2023 Baltimore Speakers

Benjamin A. Youdelman, MD, is a Cardiac Surgeon and Aortic Surgeon with advanced training in Endovascular and Aortic Surgery. He completed his training with a fellowship in Endovascular and Thoracic Aortic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia after completing his Cardiothoracic Surgery and General Surgery Training.Dr. Youdelman has extensive experience across all aspects of cardiac surgery including on and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, mitral valve repair, and aortic valve replacement including transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). His Aortic specialty practice includes aortic valve sparing techniques and complex reconstruction and repair of the aortic valve and the aorta. This includes open and endovascular aortic repair using the latest technology of branch grafts and fenestrated endovascular grafts. His special interest is in risk stratification of patients and families with aortic disease. The Aortic Registry at the Maimonides Aortic Center will maintain critical information about patients and families with aortic disease. The Maimonides Aortic Center Registry follows patients who have aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections both before and after surgery. Life long surveillance is done to plan safer elective operations if needed and decrease the risk of emergent problems or surgeries. If surgery is needed, patients are presented at a multidisciplinary conference on aortic disease and the best surgical intervention is planned. The great working relationship between Cardiac Surgery and Vascular Surgery assures that the patient will get the right operation at the right time. Emergencies are handled similarly and we work together every day. Patients and their families are followed for life by our talented multidisciplinary team to decrease anxiety in the patients and families and plan safe elective surgery to decrease the risk of bigger problems. 

After a dozen years on the front lines of social work, Mike Preston made the natural transition into standup comedy in the late 1980’s.

Working night clubs, colleges, taverns, bowling alleys and assorted other glamorous venues, Preston also made appearances on SHOWTIME’S COMEDY CLUB NETWORK and NBC’S FRIDAY NIGHT VIDEOS.

Along the way he self published several books, including The Moron Chronicles, STOP TALKING NOW! And Sway.

Additionally, Preston produced and hosted a cable television talk show called PSYCHO BABBLE for 15 years.

Tired of the daily grind and long commutes, Amy left corporate America in 2008 to start her own telecom consulting company. Her niche is working with small companies (2-30 employees), who have been tossed aside by the telecom giants when it comes to dedicated service. It is in this space that Amy feels she has the most impact; helping small businesses that don’t have the time or resources to manage their daily phone and internet needs.  

In 2015, Amy’s life turned upside down when her husband, Pete, was diagnosed with a rare, life-threatening heart condition. After successful open-heart surgery in 2017, Amy and Pete formed Rock from the Heart, a charity focused on helping people diagnosed with aortic disease. While Amy still operates her telecom consulting company, she now pours her heart and soul into Rock from the Heart. After learning firsthand how incredibly frightening the diagnosis of aortic disease can be, their mission is to help others learn the basics surrounding aortic disease so they can be the best possible advocates for themselves when it comes to making medical decisions. 

Amy and Pete have five adult children in their blended family. They are now empty nesters and live in Delano, MN with their dog and two cats