Christina Hurley, BSES, MPAS, PA-C

KEYNOTE SPEAKER · CLINICIAN · FOUNDER

Physician associate. Amputee. Mother. Founder of Less Leg More Heart. The first amputee to win an international beauty pagent. Former competitive gymnast, cheerleader and CrossFitter; Winner of the Adaptive CrossFit Games 2018.

Christina brings a rare mix of clinical insight, lived experience and hard-won leadership to every stage she steps on, and leaves audiences ready to rise by lifting others.

Book Christina

See Christina on stage

Two and a half minutes. One story your audience won't forget.

From the exam room to the main stage

Christina spent her early career as a board-certified physician assistant, caring for patients through some of the hardest moments of their lives. Then limb loss made her the patient, and showed her, from the inside, how many gaps the system leaves for people learning to live without a limb.

She didn't wait for someone else to fix it. In 2019 she founded Less Leg More Heart, a national nonprofit that has since supported more than 2,000 people with limb loss and limb difference through peer mentorship, medical advocacy, mobility resources, home accessibility and community.

Along the way she became the first amputee to win Ms. North America, the first amputee to rappel 24 floors down Manchester's Brady Sullivan building, and a clinician-turned-CEO who built a movement without a business degree.

“We rise by lifting others.”

The clinician

A board-certified physician assistant who has seen care from both sides of the bed rail, and speaks fluently to providers and patients alike.

The founder

Built Less Leg More Heart from a passion project into a national nonprofit with 50+ volunteers across 8 committees.

 BY THE NUMBERS

2,000+ people with limb loss supported. 50+ volunteers across 8 committees. The first amputee to wear the Ms. North America crown. One mission: no one should face limb loss alone.

Signature talks

Every talk is tailored to your audience, your theme and your goals, from a 20-minute opener to a full keynote or hands-on workshop.

  • For healthcare, rehab and clinical conferences. What it means to stand on both sides of the bed rail. Christina shows clinicians how small moments of dignity, communication and follow-through shape outcomes long after discharge.

  • For HR, workplace culture and inclusion audiences. Disability inclusion is more than compliance. Practical lessons for building teams where people with disabilities are seen, supported and retained.

  • For corporate, leadership and association events. A keynote on resilience that skips the clichés: how to adapt when life changes the plan, and how to lead others while you're still finding your footing.

  • For entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and business stages. How a self-described “humble medical clinician, not a businesswoman” grew a national nonprofit: mission-first decisions, partnerships, volunteers and scaling with heart.

  • For galas, schools, universities and community events. An uplifting, slightly cheeky, deeply human talk about service, community and why helping someone else is often what saves us.

Request a Talk

Built for your stage or show

From a 3000-person clinical conference to a 30-person leadership retreat or a live TV segment, Christina adapts her message, length and format to fit your event or audience.

Formats

  • Keynotes and opening or closing sessions

  • Breakout sessions and workshops

  • Panels, fireside chats and moderated Q&A

  • Virtual and hybrid events

  • Galas, award dinners and fundraisers

  • Media interviews: TV, radio, podcasts and print

Audiences

  • Healthcare, rehab and clinical conferences

  • Corporate and leadership events

  • HR, DEI and workplace culture programs

  • Associations and trade groups

  • Universities, schools and student groups

  • Nonprofit and community events

  • Journalists, producers and podcast hosts

Recognition & stages

Christina's leadership has been recognized by her community, her industry and the pageant world, and her voice has reached clinicians, business leaders and television audiences.

Honors

  • Ms. North America 2026, the first amputee to win the title

  • 2025 Anthem Award

  • Business Leader of the Year, Greater Merrimack & Souhegan Valley Chamber (2022)

  • WZID/Hannaford Outstanding Women (2020, 2023)

  • Spirit of NH Volunteer Champion

Stages & media

  • Keynote, MACVPR Annual Conference (cardiovascular and pulmonary rehab clinicians)

  • Host of 2+ years of Merrimack TV programming on disability, accessibility and inclusion

  • Accepted New Hampshire's Limb Loss Awareness Month proclamation

  • First amputee to rappel Manchester's Brady Sullivan building (United Way Over the Edge, 2026)

Book Christina for speaking or media

Planning an event, podcast, broadcast or story? Tell us about it and we'll follow up within a few business days with availability and, for speaking engagements, a custom quote.

Your booking does more than fill a stage

Speaking fees go directly to Less Leg More Heart's programs, helping people facing limb loss get mentorship, mobility, advocacy and support. When you book Christina, your event becomes part of the mission.

Prefer email? christina.hurley@lesslegmoreheart.com