from Syracuse University. Her extensive knowledge and certifications, including FINRA Series 6, 63, 65, and 7, as well as NYS Life Accident and Health licenses, ensure that clients receive the highest level of professional service and advice. When she’s not working with clients to build secure financial futures, Mary enjoys life in Cazenovia, NY, where she lives with her husband, Sean, a pediatrician, and their two children, Owen and Grace.
Rachel Osiecki
Rachel serves as the Project and Program Outreach Coordinator at SUNY Upstate Medical University, where she specializes in community engagement and strategic initiative management. With a background grounded in both institutional research ethics and crisis support, Rachel brings a disciplined and empathetic approach to public health outreach.
Amy Robbins
Amy Robbins is a long-time veteran of the Syracuse radio market, who has been teamed up with Morning Show co-host Ted Long for the last thirty-seven years! She is a 1983 graduate of Camden High School and a 1987 graduate of Ithaca College School of Communications with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Amy is a recipient of the 2016 Media Award from The Salvation Army. She received the 2009 Community Service Award from the CNY Girl Scout Council and was also recognized as one of “The 100 who Inspire Girls to Achieve and Lead” for the Girl Scout Council’s 100th anniversary in 2012. Other recognitions include the 2003 “Pink Hero” award and the 2019 Jill Jorolemon Legacy of Commitment Award from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the 2009 Support of Emergency Services award from Northern Onondaga Volunteer Ambulance, the 2004 and 2006 Media Award from the Syracuse Onondaga Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, the 2010 Post Standard Achievement award, and the 2020 United Way Achievement in Caring award. “Ted and Amy” were recognized for eighteen years by the Syracuse New Times Readers Poll as “Best Local Radio Personalities”. As of 2011, Ted and Amy took over as the “Official Voices of the New York State Fair” and in 2017 became the emcees for the annual St. Patrick’s Parade in Downtown Syracuse. They were inducted into the New York State Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame in 2019. She is also the face behind the very popular “Amy’s Slumber Party” which has happened for the last 22 years. Amy is a fan of cooking, gardening, naps, spending way too much money on bird feeders and her cat Kantishna (named after the region near Mount Denali in Alaska which is amazing!). She loves but continues to complain about a good workout, basking by wood stove fire with a glass of wine and throwing fabulous dinner parties. She and her husband Mark live in Cicero. They love Finger Lakes Wine Country and hit their goal of trying to visit all fifty states by the year 2020 just before the pandemic hit.
Sarah Schoch, MD
Dr. Schoch was born and raised in Southern California. She completed her Bachelors of Arts and Bachelors of Science at University of California, Irvine. She received her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She moved to CNY to complete her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at SUNY Upstate and has been practicing in the Syracuse area since. Dr. Schoch is board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Her interests include high risk obstetrics, contraception management, cervical dysplasia, vulvar disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction and sexual dysfunction.