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Board of Directors

Valarie

Ricki Fairley

CEO and Co-Founder of TOUCH

As a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor/Thriver, Ricki’s personal purpose, passion, mission, ministry, and blessing is to bring focus, attention, research, science, and action to eradicating Black Breast Cancer, and supporting and coaching what she calls her “Breasties” through their breast cancer experience.

Ricki is an award-winning seasoned marketing veteran that has transformed her strategic acumen into breast cancer advocacy. Ricki co-founded and serves as CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance to address Black Breast Cancer as a unique and special disease state, with the overall goal of reducing the mortality rate for Black women. Ricki founded and serves as co-host for “The Doctor Is In,” a weekly live breast cancer advocacy web series on the BlackDoctor.org Facebook page that reaches over 3 million viewers. She is a founding member of #BlackDataMatters, in partnership with Ciitizen, The Center for Health Care Innovation, and Morehouse School of Medicine to encourage and elevate the importance of Black Women participating in clinical trial research. In January 2022, she started the When We Tri(al) Movement to change the game on Black women participating in clinical trials to improve outcomes for Black women with breast cancer.

Ricki serves on the Board of Trustees for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation where she chairs the marketing committee. She is a board member for the Center for Healthcare Innovation, a non-profit research and educational institute making healthcare more equitable. She avidly works with pharmaceutical companies to provide the patient voice for breast cancer awareness, action, therapy/drug development and advocacy.

Ricki has two daughters, Amanda Brown Lierman and Hayley Brown, and 3 granddaughters, Belle, Leia, and Hart, who remind her of her purpose every day. Ricki is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

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Ricki

Valarie Worthy, MSN, RN

Co-Founder and Community Life Saver

A registered nurse with a master’s degree in Leadership: Community Health Systems has been a nurse for over 38 years. Patient Navigation, public, community and home infusion nursing summarizes her nursing career. Valarie, a 21-year breast cancer survivor understands the unique needs of cancer patients and their families. She works collaboratively with cancer centers around the nation to address the needs of African American women with breast cancer. Valarie understands the importance of good health and has a passion for getting the word out to the community about early detection and good health practices.

In 2003, she along with five breast cancer survivors organized the local chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., a survivorship organization for African American women with breast cancer. Additionally, Valarie and four other North Carolina breast cancer survivors’ stories on detection, treatment and survival are featured on a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation educational kiosk. This kiosk along with a Button chair (buttons of breast cancer survivors) exhibit travels throughout North Carolina.

In addition to the abovementioned, Valarie is active in her hometown, local community and church raising awareness about cancer. A recipient of numerous awards, Valarie received the American Cancer Society’s Lane Adams Quality of Life Award, which recognizes the unsung heroes of cancer care and are referred to as the “warm hand of service.” The award brings to light the critical role that outstanding caregivers play in the healing process.

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Tonneta Drummond

With over 20 years of experience in the area of accounting and auditing, Tonneta has been working in state government with non-profit organizations, state and local agencies, and both educational and healthcare institutions. She received Bachelors of Accounting from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a native of Mount Vernon, New York and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.

“The Doctor Is In,” a weekly live web series on the BlackDoctor.org Facebook page that reaches over 3 million viewers. She is a founding member of #BlackDataMatters, in partnership withBreastcancer.org, Ciitizen, The Center for Health Care Innovation, Morehouse School of Medicine and Susan G. Komen Foundation to encourage and elevate the importance of Black Women participating in clinical trial research.

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Joseph Jacobs Esq.

Joe Jacobs started his career in 1984 practicing law with Hannoch Weisman, in Newark, New Jersey. In 1988 he formed his own law firm in Atlantic City. His firm became the largest minority owned and operated firm in Atlantic City. Joe Jacobs is also a Municipal Bond Attorney. In addition to providing legal representation to large developing firms, he has represented many public bodies in New Jersey. Currently, Joe Jacobs invests his time and energy in his outdoor advertising firm, which has gained the reputation of being the most successful minority owned and operated outdoor advertising sign developers in the nation.

Mr. Jacobs has served on numerous boards, such as, the Atlantic City Fine Arts commission, The Atlantic City Medical Center and the Supreme Court of New Jersey District Fee Arbitration Committee (Chairman) to name a few. He currently serves on the Linwood City Board of Education.

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Victoria Stewart

“I am so happy to be a part of an organization that reaches out to women in such a personal way. I can’t wait to see Touch take a prominent role as a support organization for black breast cancer awareness and patient support”.

Victoria is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan Law School. She is a seasoned corporate attorney with significant experience in Litigation, Commercial Transactions, and Data Privacy. Throughout her 40-year legal career, she has held various positions of increasing responsibility in corporations and state governing authorities.

Currently, Victoria is serving as Senior Advisory Counsel for Ford Motor Company’s global Data Privacy Legal Team. In her free time, Victoria provides free legal advice to family and friends and volunteers with organizations that provide support to the underserved community—such as Family First, an organization that provides food and counseling services to inner-city families.

Currently, Victoria is serving as Senior Advisory Counsel for Ford Motor Company’s global Data Privacy Legal Team. In her free time, Victoria provides free legal advice to family and friends and volunteers with organizations that provide support to the underserved community—such as Family First, an organization that provides food and counseling services to inner-city families.

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Medical Advisory Board

Dr. Monique Gary, DO, MSc, FACS

“As a physician, advocate and expert on health and healthcare disparities, I am passionate about developing integrative, holistic and innovative approaches to cancer treatment, prevention and general wellness both in our region and throughout the world.”

Dr. Monique Gary is the Medical Director of Grand View Health (GVH)/Penn Cancer Network Cancer Program, where she also serves as the Director of their NAPBC-accredited Breast Program. During her tenure, the Breast Program achieved the designation of Center of Excellence for minimally invasive Hidden Scar techniques and Oncoplastic breast surgery. In addition, Dr. Gary founded and now directs the Cancer Genetics and Risk Assessment Program at GVH.

In tandem with her clinical leadership roles, Dr. Gary holds Clinical Associate faculty positions in surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn Medicine, and University of North Texas Health Sciences/Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX. She sits on the boards of several organizations including the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Cancer WHO?, and BEBASHI Transition to Hope.

Dr. Gary earned both her M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and DO from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She went on to complete a residency in general surgery at UMass/Berkshire Medical Center and a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
During her tenure, the Breast Program achieved the designation of Center of Excellence for minimally invasive Hidden Scar techniques and Oncoplastic breast surgery. In addition, Dr. Gary founded and now directs the Cancer Genetics and Risk Assessment Program at GVH.
In tandem with her clinical leadership roles, Dr. Gary holds Clinical Associate faculty positions in surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn Medicine, and University of North Texas Health Sciences/Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX. She sits on the boards of several organizations including the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Cancer WHO?, and BEBASHI Transition to Hope.
Dr. Gary earned both her M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and DO from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She went on to complete a residency in general surgery at UMass/Berkshire Medical Center and a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
During her tenure, the Breast Program achieved the designation of Center of Excellence for minimally invasive Hidden Scar techniques and Oncoplastic breast surgery. In addition, Dr. Gary founded and now directs the Cancer Genetics and Risk Assessment Program at GVH.

In tandem with her clinical leadership roles, Dr. Gary holds Clinical Associate faculty positions in surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Penn Medicine, and University of North Texas Health Sciences/Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, TX. She sits on the boards of several organizations including the American Society of Breast Surgeons, Cancer Support Community of Greater Philadelphia, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Cancer WHO?, and BEBASHI Transition to Hope.

Dr. Gary earned both her M.Sc. in Molecular Biology and DO from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She went on to complete a residency in general surgery at UMass/Berkshire Medical Center and a fellowship in Breast Surgical Oncology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.

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Dr. Lina Romero, MD

“As a biracial provider-survivor, I am dismayed by the fact that Black women in the US are 42% more likely to die of breast cancer than their white counterparts. I look forward to collaborating with Ricki Fairley and Touch BBCA in our mission to advance health equity through inclusivity and diversity in research. Together we strive to eliminate barriers in our healthcare system to ensure equal access to quality breast cancer care for diverse populations.”

Dr. Lina Romero, MD is a multicultural breast cancer surgeon and a breast cancer survivor. Having been both clinician and patient, Dr. Romero is uniquely positioned to identify barriers, advocate for health equity, and educate patients and doctors alike. She currently serves as a Medical Advisor to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

In her previous position as the Director of the Breast Center at Kaiser Los Angeles, Dr. Romero opened the first dedicated Breast Center in the Southern California Kaiser Permanente medical system. She also established a multidisciplinary clinic for patients with an increased risk of breast cancer as well as implementing a novel biopsy notification system that significantly decreased the wait time from biopsy to notification of results with 100% patient satisfaction. Her work has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals such as American Surgeon, Archives of Surgery, Current Treatment Options in Oncology, and the Journal of Surgical Research.

Dr. Lina Romero, MD is a multicultural breast cancer surgeon and a breast cancer survivor. Having been both clinician and patient, Dr. Romero is uniquely positioned to identify barriers, advocate for health equity, and educate patients and doctors alike. She currently serves as a Medical Advisor to the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

In her previous position as the Director of the Breast Center at Kaiser Los Angeles, Dr. Romero opened the first dedicated Breast Center in the Southern California Kaiser Permanente medical system. She also established a multidisciplinary clinic for patients with an increased risk of breast cancer as well as implementing a novel biopsy notification system that significantly decreased the wait time from biopsy to notification of results with 100% patient satisfaction. Her work has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals such as American Surgeon, Archives of Surgery, Current Treatment Options in Oncology, and the Journal of Surgical Research.

Dr. Romero earned her MD from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where she received the Calvin Fentress Research Fellowship Award. She went on to complete a residency at the Harbor - UCLA Medical Center and a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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Dr. Regina Hampton MD, FACS

"We have to provide access to state of the art mammography and trusted health information in order to change the poor outcomes in breast cancer for African American women."

Dr. Regina Hampton is a board-certified general surgeon who has focused her career around breast health and breast cancer.

She is the founding Medical Director of the Breast Care Center at Doctors Community Medical Center (Luminis Health) in Maryland, where she also serves as the first female President of the Medical Staff in the 40-year history of the hospital. Throughout her career, Dr. Hampton has worked tirelessly to ensure that mammograms are a basic human right, acting as the Project Director for a Susan G. Komen grant that provided mammograms for uninsured women in Prince Georges County as well as the Medical Director and co-Founder of Breast Care for Washington, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to providing access to mammograms regardless of the ability to pay. The facility is the first 3D mammography facility east of the Anacostia in Ward 8, which has the highest mortality rate of breast cancer in the District of Columbia.

Alongside her clinical leadership, Dr. Hampton co-founded Cherry Blossom intimates—a breast health facility and intimates boutique that specializes in insurance-friendly, post-mastectomy prosthetics and bras—where she now serves as the Executive Vice President and a Certified Mastectomy Fitter. Dr. Hampton chairs the Breast Cancer Tumor Board and serves on advisory boards for the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the State of Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer.

After earning her MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Hampton completed a general surgery residency at Howard University Hospital as well as an oncology research fellowship at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
After earning her MD from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Hampton completed a general surgery residency at Howard University Hospital as well as an oncology research fellowship at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Alongside her clinical leadership, Dr. Hampton co-founded Cherry Blossom intimates—a breast health facility and intimates boutique that specializes in insurance-friendly, post-mastectomy prosthetics and bras—where she now serves as the Executive Vice President and a Certified Mastectomy Fitter. Dr. Hampton chairs the Breast Cancer Tumor Board and serves on advisory boards for the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the State of Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer.
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Dr. Melissa Davis, PhD

‘The Power of Inclusion’ is transformative! Inclusion of ethnic minorities in cancer research will transform cancer care and is absolutely required to truly understand this disease.

Dr. Melissa Davis is a faculty member of the Department of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, where she heads the Davis lab and serves as Scientific Director of the International Center for the Study of Breast Cancer Subtypes, founded by Dr. Lisa Newman.

Among their molecular genetics and genomics research projects, the Davis Lab researches the genetic specificities of Black Breast Cancer in order to inform and facilitate a precision medicine approach to treatment.

Outside of her myriad roles at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Davis also holds adjunct faculty positions in the Department of Genetics at the University of Georgia in Athens and in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.

Dr. Davis earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Georgia and went on to complete multiple postdoctoral fellowships in Functional Genomics and Systems Biology in the departments of Human Genetics at Yale School of Medicine and the University of Chicago. During that time, she also trained at the U-Chicago Center for Interdisciplinary Health Disparities.
Outside of her myriad roles at Weill Cornell Medicine, Dr. Davis also holds adjunct faculty positions in the Department of Genetics at the University of Georgia in Athens and in the Department of Population Health Sciences at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.
Dr. Davis earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Georgia and went on to complete multiple postdoctoral fellowships in Functional Genomics and Systems Biology in the departments of Human Genetics at Yale School of Medicine and the University of Chicago. During that time, she also trained at the U-Chicago Center for Interdisciplinary Health Disparities.
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Dr. Ogori Kalu, MD, MS

“The amount of advanced breast cancer, and disproportionately high mortality rates I have seen prompted me to dedicate my career to investigate and decrease breast health disparities within communities of color. I believe that the key to narrowing the black-white breast cancer mortality gap is by community outreach with breast health education and increasing the number of screening mammograms in the community. Through clinical and community-based partnerships, breast health inequities can be decreased.”

Dr. Ogori Kalu is a breast cancer surgeon and breast health specialist who works with local minority communities in the Greater NY/NJ area. She has served as the Medical Director of both the Breast Center at Hackensack University Medical Center-Mountainside in Montclair and the Breast Surgery Program at Rutgers NJ Medical School-University Hospital in Newark.

Dr. Kalu serves as a member of the TigerLily Foundation Medical Advisory Board and as an Executive Board Member at the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. She also acts as Chair of the Breast Cancer Division of the State of New Jersey Governor's Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment.

After earning both her MS in Biochemistry and her MD from New York Medical College, Dr. Kalu completed her residency in General Surgery at The State University of New York Health Sciences—Downstate Medical Center. She went on to complete a Breast Surgical Oncology fellowship at Stanford University. She has published in numerous medical and surgical journals as well as presented at national and international medical conferences on the topic of breast cancer and healthcare disparities.

Dr. Kalu serves as a member of the TigerLily Foundation Medical Advisory Board and as an Executive Board Member at the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. She also acts as Chair of the Breast Cancer Division of the State of New Jersey Governor's Task Force on Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment.

After earning both her MS in Biochemistry and her MD from New York Medical College, Dr. Kalu completed her residency in General Surgery at The State University of New York Health Sciences—Downstate Medical Center. She went on to complete a Breast Surgical Oncology fellowship at Stanford University. She has published in numerous medical and surgical journals as well as presented at national and international medical conferences on the topic of breast cancer and healthcare disparities.

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Candace Love, RN, MSN, FNP-BC

“Health care should be a basic human need just like water, food, and air!”

Candace Love, CRNP, FNP-BC is a retired Nurse Practitioner with a well established career in nursing. She has worked across settings, namely: Ambulatory Care Setting- NP- Kaiser Permanente; Research - NP- National Institute of Health- National Heart Lung Blood Institute; Hospitals- RN- Operating Room- PACU - Holy Cross- Washington Hospital Center. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, she has worked in collaboration with physicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and researchers to admit, assess, evaluate, and treat patients in the following departments: Internal Medicine, Chronic Disease, Orthopedics, Family Practice, Patient Education and Evaluation, and Translational Medicine.

As a Research Nurse Practitioner, she admitted patients to participate in clinical trials among her other duties. The MILES Trial—for which Candace was on the Research Team as Dr. Joel Moss' Nurse Practitioner—was published in NEJM in 2011. In this research setting, Candace was responsible for patient histories and physicals, as well as presenting labs results, X-ray findings, and other data collected in rounds attended by the admitting physician, researchers, post-baccalaureates, and medical students. Candace Love earned her Associates, Bachelors, and Masters (Family Nurse Practitioner) degrees in Nursing at Marymount College of Virginia (now Marymount University). She is currently a volunteer with the Maryland Medical Reserve Core.

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Dr. Sara Horton, MD

Dr. Sara Horton is a board-certified Medical Oncologist who currently serves as the Executive Director of Access and Diversity for Quantum Leap Healthcare, a non-profit organization that focuses on the support of breast cancer clinical trials. She also holds an Affiliate Associate Professorship at Howard University Cancer Center and serves as a medical oncologist for the Howard University Cancer Center Transdisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic.

Dr. Horton has dedicated her career to improving disparities in cancer outcomes and increasing diversity in clinical trials. She has over 20 years of oncology experience in academia, clinical practice, regulatory medicine at the FDA and advocacy. She has held several leadership roles at Howard University Hospital, previously serving as their Chief of Hematology and Oncology, Director of Cancer Clinical Trials, and Associate Program Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship program. She has published multiple papers on disparities in cancer outcomes in African American patients. At the FDA, she served as a Medical Officer reviewing clinical trials for breast cancer therapies and co-founded an Oncology Diversity Working Group.
Dr. Horton completed her Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Georgetown University Lombardi Cancer Center. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband, daughter and 2 wonderful rescue pups, Pixie and Mia.”

In addition to her current positions, Dr. Horton has a marked history of leadership at Howard University Hospital, previously serving as their Director of Clinical Trials and Chief of Hematology and Oncology.

Moreover, as a Medical Officer for the FDA in their Office of Hematology and Oncology Products, Dr. Horton focused on the evaluation of new breast cancer medications.

Dr. Horton earned her MD from Wright State University School of Medicine and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at The Good Samaritan Hospital. She then pursued a hematology and oncology fellowship followed by a post fellowship in breast cancer research, both at Georgetown University/Lombardi Cancer Center.

In addition to her current positions, Dr. Horton has a marked history of leadership at Howard University Hospital, previously serving as their Director of Clinical Trials and Chief of Hematology and Oncology. Moreover, as a Medical Officer for the FDA in their Office of Hematology and Oncology Products, Dr. Horton focused on the evaluation of new breast cancer medications.

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Dr. Aisha Chilcoat, ND, FABNO, IFMCP

Dr. Aisha Chilcoat is a Naturopathic Doctor who earned her doctorate degree from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. She completed several advanced trainings in Environmental Medicine and a two-year naturopathic oncology residency at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Southwestern Regional Medical Center in Tulsa, OK. In addition, Dr. Chilcoat holds advanced distinction as a certified practitioner from the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFMCP), and as a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO).
Dr. Chilcoat is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Integrative Medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
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Dr. Kimberly Curseen, MD

Dr. Kimberly Curseen is the director of Supportive and Palliative Care Outpatient Services for Emory Healthcare and serves as the director and the primary provider for the Supportive Oncology Clinic at Winship Cancer Institute. Dr. Curseen also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, she is part of the clinical care team providing physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients with cancer at any point in their disease process, and assisting patients with complex decision making.

Prior to joining Emory, Dr. Curseen served as the program developer and director of Geriatric Palliative Care Clinical Services Program at University of Arkansas. Dr. Curseen completed her medical school training at Virginia Commonwealth University and her Internal Medicine Residency at Yale University.

She completed fellowship training in Geriatrics and Palliative Care at University Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Curseen was named a Palliative Medicine Inspirational Leader under 40 by the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine in 2014-2015. She was listed as one of Atlanta's "Top Doctors" by Atlanta Magazine in 2020.

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Dr. Oluwadamilola "Lola" Fayanju, MD, MA, MPHS

Dr. Lola Fayanju is an academic breast surgical oncologist who conducts health services research focused on addressing disparities in breast cancer outcome and treatment as well as improving the quality and efficiency of breast cancer care delivery using the principles of value-based health care.

Currently, Dr. Fayanju serves as the Surgical Director at Rena Rowan Breast Center and the Chief of Breast Surgery at Penn Medicine. She holds academic positions as a Helen O. Dickens Presidential Associate Professor and an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Fayanju also acts as a fellow at both the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation (PC3I) and at The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI).

Dr. Fayanju earned a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature from Harvard alongside her medical degree and a master of population health sciences (MPHS) from Washington University in St. Louis (where she also completed her residency in general surgery). She completed fellowship training in Breast Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Over the course of her career, Dr. Fayanju has published widely with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Dr. Fayanju earned a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature from Harvard alongside her medical degree and a master of population health sciences (MPHS) from Washington University in St. Louis (where she also completed her residency in general surgery). She completed fellowship training in Breast Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Over the course of her career, Dr. Fayanju has published widely with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

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Dr. Barbara Brown, Ph.D.

We believe that psychotherapy is one of the most precious gifts you can give yourself. It is the process of self-discovery, self-enlightenment, and self-empowerment. We focus on the whole person and the bio-psycho-social-spiritual aspects of the self." Dr. Brown is the owner and founder of Capitol Hill Consortium for Counseling & Consultation LLC, also known as CCCC, formerly known as Family Assistance in Coping with Trauma and Stress, F.A.C.T.S. PLLC. Dr. Brown is an honors graduate of Wellesley College and received her doctorate degree in psychology from Boston University.

Dr. Wilson has worked tirelessly to leverage her own journey to better serve patients and share her firsthand perspective with surgical residents. Dr. Wilson serves as a Susan G. Komen African American Health Equity Initiative Ambassador, the spokeswoman for the ‘Know Your Girls’ campaign, and has been profiled in Essence magazine and The New York Times.

Dr. Wilson earned her MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She went on to complete a research fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, as well as an internship and residency at Howard University Hospital. She was honored as the Chief Administrative Surgical Oncology Fellow at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

Dr. Wilson earned her MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She went on to complete a research fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, as well as an internship and residency at Howard University Hospital. She was honored as the Chief Administrative Surgical Oncology Fellow at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

Dr. Lori Wilson, MD

We were honored and blessed for Dr. Lori Wilson to serve on our medical advisory board from 2021–2022. Her legacy—from medical excellence to fierce patient advocacy—touched every single person in the breast cancer space.

Dr. Lori Wilson was the Division Chief of Surgical Oncology, the Program Director of the General Surgery Residency, and a Professor of Surgery at Howard University. Her work focused on discovering novel biomarkers and elucidating the causes for disparities in clinical outcomes. In 2013, Dr. Wilson was diagnosed with two different types of breast cancer. Her treatment experience was documented in “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies.”

Dr. Wilson has worked tirelessly to leverage her own journey to better serve patients and share her firsthand perspective with surgical residents. Dr. Wilson serves as a Susan G. Komen African American Health Equity Initiative Ambassador, the spokeswoman for the ‘Know Your Girls’ campaign, and has been profiled in Essence magazine and The New York Times.

Dr. Wilson earned her MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She went on to complete a research fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, as well as an internship and residency at Howard University Hospital. She was honored as the Chief Administrative Surgical Oncology Fellow at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

Dr. Wilson earned her MD from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She went on to complete a research fellowship at the University of Cincinnati, as well as an internship and residency at Howard University Hospital. She was honored as the Chief Administrative Surgical Oncology Fellow at the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

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Wendy Garvin Mayo, APRN, ANP-BC

“Black women your participation is clinical trials are like laying bricks on a path to advancing science that will forever impact Black lives”

Wendy Garvin Mayo is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, Stress Solution Strategist, International Speaker, #1 Best Selling Author, and Certified John Maxwell Trainer and Coach with 20+ years experience in the healthcare industry. She has thrived in a number of roles in various nursing sectors including clinical, leadership, research, academia, and pharmaceuticals. Mrs. Mayo currently serves as an Associate Director, Oncology Clinical Scientist, at Janssen Research and Development where she also leads a diversity in clinical trials steering committee with the goal of increasing the number of minorities enrolled in oncology clinical trials.

Mrs. Mayo is also a serial entrepreneur having launched several initiatives and continues to serve healthcare organizations. She is the Founder of SHAPE Partners, a collection of resources to support cancer caregivers and the Host of the weekly Nurse Wellness Podcast. Mrs. Mayo is also the CEO of The Stress Blueprint, a personal and professional development firm that empowers individuals and organizations to optimize their health, wellness, and overall well-being through stress management. Lastly, she sits on the Daily Life and Workplace Stress Board for the American Institute of Stress.

Dr. Fayanju earned a Master of Arts in Comparative Literature from Harvard alongside her medical degree and a master of population health sciences (MPHS) from Washington University in St. Louis (where she also completed her residency in general surgery). She completed fellowship training in Breast Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Over the course of her career, Dr. Fayanju has published widely with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

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Candice Thompson, MD

Dr. Thompson is originally from Orlando, Florida, where she graduated as valedictorian from William R. Boone High School. She graduated from Howard University with degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics, summa cum laude. She attended Howard University College of Medicine, followed by General surgery residency at Medstar Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center. She has always been passionate about breast health and breast care, and participated in several research projects, including looking at the rates of reconstruction after breast surgery in Black women, and analyzing the Oncologic Safety of Two-stage Nipple Sparing Mastectomies. She has completed her breast surgery fellowship at Stanford University and will be a breast surgical oncologist at Stanford Emeryville and ValleyCare, starting in October. She is interested in addressing healthcare disparities in breast cancer.

Karen Godette, MD​

Karen Godette, MD, has served as medical director of the radiation oncology department at Emory University Hospital Midtown since 2001. Dr. Godette is board certified in radiation oncology and a clinical member of Winship Cancer Institute and Emory Proton Therapy Center. Her practice sees patients with breast malignancies, prostate cancer and soft tissue sarcoma.

Dr. Godette played a central role in creating a radiation oncology residency program at Emory. She served for 10 years as director of the residency program. She has also served as the medical director and advisor for the Grady Radiation Therapy Technology School since 1998. She is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Connective Tissue Oncology Society, American Medical Women's Association, American Board of Radiology and National Medical Association, where she served as chair of the radiology section from 2005-2007. Dr. Godette was listed as one of Atlanta Magazine's "Top Doctors" in 2016 through 2022.

Dr. Godette received her MS and MD degrees from Howard University in Washington, DC, where she also completed a year-long transitional internship. She completed residency in radiation oncology at Columbia University New York- Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as chief resident.

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