Our course facilitators and faculty presenters bring experience from across medicine, dentistry, oral surgery, anesthesiology, and airway management. They will share their clinical knowledge and expertise through educational presentations and hands-on workshops, covering key aspects of airway assessment, management, and patient care.
Course Facilitators
Lisa Grimaldi, MD
Associate Dean, Foundational Curriculum, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Attending Physician, Pediatric Critical Care (Cardiac), Phoenix Children's Hospital
Karel deLeeuw, DDS, MD, MBA, FACS
Chief and Program Director, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix
James Lindgren, MD, FAAP, FACP, CHSE
Medical Director, Center for Simulation and Innovation
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Child Health and Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Senior MedLink Physician, Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix
Rishi Popat, DMD, DMSc
Clinical Assistant Professor and Co-Director, Oral Health
Specialist in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Faculty Speakers and Hands-On Facilitators
Samuel Galvagno, DO, PhD, MS, MBA, FCCM
Chair and Professor, Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Amal Isaiah, MD, PhD, MBA
Chair and Professor, Otolaryngology, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Steven M. Kallmeyer, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Specialist in Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, Phoenix Children's Hospital
Jimmie Parks Watkins, DDS, PhD, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
CBI Facilitator and Simulation Instructor, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Matthew Boliaux, DO
Clinical Assistant Professor of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Creighton University – Phoenix
Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Ahmar Husain, MD
Vice Chief and Medical Director, Liver Transplant Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, Phoenix Children's Hospital
University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Aaron Joffe, MD
Vice Chair of Curricular Affairs, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Alice Lee, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Palak Patel, MD, MACM
Clinical Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Presenter Biographies
Lisa Grimaldi, MD
Dr. Lisa Grimaldi is a pediatric cardiac critical care physician in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Phoenix Children's Hospital. She is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Child Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and serves as the associate dean for the foundational curriculum at the College. Dr. Grimaldi received her undergraduate degree from New York University and her medical degree from Rutgers University – New Jersey Medical School. She completed her residency in pediatrics and fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine at Columbia University's New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. She then specialized in cardiac critical care and has devoted her clinical career to the care of children with congenital heart disease.
Dr. Grimaldi has been actively involved in medical education throughout her career at both the undergraduate and graduate medical education levels. She served as the director of education for the Eller Congenital Heart Center and founding fellowship director for the Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care Fellowship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. She was also the associate program director for the Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship at Phoenix Children's. She has served in many leadership, teaching, and curriculum development roles at the College in both the pre-clinical and clinical phases. In her current role as associate dean, she oversees the pre-clinical phase of the medical school curriculum and is the Principal Investigator for the Oral Health in Medicine Initiative. She has received numerous teaching and mentorship awards throughout her career and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Karel deLeeuw, DDS, MD, MBA, FACS
Karel A. deLeeuw, DDS, MD, MBA, FACS, completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. He is past Chairman of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Rochester and served as an Examiner on the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for eight years. He was on the Committee for Parameters of Care for the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and is a reviewer for the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He served as the Medical Director for Mayo Global Health Solutions and is Medical Director for Oral Health Initiatives at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. Dr. deLeeuw is Emeritus Faculty at the Mayo Clinic and is a Clinical Professor of Surgery and Chief and Program Director of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Arizona and Banner Health in Phoenix, Arizona.
Dr. deLeeuw is highly esteemed by patients for his exceptional care and dedication. Patients highlight his remarkable bedside manner, thorough explanations, and compassionate support throughout treatment and recovery.
James Lindgren, MD, FAAP, FACP, CHSE
Jim Lindgren is a Clinical Professor of Medicine and the Medical Director for the Center for Simulation and Innovation at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Disaster Medicine. Dr. Lindgren also practices as Senior MedLink physician at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, where he answers in-flight emergency calls from the aviation and yachting industries. He was appointed to the American Board of Disaster Medicine in 2017, where he serves as a subject matter expert and past Chair. Dr. Lindgren completed certification as a specialist in medical simulation, earning the CHSE title. He was awarded Simulation Instructor of the Year honors in 2019.
Dr. Lindgren is also founder and director of Window of Hope, a medical and humanitarian organization that has provided medical and disaster relief all over the world. He collaborates regularly with Convoy of Hope and has worked with the U.S. military, the World Health Organization, World Vision, Mercy Ships and Operation Blessing Africa. He is passionate about helping those in need and working in partnerships with other organizations to maximize the impact of international relief efforts.
Rishi Popat, DMD, DMSc
Rishi Popat is a practicing orthodontist in North Central Phoenix, Clinical Assistant Professor, and Co-Director of Oral Health at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. His work focuses on rethinking the traditional separation between medicine and dentistry and creating stronger connections between oral health, systemic health, and medical education.
Dr. Popat completed his orthodontic specialty training at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Harvard Medical School. He is the founder of Popat Orthodontics and Madison Pediatric Dentistry, where he continues to practice and advance patient-centered specialty care. In addition to his clinical and academic roles, he mentors medical students on research projects focused on oral health, interdisciplinary care, and the intersection of medicine and dentistry.
Drawing from experience in general dentistry, orthodontics, education, research mentorship, and private practice, Dr. Popat brings a multidisciplinary perspective to the evolving relationship between medicine and dentistry. His work reflects a commitment to challenging traditional health care silos and building a more connected, prevention-focused, and patient-centered model of care.
Samuel Galvagno, DO, PhD, MS, MBA, FCCM
Dr. Sam Galvagno is a Tenured Professor and the Founding Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. Dr. Galvagno is board certified in anesthesiology (ABA), critical care medicine (ABA), neurocritical care (ABA/ABPN), emergency medical services (ABEM) and public health (NBPHE), with certification in basic transesophageal echocardiography (NBE). He has served for over 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and remains active in a general officer position as a Mobilization Assistant and senior ranking physician in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Dr. Galvagno has authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers as well as numerous books and book chapters. He has received NIH and DoD/DoW funding and currently is a Co-I on a DARPA grant. His primary research interest is aeromedical critical care.
Amal Isaiah, MD, PhD, MBA
Amal Isaiah, MD, PhD, MBA, is a physician-scientist and surgeon-innovator working at the intersection of otolaryngology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. He is Professor with Tenure and inaugural Chair of Otolaryngology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, in partnership with Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. His clinical work centers on the morphology and outcomes of upper airway obstruction in children.
Dr. Isaiah's NIH-funded research program uses functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), machine learning, and large-scale datasets, including the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, to understand how disrupted sleep shapes cognitive trajectories in children. This work has produced more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, seven book chapters, and the Elsevier textbook Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children. Previously, as Division Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Innovation Lead at the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing, he translated research into real-world impact. He holds five patents and co-founded TonoScan Inc., a medical technology company developing AI-based diagnostic applications. His broader engineering work spans computer vision, optical physiology, and deep learning for medical devices.
Dr. Isaiah serves as Deputy Editor at JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery and is a recipient of the Harris P. Mosher Award, among the highest honors in academic otolaryngology. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, he was recognized as a Mentor with Transformative Impact for his dedication to medical student career development and received the Brian E. Emery, MD Outstanding Teaching Award for resident training. His path has been shaped by a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, where he earned his DPhil in Neuroscience; a medical degree from St. John's Medical College in India; and an Executive MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, where he was named among Poets & Quants' Best and Brightest globally.
Steven M. Kallmeyer, MD
Steven Kallmeyer, MD, is a pediatric anesthesiologist specializing in cardiac anesthesia who has worked at Phoenix Children's Hospital for 18 years. In addition to his clinical responsibilities, he is the medical director of Phoenix Children's Perioperative Services.
Dr. Kallmeyer earned his medical degree at the University of Cape Town. He completed his anesthesiology residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and a pediatric anesthesiology residency at Children's Hospital of Boston, Harvard Medical School.
He is board certified in anesthesiology and pediatric anesthesiology by the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Kallmeyer is also a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists. In addition, he's a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society and the American and Arizona Societies of Anesthesiologists.
Dr. Kallmeyer believes compassion and patience are key to good patient care. He makes communication with patients and families a priority. When he's not working, Dr. Kallmeyer enjoys spending time with his family. He also enjoys trail running, yoga, playing tennis and watching rugby.
Jimmie Parks Watkins, DDS, PhD, MD
Dr. Watkins is a highly respected medical educator whose diverse career began with training and work in dentistry, followed by oral surgery and ENT, and finally his practicing years as an anesthesiologist. In this season of his career, he has focused on training the next generation of physicians at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. He teaches in simulation and case-based instruction. He was honored with both the Stuart D. Flynn, MD, Master Educator Award and Simulation Instructor of the Year awards. His most recent honor includes serving as the speaker at the convocation for the graduating class of 2025.
Matthew Boliaux, DO
Matt Boliaux is a local Sleep Medicine physician practicing at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. He earned his medical degree from A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri, before completing both his Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine training at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. Thereafter, he was recruited to join Barrow Sleep Center to aid in establishing their inaugural Sleep Medicine clinic in Phoenix. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine and is passionate about community outreach, patient education, and training the next generations of sleep physicians.
Ahmar Husain, MD
Ahmar Husain, MD, is the Anesthesia Section Vice Chief and Medical Director of Liver Transplant Anesthesiology at Phoenix Children's. Dr. Husain earned his medical degree from St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada. He completed a surgical residency at Saint Barnabas Hospital in New Jersey followed by an anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston. He then completed a pediatric anesthesiology fellowship at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.
In addition to earning his pediatric anesthesiology board certification through the American Board of Anesthesiology, Dr. Husain is also affiliated with the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, Society for Pediatric Pain Medicine, and the Arizona Medical Association. In his practice, Dr. Husain enjoys blending science with empathy to offer the level of care he would want for his own family. He appreciates the opportunity to give back to the community through his work.
Outside of work, Dr. Husain loves spending time with his wife and two children. He likes traveling, listening to music, and enjoying good food.
Aaron Joffe, MD
Dr. Joffe is currently the Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs for the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. He has more than 20 years of experience as a practicing Anesthesiologist and Intensivist with a clinical research focus on airway management in and out of the operating room. In addition to years of involvement in teaching trainees about airways, he has well over 100 published articles and book chapters to his credit. Currently, he serves on the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists (SOCCA) Physiologically Difficult Airway Task Force, which provides consensus and expert clinical practice statements related to airway management in critically ill adults with a physiologically difficult airway (PDA), as well as a curriculum for teaching airway skills in this challenging patient population.
Alice Lee, MD
Dr. Lee has been a practicing emergency physician since graduating from the Maricopa Medical Center Emergency Medicine Residency in Phoenix in 1992. She began her career at Valley Lutheran Hospital, now Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa, Arizona. In 2006, she joined Premier Emergency Medical Specialists and worked at Chandler Regional Medical Center in Chandler and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert until October 2010, when she returned to Banner Baywood Medical Center. After 34 years in emergency medicine, 30 of them at Banner Baywood, she retired from daily bedside emergency care and began a new part-time practice with MedAire/MedLink as an aviation telemedicine physician, answering calls from flights across the globe experiencing mid-flight medical emergencies.
Dr. Lee entered academia as Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix in 2015, teaching simulation and medical procedures to medical students.
Palak Patel, MD, MACM
Palak Patel, MD, is a pediatric anesthesiologist in the Phoenix community. She grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and earned an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University. She graduated from the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, then completed a residency in anesthesiology at the University of California, Irvine, followed by a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Dr. Patel returned to Phoenix and joined the faculty at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix as a simulation instructor in the college's Center for Simulation and Innovation.
Dr. Patel completed a master's degree in undergraduate medical education at the University of Southern California and serves as a Scholarly Project mentor for medical students.