Meet Our 2025 Presenters

Annmarie has 35 years of clinical nutrition experience including the last 27 years working as a renal dietitian, caring for both in-center and home dialysis patients in South Florida. Her career has included experience as a nutrition support dietitian, adjunct professor, dietetic intern preceptor, research coordinator and member of multiple advisory boards and speakers' bureaus. She is currently the Clinical Education Specialist for Pentec Health. 

Anita Conner is a Renal Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. When people receive a diagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease, it is not uncommon to fear dialysis or even death. One of Anita’s great passions is educating people on lifestyle changes that can be made to stabilize their health, delaying or even preventing the need for dialysis. She is also active in helping those with End Stage Renal Disease who are undergoing dialysis treatments as well as those who are kidney transplant recipients. Anita believes in meeting patients where they are without judgement and encouraging open dialogue to put patients at ease while helping them gain a better understanding of kidney disease and how it affects their lives. Education on lifestyle changes focuses our attention on health as an investment for a better future. Ms. Conner has worked for dialysis facilities as well as serving as the local Renal Dietitian for a national healthcare organization. She has been awarded for her passionate work in kidney disease by the New Beginning Kidney Foundation.

Ms. Conner also spent a major part of her career in behavioral and clinical research, involving topics as varied as childhood obesity, HIV prevention and diabetes.

Ms. Conner’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s in Public Health from Emory

University. In addition, she is a certified lifestyle coach for the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Lauren Bendall is an accomplished health and wellness leader with over a decade of experience in corporate wellness, nutrition, and diabetes education. As the Director of Health & Well-Being at Element Health Inc., she oversees nationally recognized wellness programs, leads strategic health initiatives, and coordinates diabetes education programs. With expertise in team leadership, health coaching, and program management, Lauren is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations to achieve optimal well-being. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, embracing family life, and staying active together.

Dr. Carsillo is a clinical nephrologist in Albany, New York and has practiced nephrology since 2004 with New York Nephrology. His Nephrology Fellowship training was completed at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He is an Assistant Professor of Medicine
at Albany Medical College and has been a long-time managing partner for his private practice. He sits on the Medical Advisory Board for Fresenius Medical Care and has a passion for home dialysis. He is the inventor of a medical device and a mentor for
practices engaging in home therapies growth. He sees the importance of cooperation between medicine and industry and has created a successful independent value-based care program with a regional health plan. He is respected in his community as a
business and health care leader and holds an elected seat on the board of directors for a health care plan. His passion for his work, innovation and novel therapeutics are manifest in his speaking engagements.

Patti graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in food and dietetics and is celebrating 33 years as a Registered Dietitian. She started her dietetics career in acute care, long term care, and consulting until she discovered the world of renal. Patti worked as a Renal Dietitian for 15 years for various independent dialysis companies and eventually DaVita where she was the Region Point Dietitian. She is currently a Senior Account Executive for Pentec Health. Patti is married to her husband of 32 years, Henry, and they have 2 grown daughters and 1 grandson. When she isn’t working, she enjoys being outdoors near the water and spending time with her family.

Caitlin is a Pediatric Registered Dietitian with a Master of Science in clinical nutrition and over 10 years of clinical practice experience with a focus on the nutritional management of pediatric and adolescent feeding and eating disorders and weight management. Caitlin is currently working at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and in her private practice, Sprout Pediatric Nutrition. She also serves as the State Policy Representative for The Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 

A graduate of Colorado State University’s coordinated MS/DI program, Nadia is currently celebrating her 20th year as a Registered Dietitian. Nadia started her career in dietetics in the acute care setting before moving into dialysis 12 years ago. Nadia recently stepped into the position of Manager, Nutrition Services for Zone 1 of the North Georgia Region for Fresenius Medical Care after working as a facility dietitian in the Lake Lanier Area. Nadia previously worked for DaVita and was a Region Point Dietitian in the Lumineers Division in Massachusetts. When not at work, you can find Nadia in the stands at school sporting events supporting her two teenage daughters or in her small (but manageable) home garden.