6th Annual North Harris Montgomery Advanced Practice Nurse Society Conference

Melissa Herpel, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, possesses extensive experience in both family medicine and medical aesthetics. With over 20 years of nursing experience and 18 years as a Family Nurse Practitioner, she has dedicated her career to providing accessible and affordable healthcare. As the owner of Express Family Clinic and manager of Kiss Aesthetics in Texas, she is committed to delivering advanced aesthetic treatments that enhance patients’ physical appearance and well-being. Melissa Herpel combines her clinical expertise with a compassionate, patient-centered approach, emphasizing safety, education, and natural results.

Dual board certified acute care and family nurse practitioner. Neuroscience ICU NP. Neurosurgery/ First assist and procedural experience. RN-BSN, neuroscience, trauma, and surgical critical.

Dr. Jennifer Uzzell earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1996, followed by a Master of Science in Nursing and certification as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in 2001. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2024, all from Texas Woman’s University. In addition to her PNP certification, Dr. Uzzell holds credentials as a Pediatric Mental Health Specialist, Lactation Consultant, and in Evidence-Based Practice. She currently practices at Pediatric Healthcare of NW Houston in Tomball, Texas. Dr. Uzzell also serves as adjunct faculty at both Texas Woman’s University and Houston Christian University, and actively precepts nurse practitioner students. She serves as the Student Liaison on the board of the Houston chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) and is a Leadership Succession Member for the Alpha Alpha Xi Sigma chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Jennifer’s advocacy work includes participation in health policy initiatives through the NAPNAP Child Advocacy Program and the Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP) Legislative Ambassador Program.

Dr. Kacey Lyons is an Instructor of Medicine and Gastroenterology Nurse Practitioner at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Lyons specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of gastrointestinal disorders, with clinical expertise in inflammatory bowel disease, GERD, H. pylori infection, and liver disease. In addition to her clinical and academic roles, she serves as both a speaker and advisor for pharmaceutical companies, sharing her expertise to advance therapeutic strategies in gastroenterology. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Lyons finds joy in family life with her husband, energetic 3-year-old daughter, and two beloved kitty cats.”

Hania Tofik is an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner specializing in gastroenterology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She brings over a decade of nursing experience, with expertise in both acute and primary care. In her current role as an Instructor and advanced practice provider in the Department of Gastroenterology, she delivers patient-centered care while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams to manage complex liver and digestive disorders. Hania earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas. She is board-certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and licensed in the state of Texas. Her clinical interests include the diagnosis and management of liver diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and other gastrointestinal conditions. She is passionate about patient education, advancing the role of nurse practitioners in specialty care, and contributing to quality improvement initiatives. Outside of work, Hania enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, and traveling.

Dr. Corey Naranjo is a health care and public service professional, currently working as an Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner and an EMS NP. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University, a BSN from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He has also completed a post-graduate program in Emergency & Trauma Care at UTHealth. Corey has been involved in health care for twenty-three years. Before becoming a nurse practitioner, he worked as a field Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Community Health Paramedic, and ER nurse. As an Advanced Practice Provider, he is passionate about providing exceptional emergency care through evidence-based practice. His professional interests include the impact of social determinants of health, providing health support to higher-risk populations, and reducing acute-on-chronic events that lead to 911 and emergency room utilization. Dr. Naranjo has received additional education and training in system-level process analysis and change, quality and safety enhancement, and quality improvement. He is passionate about his work and is dedicated to serving as a health care leader and respected nurse practitioner. Corey currently resides in Cypress, Texas, and his favorite job is being a dad to his 12-year-old son, Jacob. They enjoy fishing, camping, going to church, watching great movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Ofonime Bleess is a Family and Emergency Nurse Practitioner with dual board certifications and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Professor in Texas, where she plays a pivotal role in guiding graduate students as they prepare to transition into clinical practice. Beyond academia, Dr. Bleess remains deeply rooted in the Emergency clinical setting, actively precepting students, mentoring, and teaching cadaver procedural skills with Memorial Hermann Life Flight. Her commitment to bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and clinical practice is embodied in her role as the founder of Medskill Mastery.

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Ashley Camp, DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-C is an acute care nurse practitioner and educator with 15 years of nursing experience, specializing in acute care, cardiology, and diagnostic reasoning. She has experience from across the care continuum, from outpatient to procedural and critical care, and is passionate about improving clinical decision-making through case-based learning. Her presentations draw on real-world experience to help clinicians recognize subtle diagnostic cues, avoid common reasoning pitfalls, and sharpen their clinical judgment.

Dr. Tapas Nuwal finished an undergraduate degree in materials science and chemical engineering at Cornell University and did advanced coursework in engineering management at the University of Houston before earning his medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in family and community medicine at UT Health San Antonio Medical School, where he received the award for Excellence in Clinical Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine and named Senior Resident Teacher of the Year. Dr. Nuwal is board certified in family medicine and holds certificates in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, pediatric life support, advanced obstetrical life support and neonatal resuscitation. He provides the full scope of primary care, addressing both medical and mental health, for patients of all ages. He treats chronic and acute conditions and offers preventive care, including well-child visits, well-woman visits and occupational medicine. His primary clinical interests are childhood and adult obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mental health. He also schedules same-day appointments for urgent care. He speaks Hindi. His approach to care centers on communication and collaboration. His patients are “the star of the show,” and so he focuses on including them, and their families, in treatment and management plans. He wants his patients to feel they are heard without being rushed through appointments and to have confidence in their treatment plans. Dr. Nuwal is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. In his leisure time, he enjoys swimming.