Colorado Cancer Coalition Speaker Bureau

We’re in the process of building a statewide Speaker Bureau so you can access local experts for your cancer related events. If you have a request for a speaker, or would like to offer your expertise as a speaker, please fill out one of the forms below.

Listings below does not imply endorsement of services.

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Speaker Bureau Directory

More speakers coming soon….

Jeri Ajayi

Colorado Cancer Coalition Steering Committee Member

Background: I am a member of the Colorado Cancer Coalition (CCC) Steering Committee and I am a former Program Manager for several years, with experience in "grass roots" community engagement to prevent and reduce breast, cervical, colo-rectal, and prostate cancer. Interventions included education to raise awareness and the coordination of services to increase screenings.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Burden/Statistics, Cancer Prevention, Evidence Based Cancer Prevention Programs, Screening Guidelines

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Employers, Faith-based groups

Helen L. Coons, Ph.D., ABPP

Health Psychology Solutions

Background:Dr. Coons is the President and Clinical Director of Health Psychology Solutions, Denver and Boulder. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Temple University after interning in Medical Psychology at the Duke University Medical Center. As a clinical health psychologist with over 25 years of expertise in psychosocial oncology at the local, national and international levels, she has given over 100 community presentations on topics such as living well with fear of recurrence, body image and sexual health, chemobrain, difficult conversations with family about cancer, coping with advanced cancers, caregiver concerns, health care decisions for women and men at high risk for cancer, etc. Dr. Coons also gives grand rounds and workshops to oncology and other health care providers on giving difficult medical news to patients, communication skills to improve patient satisfaction, sexual health in adults with cancer, etc. Dr. Coons routinely consults at a national level on psychosocial oncology care and patient resources. She presented at the Institute of Medicine National Cancer Policy Board meeting on Psychosocial Service Needs among Women with Breast Cancer; served on four of the Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) professional advisory committees to develop patient resources as well as the advisory committee for an advanced breast cancer survey for the oncology division of Novartis, and currently sits on LBBC’s Medical Advisory Board.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Survivorship, Health care decisions for individuals and families at risk for cancer.

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals, Cancer advocacy groups

Tara Galeano

Boulder Sex Therapy

Background: I am a psychotherapist in private practice, I am a sex therapist, and I am an educator. I have been facilitating groups for over twenty years in businesses, educational institutions, and medical organizations such as National Renewal Energy Laboratory, Boulder Community Hospital, University of Colorado, and Naropa University. My style is warm, direct, and gentle as I help women who are recovering from cancer learn about their intimate desires and rekindle them in their lives.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Survivorship, Sex after Cancer

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Public Health Professionals

Colleen Gill

Nutrition Foundations

Background:Colleen Gill is a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, speaker and author, working with oncology patients in the University of Colorado system from 1990 to 2016, and in her private practice since 2001. Colleen has been active in the Oncology Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a board member, conference speaker and contributor to their 2013 textbook, Oncology Nutrition in Clinical Practice. She was a member of the committee that developed an oncology certification exam for dietitians in 2008 and is herself a board certified specialist in oncology (CSO). Colleen served on the Board of Trustees for the Association of Community Cancer Centers, from 2013 to 2016, addressing nutrition issues in educational projects of the group.

Education:
BA, Biology, Whitman College; 1975
MS, Nutrition, University of Washington; 1981

Certifications:
Registered Dietitian: 1983; #00687331
Certified Specialist in Oncology (CSO): since 2008

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship, Nutrition

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff

Jane Harris

Background: I have over 30 years experience working in community health settings. I enjoy speaking to community groups and sharing screening guidelines and other important prevention and education topics.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Prevention, Evidence Based Cancer Prevention Programs, Screening Guidelines

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Clinic Staff, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals

Karen Howeth

Revitalize Cancer Support

Background: Cancer education from my own experience. I am a 20 year stage IV Thrive Warrior. I speak about using different modalities for healing, finding hidden toxins, acidic to alkaline nutrition and mindset for healing.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Prevention, Survivorship, Hidden toxins in the home, acidic to alkaline, mind body connection for healing

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community members, Cancer Survivors, Clinic Staff, Public Health Professionals

Chrystine Kelley

Colorado Dept of Public Health & Environment

Background: I am the Radon Program Manager for CDPHE and have 14 years experience in educating the public, realtors, builders, health care professionals and others on radon induced lung cancer prevention

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Burden/Statistics, Cancer Prevention, Evidence Based Cancer Prevention Programs

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Burden/Statistics, Cancer Prevention, Evidence Based Cancer Prevention Programs

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals

Linda Watson Kolstad

Sky Ridge Medical Center

Background: My husband passed away after a brave 14 month fight against cancer. He had lung cancer that metastasized to his spine and colon cancer that metastasized to his liver. I am passionate about early detection and screening as I believe with every ounce of my being that at the very least his colon cancer could have been prevented and perhaps we would have had him several more years. I believe my story is compelling as we were partners for 13 years and married in his final days in the healing garden at Sky Ridge Medical Center where I work and where he was a patient. I was a married woman for 4 days. I want his story told to make sense of the death of a truly remarkable man. He was only 67 years old. I have beautiful photos of his journey that provide insight into our incredible fight.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Prevention, Screening Guidelines (Specify cancer type in the other section), Impacts on family of losing a loved one to cancer; importance of early detection/prevention

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Caregivers, Employers

Jana Bolduan Lomax, PsyD

Shift Healing, LLC

Background:I am a licensed Clinical Health Psychologist with 12 years of clinical and program administration experiences in academic and community cancer centers. I am an adjunct faculty at University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology and University of Colorado - Denver. I have expertise in Psychosocial Oncology, Evidenced-based Supportive Oncology Care, Clinical Cancer Survivorship, Supportive Oncology Program Development and Implementation and Evaluation.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Survivorship, Psychosocial Oncology and Evidence-Based Supportive Care; Developing Psychosocial Oncology/Survivorship Programs; Coping with Chronic Illness; and Caregiver Support

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Insurance administrators, Public Health Professionals

Michael Russer & Jacqueline Lopez

Cancer Intimacy Help

Background: Relationship, Sex and Intimacy for Reproductive Cancer Survivors and any other cancer

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Burden/Statistics, Patient Navigation, Survivorship, Fulfilled Life After Cancer With Intimate Partner

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Clinic Staff, Health care administrators, Public Health Professionals, Oncology Nurses – Cancer Navigators

Paula Marchionda

Marchionda Imaginative Medicine Institute

Background: "Dr. Marchionda earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of New Mexico before attending medical school at the University of Arizona during which time she was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. After medical school she completed her internship in Family Medicine in Seattle followed by a master’s degree in Public Health and medical residency in Preventive Medicine at the University of Colorado. She was awarded the American Cancer Society Physician Training Award while at the University of Colorado, enabling her to pursue her interest in cancer control, prevention, and survivorship. Dr. Marchionda is board certified in Preventive Medicine and has special interests in cancer survivorship, wellness and integrative medicine.
In addition, she a fellow in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and an assistant clinical professor at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus. She is also an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist and provides Acudetox ear acupuncture to her patients and clients.
She has worked with healers from many different traditions and modalities over several decades and does not align with any particular tradition or call herself by any traditional title other than healer and physician.
She is able and wiling to speak on any topic related to the above."

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Burden/Statistics, Cancer Prevention, Evidence Based Cancer Prevention Programs, Screening Guidelines (Specify cancer type in the other section), Survivorship, Complementary & Integrative Medicine including Oncology

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals, any audience

Tracy Maxwell

Solo Survivors

Background:I am a four-time ovarian cancer survivor, a healing coach and survivorship guide. When I was originally diagnosed, I was CEO of a small start-up, single and living alone. My first thought was, "Who is going to take care of me?" Luckily a cadre of friends and family took that on, and I learned to allow myself to be cared for and supported. I blogged about my experience as a single person with cancer, and a publisher recruited me to write a book. Being Single, With Cancer: A Solo Survivor’s Guide to Life, Love, Health and Happiness was published in 2014. As a professional speaker for five years, I enjoy sharing my message of hope and healing with cancer survivors and healthcare providers, and I truly love coaching others through the healing and survivorship processes.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Survivorship, emotional impacts, healing, singles with cancer

Audiences for speaking engagements: Cancer Survivors, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff

Annette Bennington McElhiney

Advocate for the Clearity Foundation

Background: Retired college professor MSUD
Volunteer Clearity Foundation
http://www.clearityfoundation.org/

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements:  Survivorship, Molecular profiles in ovarian cancer

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Women’s groups

Lauren Price

Background: After completing a 2 year masters level program in holistic nutrition and the Nutrition Therapy Institute of Denver I began practicing integrative oncology nutrition, supporting clients through various cancer treatments nutritionally to improve outcomes and quality of life. I support all treatment plans with the current research. I would be willing to speak about foods and botanicals to support various types of cancer and nutrition therapy to support a cancer diagnosis and/or specific cancer treatments.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cancer Prevention, Integrative Oncology Nutrition

Audiences for speaking engagements:Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty)

Sandy Priester, MBA, CHTP, RMT

LifeSpark Cancer Resources

Background: I am Co-Founder and Executive Director of LifeSpark Cancer Resources, a charity that provides wellness therapies (Reiki and Healing Touch) to cancer patients from Longmont to Colorado Springs. I have 30 years of experience in energy medicine and complementary therapies, and speak frequently to health care professionals and cancer survivors about the benefits of integrative care and non-pharmacological interventions to promote healing and peace. I am the Co-Chair of the Survivorship Task Force of the Colorado Cancer Coalition.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Survivorship, Complementary and Integrative Medicine

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals

Michele Ross

Impact Network

I‘m the Executive Director of 501c3 nonprofit institute of cannabis research for women’s health; I also teach around the globe on cannabis for specific conditions. I can speak on cannabis for cancer in general, cannabis for cancer survivorship, cannabis for breast cancer, cannabis research in general, cannabis 101, and using cannabis for cancer prevention.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Cannabis for Cancer Prevention, Treatment & Survivorship

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals

Kristina Sampson

The Vail Diet

Background: I am a three-time cancer survivor, Certified Holistic Health Coach, and author or a book called Leave Cancer in the Dust: 50 Tips to Prevent Breast Cancer and Supercharge Your Health. In addition, I am enrolled in the Oncology Nutrition Therapist program at The Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, and an working on a Masters in Nutrition and Functional Medicine at the University of Western States.

For this audience, I would be interested in speaking about cancer prevention, the best diet while going through cancer treatment, the effect of sugar on cancer, environmental toxins and how they affect cancer risk, and other topics related to preventing and surviving cancer.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements:Cancer Prevention, Survivorship

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Survivors, Cancer Caregivers

Shiraj Sen

Sarah Cannon Research Institute

Background: Dr. Shiraj Sen is the associate director of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute at HealthONE, a clinical trials program in Denver for patients with advanced cancer. The goal of the Sarah Cannon Research Institute is to improve access to clinical trials with novel, promising cancer drugs in Colorado. Dr. Sen completed his M.D. and Ph.D degrees at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and his oncology training at The MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Sen has received numerous awards throughout his career including the MD Anderson/LBJ Hospital Fellow of the Year award, The Waun Ki Hong Award for Achievement in Clinical Investigation, The Marion D Edward Fellowship in Hepatic Oncology, the AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Scholar-in-Training Award, and the ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation Award. His research has been published extensively, including first author publications the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Annals of Oncology, and The Journal of Clinical Oncology: Precision Oncology, and Dr. Sen has delivered more than 20 presentations at national and international conferences. He is available to speak about cancer clinical trials, cancer drug development, immunotherapy, and precision oncology.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Oncology clinical trials

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Cancer Survivors, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Government officials/policy makers

Vincent A. Vidaurri

UC Health

Background: I am a board certified oncology pharmacist. I provide evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy management and direct patient care for individuals with cancer, including treatment assessment and monitoring for potential adverse drug reactions and interactions. I have been a pharmacist for over 20 years and during this time, I given lectures about medications to a wide-range of groups from community members to specialized providers.

As one of only 43 board certified oncology pharmacist in Colorado, I look forward to providing non-bias, well researched, and understandable material to my audience. Given the complexity and expanding options of cancer drugs, a pharmacist is invaluable in explaining this challenging areas of healthcare.

Topics and Audience

Topics for speaking engagements: Evidence Based Drug Studies

Audiences for speaking engagements: Community-based organization, Community members, Cancer Caregivers, Providers (Primary Care), Providers (Specialty), Clinic Staff, Government officials/policy makers, Health care administrators, Insurance administrators, Employers, Public Health Professionals