Disclosure Policy

Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine asks all individuals involved in the development and presentation of Accredited Continuing Education activities to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies. This information is disclosed to all activity participants prior to the start of the educational activity. Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has procedures to mitigate all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies. In addition, faculty members are asked to disclose when any unapproved use of pharmaceuticals and devices is being discussed. 

In accordance with the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, all relevant financial relationships that faculty, planners, authors, and anyone who may be in control of content have with ineligible companies have been mitigated.

None of the speakers or planners or anyone in control of content for this accredited continuing educational activity have any relevant financial relationships since the content does not relate to any products or services of an ACCME-defined ineligible company; therefore, there are no relevant financial relationships to disclose or mitigate.

Faculty

Elizabeth Bostic, MBA

Elizabeth (Beth) Bostic is the proud parent and humble servant of King James, a medically complex young man.  As a parent of children with special needs, she understands the often daunting task of securing and coordinating appropriate academic, medical, functional, social, and recreational supports and services in the home and community.

Beth was a Project Manager for a training and consulting organization before starting her own Special Education Advocacy practice more than 15 years ago. She is a trusted and frequently requested facilitator of workshops and stakeholder meetings across the Commonwealth, known for her ability to facilitate candid conversations about special education, caregiver needs, disability rights, and healthcare disparities among underrepresented and disenfranchised populations.

Beth received her MBA at Suffolk University. She is the Assistant Director for the Division for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and a LEND Faculty Instructor and Fellow at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMASSC Chan Medical School. She is on the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Committee of the MA AAP, the recipient of the first Family Caregiver Award from the Massachusetts Lifespan Respite Coalition, the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and the Department of Developmental Services, and a certified John C. Maxwell Coach, Teacher, Trainer, and Speaker.

Felicity Crawford, Ed.D.

Faculty, Speaker, Planner

Felicity Crawford is a clinical associate professor of Special Education in the Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities Program. She brings the perspective of an experienced preK-12 educator who has worked for many years, and at every grade level, in racially and culturally diverse classroom settings. Prior to coming to Wheelock, Crawford served as project coordinator at the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she successfully recruited, supervised, and taught several cohorts of master-level students seeking dual licensure in special and general education at the secondary level.

Sophie Korpics, BA, MPP

Sophie Korpics is thrilled to be lending her unique voice and perspective as a disability advocate! Originally From Newburyport Massachusetts, Sophie holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst,  and is very passionate about disability advocacy. Previously,  she interned at the Arc of Greater-Haverhill Newburyport,  as well as the Massachusetts State House for  Representative James Kelcourse.  Most recently, she interned with the Disability Program Manager at Massachusetts General Hospital.  She currently serves on The Newburyport Commission on Disability, in addition to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Alliance in Newburyport.  In addition to advocacy around improving the public school experience for students with special health needs, Sophie is also passionate about ensuring transportation accessibility, and authentic disability representation in the arts. 

Reviewers 

Barbara Singer, MSN, RN, NCSN

Barbara is a master’s prepared nationally certified school nurse with extensive experience in critical care and school health specialties. Barbara worked at all grade levels in schools and also held the position of Director of School Health Services until 2021. Currently, she mentors school nurse leaders in obtaining their DESE Supervisor/Director license, as well as mentoring new school nurses. Barbara is a consultant with Professional Software for Nurses Inc. (PSNI) providing Electronic Medical Record (EMR) training to nurses nationwide. Barbara has written numerous grants, has published in the Journal of School Nursing, and has worked with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) regarding the education of Epinephrine auto-injectors and life-threatening food allergies. She received the William P. Doran Award for excellence in school nursing and is a member of the National Association of School Nurses and the Massachusetts School Nurse Organization. In her free time, Barbara loves to spend time with her family in the White Mountains of NH and loves to hike, ski, and bike. 

Judith Styer, BSN, BA, RN, NCSN

Judith Styer, BSN, BA, RN, NCSN is an accomplished school health administrator with a deep commitment to nurturing the health and overall well-being of students. Throughout her career, she has leveraged her expertise to shape comprehensive school health and wellness programs that promote students’ academic achievement.

From 2013 to 2022, Judith held the position of Director of Health and Wellness at Framingham Public Schools (FPS). In this capacity, she oversaw department programming and supervised a strong team of school-based student support services personnel, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, and behavioral health providers. Judith was FPS’s Director of School Health Services from 2007 to 2013 when she supervised the district’s school nurses and provided oversight to its comprehensive school health services program. Prior to becoming an administrator, Judith worked for nine years as a public school nurse in Weston and Framingham, MA.

Karen Robitaille, MBA, MSN, RN, NCSN

Director of School Health Services

MA Department of Public Health  

Nurse Planner

Erin Sivak, MSN, BSN, RN

Assistant Director, BU SHIELD

Acknowledgments

We'd like to thank Tina Rusak, MS, MSN, RN, and Ellen Capstick, MSN, RN, NCSN for letting us build this training from their presentations.

SHIELD Program Manager/Planner: Lesly Zapata, MPH