MEET THE SPEAKERS

Doris Brosnan, JD
Attorney | von Briesen
Doris Brosnan is a Shareholder in the firm’s Labor and Employment Law Section, and focuses on assisting clients with employment issues. Doris regularly advises health care and corporate clients on dealing with disloyal or difficult employees, accommodating disabilities in the workplace, harassment, workplace violence, FMLA, and the development of effective employment policies and practices. She regularly assists clients in preparing and implementing employee transition plans, including employment due diligence in mergers and acquisitions, severance agreements, business closings and reductions-in-force, and business reorganizations. Doris defends employers in all types of employment-related litigation, including agency discrimination and wage claims, arbitrations, and multiparty employment litigation before federal and state courts. Doris also assists clients in achieving employment objectives by providing immigration services, with an emphasis on business immigration, including non-immigrant visas such as the H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and immigrant visas (permanent residence) through employment means such as outstanding researcher, extraordinary ability, and the PERM labor certification process. Doris also counsels companies on developing, maintaining, and defending immigration compliance programs. Finally, Doris advises hospitals and health care systems on a wide range of medical staff questions, including credentialing, terminations and suspensions of medical staff privileges, peer review issues, and required reporting. When medical staff disputes arise, Doris assists clients in litigation and fair hearings.

Andrew Engel, JD
Lobbyist | Hamilton Consulting
ANDY ENGEL has been with Hamilton Consulting for 14 years, representing a variety of nationally recognized clients including 3M, American Red Cross, Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Anheuser-Busch, Delta Dental, Harley-Davidson, McCain Foods, Walmart, and Xcel Energy. Prior to joining Hamilton, Andy worked in Wisconsin politics for twelve years, both inside the Wisconsin Capitol as well as directing political organizations and campaigns throughout the state. Andy has been a part-owner of Hamilton Consulting since 2015. Andy’s last job in the Capitol was as the Chief of Staff to then-Senate Majority Leader Judy Robson, where he oversaw Senate strategy in matters that included the state budget, major policy initiatives, internal and external messaging with the press and lobby corps, as well as caucus politics. Andy also worked as a Policy Analyst at the Senate Office of Budget and Policy, and as a Legislative Aide to State Senator Kim Plache. View full bio.

Carmel Galster, RN, BSN
Administrator | Wausau Surgery Center
Carmel Galster is an experienced Registered Nurse who has been working in the role as the Administrator of the Wausau Surgery Center since 2017. In her role she is responsible for all ASC operations and is passionate about providing high quality, safe care to the communities she serves. Wausau Surgery Center is a multi-specialty surgical center that focuses on the specialties of plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and ENT. The innovative center performs complex procedures such as joint replacements and many of these patients go home the same day. Wausau Surgery center has gone through several ownership models and currently is 100% physician owned and Medicare certified. Prior to working at WSC Carmel worked for Marshfield Clinic as their Wausau ASC manager and ASC System Infection Prevention Coordinator. Prior to this she worked as the Director of Surgical Services at the first all-digital hospital in Weston Wisconsin, Saint Clare’s Hospital.

Rita J. Keating RN, BSN, MA HIIM, CASC
Consultant | Valley Surgery Center
Director of Surgical Operations for Associated Provider Partners since 2009. Ophthalmology group that expanded to multi- specialty in 2022 with new build of Valley Surgery Center in partnership with Hudson Physicians. Completed AAAHC accreditation in July 2023 and are waiting for CMS to approve and issue Medicare number. Plan is to start doing surgery beginning in September 2023 when process complete. Ran Ophthalmology Surgery Center in Stillwater, MN since 2009 and was Project Manager for Valley Surgery Center build starting in January 2022.

Danielle Leòn
Account Executive | Red Shoes, Inc
Danielle Léon joined Red Shoes Inc. in February 2016. In her role, Danielle leads and provides support to the client teams including conducting research, writing and editing. Danielle is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations.

Maria Nelson
Vice President | Red Shoes, Inc
Maria Nelson has extensive experience in media relations, crisis communication and internal communication. An employee of Red Shoes Inc. since 2009 and a public relations practitioner for nearly two decades, Maria specializes in strategic communications and excels in complex projects and creating detailed plans with spot-on messaging. Maria has a passion for crisis communications and is able to anticipate and plan for the multifaceted impact a crisis has on an organization. A graduate from Marquette University, Maria quickly gets to the heart of an issue and provides sound counsel to her clients. 

Kara Newbury
Director, Government Affairs & Regulatory Counsel| Ambulatory Surgery Center Association
Kara Marshall Newbury serves as regulatory counsel and director, government affairs for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA). Prior to this role, Kara coordinated state legislative and regulatory affairs for the association. Before joining ASCA, Kara served as the assistant director, state government affairs for the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations and staff attorney and director of government relations for the Community Financial Services Association. Kara received her undergraduate and law degree from The Ohio State University.