Featured Keynote Speakers

Dr. L.J. Punch

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Dr. Punch loves to heal. Educated in medicine at the University of Connecticut and trained in surgery at the University of Maryland and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, this desire to heal has brought to life a career with a three-fold focus: education, violence, and equity. Through community engagement in St. Louis, Dr. Punch carries this mission forward each day, bridging the gap between the resources inside health care and the voices of the people. This includes a campaign to bring the national “Stop the Bleed” campaign to members of the St. Louis community at risk for violence and serious injury. This also includes the creation of “The T”, a community “Trauma Center” which focuses on harm reduction as a mechanism for primary prevention. Looking to advance the knowledge and bravery of learners of all levels in the management of violence and injury, both in and out of the hospital, Dr. Punch works diligently to serve medical professionals, patients, families, and communities in their shared journey toward healing.

Dr. Joi Lewis

dr joi lewis

Dr. Joi Lewis is a visionary community healer and facilitator of Healing Justice and Black Liberation. She is a speaker, author, scholar and founder of two organizations Joi Unlimited, where she is CEO, and The Healing Justice Foundation, where she is the President. Dr. Joi helps individuals, institutions, and communities heal from oppression-induced historic and present-day trauma, using Healing Justice as an on-ramp to reclaim our own humanity and each other’s. Dr. Joi’s book, Healing: The Act of Radical Self-Care, educates individuals on the framework of the Orange Method of Healing Justice. Through coaching certification, courses, and training, Dr. Joi offers support to interrupt historic cycles of oppression using both radical self-care and community care. She spent 20+ years in higher education leadership as a Dean, Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer and faculty member. While she resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, her work is deeply informed by growing up in East St. Louis, Illinois. She’s an unapologetic joy instigator, radical self-care evangelist, and food prep pro. She’s on a mission to put healing in the hands of anyone anywhere. She offers this meditation to all who believe in liberation: May The Revolution Be Healing!