ESCAPE to Thrive 2016 Presenters:
Dr. Mark David Gilbert, M.D., Dip. ABPN, F.R.C.P. is Director of the Mind-Body Medicine Skills Group Program at the Banner University of Arizona Medical Center-Tucson; The Co-Leader of Psychosocial Oncology, the Banner University of Arizona Cancer Center; former Director of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry; and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Arizona. Dr. Gilbert has practiced Psychiatry for over 3 decades after graduating from UCLA’s residency program. He lectures the Mind-Body Medicine, Physician Self-Care, and Coping with Life-Threatening and Chronic Illness courses at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona and has been treating cancer patients for over 40 years. He is a contributing member in psychosocial oncology and mind-body medicine for the Integrative Oncology fellowship and student elective program respectively at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, and has an affiliation with the Reproductive Health Center in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Gilbert is on the teaching faculty for the University of Arizona senior Psychiatry residents, and has won both Junior and Senior teaching awards in that role. Dr. Gilbert was the co-director of one of the first Integrative Medical Clinics in Canada and has been Director of the Eye of the Hurricane® Mind-Body Medicine Skills Group Program for over 20 years.
Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP is Chief Executive Officer of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship. She serves as a member of the National Cancer Institute’s National Council of Research Advisors, the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Cancer Survivorship Committee, and the National Quality Forum’s Measures Application Partnership. Prior to joining NCCS, Shelley served in leadership roles at Susan G. Komen, where she leveraged the strength of Komen’s grassroots network to strengthen the organization’s reputation and visibility in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals. Shelley has also served as Director of Community Philanthropy at The Dallas Foundation and held management positions at communications and technology enterprises. She is a graduate of Rice University and holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. Shelley’s commitment to the work of NCCS is strongly tied to the experiences in the cancer care system of her dear friend, Dr. Brent Whitworth, a beloved physician diagnosed with stage IV cancer days before his 42nd birthday. Through Brent’s battle, Shelley witnessed the strengths and flaws of the cancer care system and embraces the notion that policy change can directly benefit patients and caregivers going through this journey.
Sherri Romanoski is the founder of BAG IT, a non-profit organization that provides newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families with helpful resources for coping with diagnosis and treatment. BAG IT has helped over 55,000 since 2003. Its vision is to empower patients to be more involved in their care, advocate for themselves, and learn to cope with the challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment. Further, BAG IT empowers cancer advocates to promote this same vision in their communities.
Sherri has 10 years of experience as a behavioral health educator and 22 years as a classroom teacher. Her skills as a grant writer, parent and teacher education trainer, volunteer, and curriculum author have helped the BAG IT program achieve its success. Encouraging and Sustaining Cancer Advocacy Programs and Efforts (ESCAPE) is an innovative program under her direction. Sherri’s experience includes Department of Defense research review advocate, clinical trial and cancer research proposal reviewer, patient advocate on Scientific Advisory Board for UA Cancer Center, and AZ Cancer Coalition – Quality of Life committee member. Her connections to and collaborations with NCI and NCCS have remained strong since BAG IT was founded in 2003.
Dr. Victoria Maizes is Executive Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and a Professor of Medicine, Family Medicine and Public Health at The University of Arizona. Internationally recognized as a leader in integrative medicine, Dr. Maizes is committed to helping individuals live healthier lives and pioneering change that helps solve US health care system problems. She created and implemented national educational programs that have reached thousands of health professionals; developed an innovative, integrative primary care clinical model; and is carrying out research to assess clinical and cost effectiveness of integrative care. Dr Maizes is the editor of the Oxford University Textbook Integrative Women’s Health now in its 2nd Edition and the author of Be Fruitful: The Essential Guide to Maximizing Fertility and Giving Birth to a Healthy Child.
Laura Alexander and Jenny Carrillo are passionate about all things that help nonprofits and the people who run them “Do Good. Better.” With nearly 50 years of experience in the sector between them, Laura and Jenny are a dynamic duo that has helped over 100 nonprofit organizations throughout Arizona better meet their missions. They have each earned a Masters degree in Philanthropy & Development, the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, the BoardSource designation as Certified Governance Trainers and have each been recognized by their peers as Southern Arizona’s Outstanding Fundraising Professional. Laura and Jenny love meeting and learning from people who are committed to making our communities better for everyone. For more information about them and their firm, Alexander | Carrillo Consulting, visit: www.do-good-better.com
Dr. Lana Holstein did her undergraduate work at Stanford University and initially thought law was her field. However, after one year at Stanford law school, she decided to go into medicine. She completed her medical training at Yale Medical School, and did her Family Practice Residency (along with her physician husband) at the University of Arizona.
After fifteen years of a shared family practice in Flagstaff, Arizona, they returned to Tucson, where Doctor Holstein was Director of Women's Health at Canyon Ranch for ten years and then the Managing Director of Sexuality and Vitality at Miraval Resort for six years during which their couples sexuality program was featured on Oprah. She is now semi-retired; doing life coaching for individuals and groups, and playing golf!
She is the author of How to Have Magnificent Sex, The 7 Dimensions of a Vital Sexual Connection. Lana and her husband wrote a second sexuality book on their innovative program titled, Your Long Erotic Weekend: Four Days of Passion for a Lifetime of Magnificent Sex. She has appeared on national TV several times including the Today Show, the CBS Early Show, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.