Meet Our Speakers
Dr. Michael Louwers
Dr. Michael Louwers is a physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with fellowship training in interventional pain management. He has more than 17 years of clinical experience in chronic pain and addiction medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Louwers recognized that many patients were receiving symptom-based care that failed to address underlying drivers, such as unresolved trauma. In 2024, he founded Reset Medical and Wellness Center in Strongsville, Ohio, where he focuses on root-cause, trauma-informed care for PTSD, anxiety, and related conditions. His work centers on cervical sympathetic modulation, including an advanced protocol known as Neuro Sympathetic Reset (NSR) to restore autonomic balance.
Dr. Louwers is actively involved in clinical research evaluating these approaches, particularly among veteran and first responder populations, in collaboration with nonprofit organizations.
Lisa Budny
Lisa is a retired lieutenant from the Beachwood, Ohio Police Department. Prior to working for Beachwood, she was a parole officer for the State of Ohio, Cleveland Region, and a dispatcher for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Upon retiring, she worked for the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office as a Cold Case Investigator, utilizing familial DNA to solve cold case sexual assaults and kidnappings. Lisa spends her retirement advocating for mental wellness and treatment for first responders. Lisa is the widow of Mike Budny, the Cleveland Police SWAT Sniper and U.S. Army Veteran that committed suicide on the 3rd anniversary of his retirement. She shares Mike’s story of anxiety, PTSD, and depression. Lisa also shares the story of her 77-year-old mother who was killed by a drunk driver in 2020. Both of these incidents, paired with a career in public service, left Lisa struggling with the effects of PTSD, specifically, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance. Her story is raw and direct, articulating each moment of her reaction to the incidents and the signs, symptoms, and tools she has used to battle PTSD.
Dr. Joy Hutchinson
Dr. Joy Hutchinson, PhD, LPC-MHSP, NCC, BC-TMH, CCTP-II, is an Assistant Professor in the School of Education and Counseling at West Virginia University and a nationally recognized speaker on first responder mental health. With a professional background as a paramedic, she brings a rare dual perspective that integrates lived experience in emergency services with clinical expertise and research, allowing her to translate complex findings into practical, field-relevant strategies.
Dr. Hutchinson’s work has been published in Psychological Services, Current Opinion in Psychology, and the Journal of Military and Government Counseling. and she is actively leading research on the cost-benefit of proactive mental health interventions and access to culturally responsive care. Through her research, training, and collaboration with public safety organizations, she continues to advance efforts that strengthen resilience, improve retention, and support the long-term well-being of first responders across disciplines.
Emily Nelms
Emily Nelms is a Christian, fire wife to Daniel, and mama to Jackson, Noah & Lucy. She has worked in the Fire Service for 16 years with experience ranging from career & volunteer fire suppression, private fire investigation, and codes enforcement. She is active in Peer Support and coordinates the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program for the Franklin, TN Fire Department. She owns and operates Morning Watch Wellness, a Behavioral Health consulting business. She holds a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling: Crisis Response & Trauma from Liberty University.​
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Danny Jones
Assistant Chief Daniel "Danny" Jones has worn many hats throughout his life. Danny is a Marine Corps Veteran, and holds a business degree from Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, TN. Danny also holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University. In January 2002, Danny was deployed to Africa as part of the War on Terrorism. After returning home, he applied to and was accepted by the Chattanooga Police Department in December 2003. While working with the police department, he was deployed twice more through the Marine Corps Reserves—both times to Iraq. One of these deployments was to Fallujah, where he experienced some of the most intense ground combat since Vietnam. In his other deployment, he worked with the Iraqi Police. During his tenure at the Chattanooga Police Department, Danny served in various divisions. He spent 10 years on SWAT, served a year as a task force officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), worked in the Public Information Office, led the gang unit as a sergeant for two years, and held positions as patrol zone commander, commander of Special Operations, and Support Services Commander. He is currently the Assistant Chief over Neighborhood Policing. Danny has been married to his wife, Heather, for 25 years. In 2023, Danny and Heather finalized the adoption of their two children. They are active members of their church and the founders of Restore Hope Ministries, a program that brings law enforcement and community members together to make a positive impact on children for Christ.
Dr. Julianna Jarvis
Dr. Julianna Jarvis is a seasoned mental health professional with a Doctorate of Education in Community Counseling: Traumatology from Liberty University. With over a decade of experience working across emergency response, behavioral health, and organizational leadership, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of clinical insight and frontline realities. Dr. Jarvis is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Psychological First Aid (PFA), ALLEAPS Peer Support, and AFC Peer Support. Several years ago she partnered with the Albertville Police and Fire Departments to create North Alabama’s first comprehensive wellness plan for first responders. The program is part of a larger non-profit organization, has now spread across North Alabama and her passion is sharing that journey with others. She has served as Executive Director of a community provider agency, overseeing group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities; and as a psychologist’s assistant conducting standardized testing and client support. She has also volunteered with Covenant Rescue Group in the fight against human trafficking and published field-based research on childhood sexual abuse and the personality of offenders. She offers consultations with law enforcement in sexual abuse cases and volunteers to assist the victims and their families.
A passionate educator and speaker, Dr. Jarvis is committed to promoting evidence-based approaches to first responder wellness. She currently consults with agencies throughout Alabama to implement trauma-informed practices that save lives and strengthen teams.
Rick Cheatham
Rick Cheatham is a former Union President with IAFF Local 2899, and retired Urban Search & Rescue Fire Captain with Anaheim Fire & Rescue, where he served for 25 years responding to emergencies, leading personnel, and supporting firefighters through some of the most challenging moments of their careers.
Today, Rick is a transformational life coach, speaker, and founder of RK Consulting Group LLC. Drawing from both his professional experience and personal journey through addiction recovery, marital crisis, the murder of his oldest son, and a life-altering neck injury that threatened his ability to walk, Rick helps first responders navigate adversity, strengthen relationships, and find purpose beyond survival. His signature framework, S.T.A.R.T. (Self-Awareness, Transformative Thinking, Action, Regulation, and Thrive), translates principles of emergency scene management and triage into practical tools for emotional health, personal growth, and family resilience. Rick is passionate about helping first responders recognize the hidden costs of chronic stress, trauma exposure, emotional suppression, and unresolved pain before they become crises.
Through storytelling, neuroscience, fire service analogies, and practical application, he empowers audiences to move from merely surviving life’s challenges to growing through them. Rick lives in Tennessee with his wife Kelly and is committed to supporting first responders and their families in building stronger relationships, healthier identities, and lasting hope.
Cassie Sexton
Originating from Southern California and now residing in North Carolina, Cassie Sexton possesses an extensive background in Law Enforcement, with the majority of her career dedicated to serving in the 9-1-1 Center. In her current role as Director of Client Relations at 911 Training Institute, she focuses on proactive wellness initiatives, providing resources, education, and consulting to first responders. She currently serves as the National NENA (National Emergency Numbers Association) Wellness Co-Chair, and as North Carolina NENA's 1st Vice President.