Meet Our Hope Beyond Limits Speakers.
Panelists + Moderators

Kristine McGuire

Suzanne Schlicht

Torie Mugo
Victoria also enjoys cooking with her son, volunteering in amputee communities and mentoring new amputees through her founded Sepsis Support Group. She credits her family and friends and various amputee communities for the incredible support that she continues to receive daily.

Rachel Kaplan

Rick Allen

Rob Davidson
He was a registered architect and the former Owner of H+L Architecture located in the LODO district of Denver. In his 34-year career he oversaw the Healthcare Design studio specializing in Hospitals in the 5-state Rocky Mtn. Region.

Daniel Lerman, MD

Bill Tettelbach, MD

Bob Radocy

Rochelle Wright

Kayla Inman

Matthew Iorio, MD

Jeffery Cain, MD

Colby Hansen, MD

Guy Lev, PT, DPT, COMT

Mike Bolland

Lera Doederlein
Lera Doederlein was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. After multiple surgeries and using orthotics, at 14, she chose to undergo a bilateral above-knee amputation to improve mobility and independence.
She then discovered adaptive sports and quickly excelled in sled hockey, joining the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2019. Lera competed in the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing and was awarded the “21st Duck” award by the Anaheim Ducks. In October 2024, she helped the U.S. Women’s Development Team win the Women’s World Challenge championship. Lera is currently studying Psychology in college.

Tracey Howerton, LAc, MAcOM
Tracey Howerton is a Nationally Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist, Oriental Medical Practitioner and founder of Ebb + Flow Acupuncture in Denver, Colorado. After earning a degree from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM) in 2018, Tracey opened her private practice with a passion for helping patients achieve holistic health and wellness. Specializing in recovery from acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries, pain management, stress relief and
optimizing mental health, Tracey combines the ancient healing modalities of Eastern Medicine with modern techniques to create personalized treatments that address both physical and emotional well-being.

Cam Ayala
Cam Ayala was born with a disease called lymphedema which led to multiple episodes of infection, which resulted in an above-knee-amputation in June of 2022. Utilizing his platform after appearing on “The Bachelorette” & “Bachelor in Paradise” Cam has been actively volunteering with nonprofits such as Range Of Motion Project (ROMP), Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Camp No Limits, and Amputee Coalition to advocate for individuals living with limb loss, limb differences, and other mobility challenges. Cam is contracted with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the Central Texas region where he serves as a Product Specialist for multiple companies that provide solutions for our veterans suffering with chronic wounds and chronic pain.
Whenever Cam is not volunteering with these organizations he enjoys attending concerts, serving in prison ministry, and spending as much time as he can with his family and his toy schnauzer, Chaz.

Gini Thomas
Gini Thomas is a social media content creator and ambassador for Integrum and Ottobock. She was injured in a motorcycle wreck in her hometown of Montgomery, AL in 2012, and attempted multiple limb salvage surgeries before opting for above knee amputation in 2015. Struggles with numerous revisions for heterotopic ossification left Gini with a short residual limb, making traditional sockets difficult to fit. Hoping to regain an active lifestyle, she chose osseointegration with the Integrum OPRA implant system. She is now active again and advocating for others in similar situations. Gini enjoys traveling and sharing her story with the hope of educating others.

Joy Giles
Before Joy joined the Art Garage in 2018 she was an art teacher for K-8th grade students in the Denver area for 13 years. She has a BA in Printmaking from The Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. She believes everyone has some kind of creative spark and helping people find theirs
is a passion of hers. She loves working with all ages and ability levels and believes that if anybody wants to create they will find a way to create and she will find a way to help them. Through art, she loves to learn and teach about world cultures, geography, and history. She is very happy to be a part
of the Art Garage family.

Byron Kish
Byron J. Kish, Esq., Senior Director of Disability Benefits Services & Colorado SOAR State Team Lead, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and has over fourteen years of experience in the disability field at both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and as an attorney advocate at the initial level. His experience includes work as an Attorney Adviser for the SSA reviewing Administrative Law Judge decisions and assisting in fraud investigations. He currently serves as the Director of Disability Benefits Services and Colorado SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, & Recovery (SOAR) State Team Lead. In addition to representing clients, he trains and oversees SOAR advocates throughout Colorado, serves as a consulting expert to the national SOAR program and other organizations, and collaborates with the SSA and DDS to ensure a quality and efficient disability adjudication process.

Milissa Hicks
I’m an art therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly 20 years of experience in the Denver area. I work with individuals of all ages, focusing on emotional health and helping people lead balanced, peaceful lives. I believe therapy is key to personal growth and overcoming life’s challenges. While I’m experienced in traditional psychotherapy, I’m passionate about integrating art therapy when it’s beneficial. I earned my master’s in art therapy from NYU in 1995, and have since worked in various medical and mental health settings. In Colorado, I’ve specialized in trauma treatment and worked with children, adults, and families, particularly in schools.

Steven Gitelis, MD
Steven Gitelis, MD, FAAOS, is the Rush Medical College Endowed Professor of OrthSteven Gitelis, MD, FAAOS, is the Rush Medical College Endowed Professor of Orthopedic Oncology and Director of the Rush Musculoskeletal Oncology Program. A leading expert in bone and soft tissue sarcomas, he pioneered treatments and grew Rush’s sarcoma program into one of the largest in the region. He is also the Chief Medical Officer of Onkos, advancing cancer care innovation.
Dr. Gitelis founded Illinois’ first tissue bank and served as its medical director for over 30 years. He’s been president of seven medical organizations, including the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, and has mentored future orthopedic leaders. A veteran of the Persian Gulf War, he provided cancer care and education to military orthopedic residents.

Christina Richardson
Christina Richardson MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, CWON began her nursing career in 2008 and earned her Wound/Ostomy certification in 2015. She holds a Master’s in Nurse Education (2013) and a Master’s in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (2021). Passionate about wound/ostomy care, Christina focuses on healing complex wounds to prevent amputation through evidence-based practices. She has worked in diverse settings, from home care to outpatient clinics, and has provided leadership across multiple states. Christina currently serves as a Nurse Practitioner at the Northfield Hospital & Clinic Wound Center in Minnesota, managing a busy practice and consulting on inpatient and ostomy care.

Michelina de la Maza, MD
Michelina de la Maza is a pediatric hematology oncology physician at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona. She completed her pediatric residency at the University of South Carolina and pediatric hematology oncology fellowship at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She serves as the medical director for the BUMC-T pediatric hematology oncology department. Her clinical interests include solid tumors, specifically sarcomas and rare pediatric cancers, sickle cell anemia and hemoglobinopathies. She lives in Tucson with her husband who is a firefighter/paramedic and their two dogs.

Craig Towler
Craig Towler is a passionate disability rights advocate whose work is deeply rooted in his lived experience. He has dedicated his career to dismantling systemic barriers, amplifying marginalized voices, and addressing discrimination against the disability community.
As the Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Center for People With Disabilities (CPWD), Craig collaborates with diverse community partners to drive impactful policy changes that create lasting equity and inclusion.

Zeke Walton, MD
Zeke Walton, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic oncologist with special interest in hip resurfacing surgery, primary and revision robotic joint replacement surgery and a full spectrum of orthopedic oncology care. With more than a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Walton has built a reputation among patients and peers alike as an excellent communicator and a meticulous, forward-thinking surgeon.

Angelina Martinson
I was born with clubfoot and Tibial hemimelia and spent the first years of my life in a Russian orphanage. After being adopted and coming to the U.S., I underwent an amputation as a toddler. Growing up, I had to navigate a world that wasn’t built for people like me, but I was fortunate to have a family that never treated me as fragile. I was encouraged to be active, independent, and resourceful—values that have shaped how I approach life and my work today.
As I got older, I realized there was a huge gap in accessible information for amputees. I had to learn so much through trial and error—everything from prosthetic maintenance to handling public reactions. I started sharing my experiences online, hoping to make life easier for others facing similar challenges. What began as a way to document my own journey evolved into a platform that empowers adaptive individuals to take control of their lives, whether that’s through fitness, practical tips, or just knowing they’re not alone.
Now, with 30 years of experience as an amputee and a background in prosthetic research and design, I create content that’s both educational and entertaining. My goal is to show that limb loss isn’t the end of an active, fulfilling life—it’s just
Hope Beyond Limits Ambassadors
Our Social Media Ambassadors are digital visionaries committed to building an engaged online
community that enhances awareness of limb loss and limb differences.

Gini Thomas

Cam Ayala

Katie Bondy

Angelina Martinson

Kristine McGuire

Rustin Hughes
