Roster of the Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women

What to know

This advisory committee helps CDC develop evidence-based approaches to advance understanding and awareness of breast cancer among young women.

Executive Secretary

Kimberly E. Smith, MBA, MHA

Designated Federal Official

Office of Policy, Partnerships, and Communication
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Highway NE, MS S107-4
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: 404-498-0073
Fax: 770-488-4760
Email: hro2@cdc.gov

Committee Management Specialist

Carolyn P.R. Headley, MSPH, CGMP

Public Health Analyst

Office of Policy, Partnerships, and Communication
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Highway NE, MS S107-4
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone: 770-488-4237
Fax: 770-488-4760
Email: ihg6@cdc.gov

Chair

Cristina M. Checka, MD

Associate Professor
Breast Surgical Oncology
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
League City, TX
|Email: cmchecka@mdanderson.org

Term: May 17, 2021 to November 30, 2024

Dr. Cristina M. Checka is an assistant professor in the Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She works within a community-based practice that is uniquely positioned in the longitudinal care of young women.

Dr. Checka's day-to-day work involves breast cancer risk assessment and reduction, survivorship, and the surgical treatment of breast cancer. Her clinical interests include management of women with an increased risk of and with breast cancer. Dr. Checka has worked closely with young, underserved breast cancer patients in urban settings, as well as with rural patients who have unique travel and cost challenges. Dr. Checka earned her medical degree from Michigan State University, completed her residency in general surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and completed her breast surgical oncology fellowship in 2008 at New York University.

Members

Anne H. Blaes, MD, MS

Professor, Department of Medicine, Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Email: blaes004@umn.edu

Term: November 26, 2023 to November 30, 2026

Dr. Anne Blaes is a professor in hematology and oncology at the University of Minnesota, where she also serves as the division director of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation. She is the director of Cancer Survivorship Services and Translational Research and co-director of the Screening, Prevention, Etiology, and Cancer Survivorship Program in the Masonic Cancer Center. She is an active hematologist and medical oncologist with a special interest in breast cancer, cardio-oncology and cancer survivorship. She is a past chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Survivorship Committee. She serves on the planning committee for the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the International Cardio-Oncology Society leadership teams, and the American Heart Association Cardio-Oncology Council.

Joan M. Blakey, PhD, MSW, LMSW

Director, School of Social Work and Gamble Skogmo Endowed Chair
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
Saint Paul, MN
Email: blak0014@umn.edu

Term: March 18, 2024 to November 30, 2027

Dr. Blakey was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at ages 36 and 44. She is a university professor and researcher in social work. She is responsible for programs, resources, personnel, budget development, oversight, fundraising, and administrative planning. Her areas of expertise include child advocacy, protection, and welfare; diversity, equity, and inclusion; justice and corrections; substance use and substance use treatment; and trauma and trauma-informed care. She also focuses on anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice within the social work profession. Because of her lived experience, Dr. Blakey is committed to helping young women navigate this disease, serve as a source of hope and inspiration, and provide them with the resources they need to deal with early-onset breast cancer. Dr. Blakey holds bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from the University of Minnesota. She completed her doctorate in social work at the University of Chicago.

Heather Caro, MBA-HM, BSN

Manager, Alliance Management
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Email: hcaro2454@gmail.com

Term: May 13, 2021 to November 30, 2024

Ms. Heather Caro is a manager of alliance management. She is a registered nurse with experience in intensive care, cardiology research, and the pharmaceutical industry and a freelance writer. Despite more than 15 years of experience as a nurse, her most valuable resource has been as a patient, having been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2012 at age 32. Since completing her treatment, she has dedicated herself to helping others through advocacy. She serves as Idaho state lead for the Young Survival Coalition and as a consumer reviewer with the US Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.

Ashley Dedmon, MPH, CHES®

Breast Cancer Patient and Research Advocate
Manvel, TX
Email: pinklegacy5050@gmail.com

Term: April 1, 2022 to November 30, 2025

Ms. Ashley Dedmon is a native Houstonian. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Community Health from Prairie View A&M University. She also earned a master of public health from Florida A&M University. She is a certified health education specialist and holds a Lean Six Sigma green belt. Ashley has a diverse and multisectoral career background, including in nonprofit education, health care, policy, and government. Her experience has positioned her with unique business acumen.

Ms. Dedmon is a BRCA2+ previvor and was a teen caregiver of two parents with cancer. During her journey, she authored The Big Discovery, a children's book that guides families through a breast cancer diagnosis. She is a research advocate with Houston Methodist Research Institute and a member of the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health Physical Sciences-Oncology Advocacy Network, and the Penn Medicine Basser Center for BRCA Young Leadership Council. She volunteers with the Tigerlily Foundation on various health equity initiatives, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) as a peer navigator, and Angels Surviving Cancer. Ms. Dedmon serves on a myriad of related workgroups and committees and has presented at institutions such as MD Anderson Cancer Center, Yale University, Houston Methodist Research Institute, and CURE® Education. When she is not working, she loves to spend time with family and work out.

Jana E. Halaby, MBA

Senior Director, Corporate Strategy
Illumina
La Jolla, CA
Email: janahalaby@gmail.com

Term: May 12, 2021 to November 30, 2024

Ms. Jana Halaby is the senior director of corporate strategy at Illumina. She has more than 15 years of strategy, marketing, and brand-building experience across an array of industries, giving her a unique perspective on various issues. Her experience across the health care system includes optimizing operations in major health systems, advancing disease self-management through education, and developing and interpreting research to design oncology support programs. Ms. Halaby is also a breast cancer survivor who has a passion for self-advocacy. Her approach to informing herself and others is rooted in a combination of data, evidence, and compassion.

Arin Ahlum Hanson, MPH, CHES

Breast Cancer Advocate
Jefferson, MD
Email: arin.ahlum.hanson@gmail.com

Term: April 4, 2022 to November 30, 2025

Ms. Arin Ahlum Hanson has been a dedicated non-profit program director for 17 years. She is proficient in crafting, executing, and evaluating health initiatives for marginalized communities. She previously directed Living Beyond Breast Cancer's (LBBC's) strategy for engagement and outreach to under-resourced and special populations, health care providers, and volunteers. As LBBC's director of outreach, she managed its Young Women's Initiative, which provides educational programs, resources, and support services to women diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45 and educational offerings to health care providers who serve this unique patient population. Ms. Hanson lives a dual city and country life in West Philadelphia and rural Maryland, with her husband and son.

Samantha Lynn Heller, PhD, MD, FSBI

Associate Professor of Radiology
Perlmutter Cancer Center
New York University School of Medicine
New York, NY
Email: Samantha.Heller@nyulangone.org

Term: March 31, 2022 to November 30, 2025

Dr. Samantha Lynn Heller is an associate professor of radiology in the Breast Imaging section at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. She is committed to improving screening outcomes and utilization as well as breast imaging specificity. Dr. Heller is the associate section chief of breast imaging and a director for radiology quality and safety at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Heller graduated from Harvard College and received her doctorate in English literature at Columbia University. She obtained her medical degree from Weill Cornell Medical School followed by an internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering and radiology residency and fellowship training at NYU. After her fellowship, she worked as a breast radiologist in the United Kingdom in the National Health South West London Breast Cancer Screening Service before joining the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.

Michael A. Howard, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery
Northwestern Medicine
Division of Plastic Surgery
Lake Forest, IL
Email: michael.howard@nm.org

Term: May 14, 2021 to November 30, 2024

Dr. Michael A. Howard is the clinical associate professor of surgery in the Division of Plastic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon. His practice focuses on reconstructive and aesthetic breast surgery. Dr. Howard's innovative techniques and experience with reconstruction following nipple-sparing mastectomy led to an invitation to co-lead a recurring instructional course for plastic surgeons on this topic at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' annual meeting. Dr. Howard devotes significant time to education and clinical research. Outside of his medical practice, in keeping with his family's own experience with breast cancer and the breast cancer (BRCA) gene, Dr. Howard serves on the medical expert panel at Bright Pink, an organization focused on young women at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.

Leigh Hurst

Founder and Executive Director
Feel Your Boobies Foundation®
Harrisburg, PA
Email: leigh@feelyourboobies.com

Term: May 13, 2021 to November 30, 2024

Ms. Leigh Hurst is the founder and executive director of the Feel Your Boobies Foundation. She is a recognized leader in breast cancer advocacy and a noted social entrepreneur. She is a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed at age 33. Her organization, founded in 2004, was the first to focus on the innovative use of technology and social media to promote proactive breast health in young women. Ms. Hurst is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of design experience and a deep expertise in eLearning, business, and management consulting. She has a unique pedagogical understanding of both cognitive and behavioral learning sciences and their application to technology solutions that create behavior change.

Jennifer Rose Klemp, PhD, MPH, MA

Director of Cancer Survivorship
The University of Kansas Cancer Center
Westwood, KS
Email: jklemp@kumc.edu

Term: November 27, 2023 to November 30, 2026

Dr. Jennifer Rose Klemp is a professor of medicine in the Division of Medical Oncology, the director of cancer survivorship, and the co-program leader for cancer prevention and control at The University of Kansas Cancer Center. Her clinical research practice focuses on cancer genetics and cancer survivorship. Dr. Klemp serves on several national boards, is a subject matter expert in cancer genetics and survivorship, and has peer-reviewed funding. She has presented nationally on cancer genetics, shared decision-making regarding options to manage cancer risk and survivorship issues (including lifestyle modification), and the development and implementation of cancer genetics, survivorship, and navigation programming. In addition to her roles at The University of Kansas Medical Center, she is the Vice President of Global Biopharma Business Development Lead, Biopharma Trials and Networks, at Caris Life Sciences.

Maryam B. Lustberg, MD, MPH

Associate Professor
Yale School of Public Health
Department of Internal Medicine
Yale Cancer Center
New Haven, CT
Email: maryam.lustberg@yale.edu

Term: April 18, 2022 to November 30, 2025

Dr. Maryam B. Lustberg is a breast medical oncologist. She serves as chief of breast oncology and director of the Breast Center at Yale Cancer Center in New Haven, Connecticut. She is the co-chair of symptom intervention for Alliance Clinical Trials and president of MASCC, an international organization devoted to improving cancer supportive care. She treats men and women with all stages of breast cancer with a focus on personalizing all aspects of cancer care. Dr. Lustberg received her medical degree from the University of Maryland, where she completed her residency. She completed a fellowship in medical oncology and breast medical oncology at Ohio State University before joining the faculty in 2010. She earned a master's degree in public health from Ohio State University in 2013.

Melissa A. Peters, CPO, MSPO

Survivor, Founder, Executive Director
Young Breast Cancer Project
Sisters, OR
Email: missy@youngbreastcancer.org

Term: March 31, 2022 to November 30, 2024

Ms. Melissa A. Peters is a breast cancer survivor and founder and executive director of the nonprofit Young Breast Cancer Project. At 34, with no family history of disease, Ms. Peters faced a delayed diagnosis of 11 months while pregnant. Her primary care physician, obstetrician, and radiologist did not express concerns about her breast health. Four days before giving birth, she was diagnosed with stage IIB invasive ductal carcinoma, and soon learned that she has the BRCA1 gene. While in treatment, she started photographing other young women to raise awareness. Through this work, titled the Breast Cancer Portrait Project, Ms. Peters captured 100 diagnosis stories of adolescent and young adult breast cancer. Her efforts have evolved into community-based research to quantify why women are slipping through the cracks.

Jasmine Dionne Souers

President and Chief Executive Officer
The Missing Pink
Jacksonville, FL
Email: jasmines@themissingpink.org

Term: November 27, 2023 to November 30, 2026

Ms. Jasmine Souers is a passionate advocate for young women and people of color affected by breast cancer. Diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26 in 2016, Ms. Souers turned her pain into purpose through volunteerism and advocacy. She co-founded For the Breast of Us, the first inclusive breast cancer community for all women of color. Today, she is the CEO of The Missing Pink Breast Cancer Alliance, connecting change agents to improve the lives of people of color affected by breast cancer. She is a board member for GRASP and lends her experiences and expertise to organizations such as Young Survival Coalition, Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the Black Women's Health Imperative, and the American Cancer Society's National Breast Cancer Roundtable.

Brooke Vuong, MD, MHA, FACS

Surgical Oncologist
Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center
Sacramento, CA
Email: brooke.vuong@kp.org

Term: March 19, 2024 to November 30, 2027

Dr. Brooke Vuong is board-certified in general surgery and complex general surgical oncology. She has a dual appointment as the lead breast surgeon at Kaiser Permanente (KP) South Sacramento Medical Center and a hepatobiliary surgeon at KP Sacramento Medical Center. She serves on the KP Oncology Clinical Trials Steering Committee to increase patient access to important clinical trials. Dr. Vuong also conducts outcomes and large database research. Her current research focuses on outcomes for young women with breast cancer. She and her colleagues are developing a database of more than 1,600 ethnically diverse women younger than 40, detailing their treatment patterns and oncologic outcomes. Her previous research focused on safe, same-day discharge for women undergoing mastectomy. She is a graduate of Occidental College and the University of California, Davis School of Medicine. She completed her residency at KP Los Angeles Medical Center and surgical oncology fellowship at John Wayne Cancer Institute.

Ex-officio members

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Kisha I. Coa, PhD

Dr. Kisha I. Coa is the director of the Division of Priority Populations in the Office of Extramural Research, Education, and Priority Populations at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Prior to joining AHRQ, Dr. Coa was a program officer at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, where she oversaw a portfolio of comparative clinical effectiveness research studies focused on health disparities and health systems. Previously, she conducted research in the areas of digital health, cancer control, health behavior change, and health communications. Dr. Coa earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh, an MPH in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, and a PhD in social and behavioral sciences from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health

Vacant

Health Resources and Services Administration

Bethany Applebaum, MPH, MA

Ms. Bethany Applebaum is the acting director of the Health Resources and Services Administration's Office of Women's Health. She has a broad range of high-level programmatic and policy experience, having worked on many programs for the Health Resources and Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services throughout her career. Ms. Applebaum holds master's degrees in public health, applied anthropology, and second language acquisition and application from the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as a bachelor's degree in modern languages and literatures from Kenyon College.

Indian Health Service

Vacant

National Institutes of Health

Jung-Min Lee, MD

Dr. Jung-Min Lee is the assistant clinical investigator in the Women's Malignancies Branch of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Lee is a graduate of Yonsei University, Wonju College of Medicine in South Korea. She completed residency training in internal medicine at Albert Einstein Medical College, followed by a clinical research fellowship on breast cancer functional imaging at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Lee came to the National Cancer Institute for medical oncology training in the Medical Oncology Branch. Subsequently, she joined the Molecular Signaling Section of the Women's Cancers Clinic to investigate potential biomarkers and develop rational combinations of targeted therapies for rare subsets of women's cancers. Dr. Lee maintains her clinical focus in the development of early clinical trials for ovarian cancer and rare subsets of women's cancers, such as BRCA1/2 mutation carriers with ovarian and breast cancers, or women with triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Lee is a member of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, American Association for Cancer Research, American Society for Clinical Oncology, and the Breast and Gynecologic Malignancies Faculty of the National Cancer Institute's Center for Cancer Research.

Liaison representatives

American Cancer Society

Vacant

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Myrlene Jeudy, MD

Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
1250 East Marshall Street, 6th Floor
PO Box 980034
Richmond, VA 23298
Phone: 804-828-7877
Fax: 804-628-3585
Email: myjeudy@gmail.com

Black Women's Health Imperative

Vacant

Breastcancer.org

Lisa N. Kline

Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Breastcancer.org
40 E. Montgomery Avenue, 4th Floor
Ardmore, PA 19003
Phone: 610-642-6550
Fax: 610-642-6559
Email: lkline@breastcancer.org

Bright Pink

Lindsay Avner

Founder and Chairman of the Board
Bright Pink
2045 W Grand Avenue, Suite B #54599
Chicago, IL 60612-1577
Phone: 312-787-4412
Email: Lindsay@BeBrightPink.org

FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Verinda Hobbs

Partnership Strategy Manager
FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered
16057 Tampa Palms Boulevard W., PMB #373
Tampa, FL 33647
Phone: 954-255-8732
Email: verindah@facingourrisk.org

Living Beyond Breast Cancer

Arin Ahlum Hanson, MPH, CHES

Current Committee Member

The National Patient Advocate Foundation

Shonta Chambers, MSW

Executive Vice President, Health Equity Initiatives and Programs
Patient Advocate Foundation
421 Butler Farm Road
Hampton, VA 72366
Phone: 757-952-2544
Fax: 757-952-2533
Email: Shonta.Chambers@patientadvocate.org

Sharsheret

Adina Fleischmann, LSW, OSW-C

Chief Services Officer
Sharsheret
1086 Teaneck Road, Site 2G
Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-833-2341
Fax: 201-837-5025
Email: afleischmann@sharsheret.org

Sisters Network, Inc.

Vacant

Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Susan Brown, MS, RN

Senior Director, Education & Patient Support
Susan G. Komen
5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 526
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone: 972-855-1635
Email: sbrown@komen.org

Tigerlily Foundation

Maimah S. Karmo

Chief Executive Officer
Tigerlily Foundation
11654 Plaza America Drive, #725
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: 888-580-6253
Fax: 703-663-9844
Email: maimah@tigerlilyfoundation.org

Young Survival Coalition

Jennifer Merschdorf, MBA

Chief Executive Officer
Young Survival Coalition
80 Broad Street, Suite 1700
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 646-257-3001
Fax: 646-257-3030
Email: jmerschdorf@youngsurvival.org

Liaison representative organizations

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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Division of Cancer Prevention and Control