Speaker Bios
Charles
E. Argoff, MD
Charles E. Argoff, MD, is a Professor of Neurology at Albany Medical
College and the Director of the Comprehensive Pain Program of Albany
Medical Center.
Dr. Argoff is board certified in pain medicine and neurology and is a
member of the American Pain Society, the quality standards subcommittee of
American Academy of Neurology, International Association for the Study of
Pain, National Headache Foundation, American Society of
Neurorehabilitation, American Academy of Pain Medicine, and International
Headache Society. His research interests include the use of topical
analgesics for pain management, the use of botulinum toxin for the
pharmacologic management of chronic pain, and the development of treatment
guidelines for these and other therapies.
Dr. Argoff is the author of numerous articles that have been published in
the Journal of the American Osteopath Association, Neurosurgery, and
Neurology, among others. He serves on the editorial board of the Clinical
Journal of Pain and is a reviewer for the Journal of Pain, Journal of the
America Medical Association, Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain, and Journal
of Pain and Symptom Management. After earning his medical degree from
Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Argoff
completed a medicine internship and neurology residency at the State
University of New York at Stony Brook Medical School, followed by a
fellowship in developmental and metabolic neurology at the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes
of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
Patricia
Bruckenthal, PhD, APRN-BC is a Clinical Associate Professor in the
Department of Adult Health in the Stony Brook University School of
Nursing, where she has taught for more than 15 years. She is also a nurse
practitioner at the Pain and Headache Treatment Center of the North Shore/
Long Island Jewish Health Care System, Manhasset, NY. She received her
undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees at Stony Brook University. Her
doctoral degree was obtained at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
She completed her post doctorate traineeship with the Department of
Psychiatry of the Applied Behavioral Medicine Research Institute at Stony
Brook University.
Dr. Bruckenthal lectures on various pain management topics in the schools
of nursing and medicine at Stony Brook University. She is a Geriatric
Associate of the Long Island Geriatric Education Consortium at Stony Brook
and provides lectures on geriatric pain assessment and management for this
organization. She is a task force member of the pain management education
for physicians’ project for the Medical Society of the State of New York.
Dr. Bruckenthal is a co-investigator on “Coping skills training for
arthritis: An effectiveness trial”. Pilot work from this study resulted in
a NIH R01 grant. She is Principle Investigator on a study identifying
characteristics associated with nurse’s knowledge and attitudes towards
pain and a study comparing two scales to assess pain in the critically
ill, ventilated, non-verbal patient. Recent publications include
"Assessing treatment fidelity in pilot studies assist in designing
clinical trials: An illustration from a nurse practitioner community-based
intervention for pain" and “Use of Controlled Substances to Provide Pain
Relief: Principles of Safe Prescribing for the Nurse Practitioner”. She is
on the editorial board of Pain Management Nursing.
Dr. Bruckenthal has presented at numerous national conferences on pain
management issues and is a member of the Nurse Practitioner Association of
NYS, the American Pain Society, the American Society for Pain Management
Nurses, the Honor Society of Nursing, and the Eastern Nursing Research
Society.
Mary
Languirand, Ph. D., Licensed Psychologist
Mary Languirand received her PhD in clinical psychology from the State
University of New York at Buffalo. She served as Director of the
Psychology Department at Brook Lane Psychiatric Center in Hagerstown, MD,
where she developed a multidisciplinary mental health treatment program
for older adults. In 10 years of full-time private practice in Gettysburg,
PA, she consulted to the PA Disability Determination Service, served on
Gettysburg Hospital's Ethics Committee, and was a member of the board of
the Adams County Agency on Aging.
With husband Dr. Robert Bornstein, she
co-authored "When Someone You Love Needs Nursing Home Care" and "A
Healthy Dependency".
Since moving to Long Island in 2006, she has worked as a consultant for RG
Psychological Services, providing clinical services in skilled nursing
facilities. She also practices privately in Garden City, NY.
Jennifer
Taylor, BSW, HHC, AADP
Is the owner of Empowered Living a holistic wellness practice in East
Hampton, NY. She has a degree in social work and counseling from Gannon
University and is a certified holistic health counselor and wellness
coach. She is a member of the American Association of Drugless
Practitioners. Jennifer was a women’s health coach with actress/author
Marilu Henner on her website Marilu.com for eight years. She is also the
Executive Director of the Nutrition for Wellness Foundation in East
Hampton NY. Jennifer reversed several health conditions by making changes
in her diet and is dedicated to helping people cope with and conquer
disease by using the most powerful weapon: A vibrant healthy plant based
diet.
For many years, researchers have been investigating how food choices can
help prevent cancer and, when cancer has been diagnosed how these choices
can improve survival. While the work is by no means finished, what it has
shown is dramatic. Certain diet patterns seem to have a major effect,
helping people diagnosed with cancer to live longer, healthier lives.
Jennifer will show you some practical steps to use in your own kitchen, at
the grocery store and at restaurants to help reduce your chances of
getting cancer and to improve your changes of triumphing over cancer.
Tildet
Varon Schoenbrot is an empowerment specialist and a life long healer.
She is the founder of Growing With Truth in Long Island, New York. Tildet
holds a degree in Pharmacy, and is a Reiki Master. She has also studied
many different modalities of energy healing with the best teachers. She is
a facilitator of the Demartini Method for Dr. John Demartini from “The
Secret”. As a healer, teacher and inspirational speaker she has a mission
to connect everyone to the magnificence of their being and vibrate with
the love and light they are. She is dedicated to empower people to live
the life they love!
Judith
Jazwinski - Grant, RN, MSN., ANP., OCN., CH.
Is an owner and Co-director of Pathways To Health™, a holistic healing and
education center, in Long Island, New York. Judith is currently Certified
as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. She holds
a Masters in Nursing Science from State University of New York at Stony
Brook, with over 16 years of nursing experience. Judith's background in
nursing began in Long Term Skilled Nursing Care and Medical Oncology. She
maintains a certification in Oncology Nursing from the Oncology Nursing
Society. She has completed advanced education in alternative healing
modalities including Certification as a Clinical Hypnotherapist by the
American Board of Hypnotherapy. Currently, she is completing her doctorate
in Clinical Hypnosis. Formerly the Director of a Sub Acute Care Unit,
Judith was involved with Medical Management and Cardiac Rehab Services.
Her extensive experience in Oncology and Geriatric Medicine has led Judith
to the development of Stress and Pain Management Programs for her
patients, caregivers, and health care professionals. Reaching out to the
communities, she teaches a variety of courses in Integrative Medicine and
lectures nationally and internationally on both Allopathic and Alternative
Healing Approaches to health care.
Monika Zak-Aptekar, M.S. is a senior genetic
counselor at the Division of Human Genetics at Winthrop University
Hospital. She received her Masters Degree in Human Genetics in 1997 from
Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. She has worked together with perinatologists, geneticists, oncologists and surgeons in NYC and Long
Island. She has written abstracts and articles in the field of genetics
and genetic counseling. She is a member of multiple organizations such as
the National Society of Genetic Counselors, the American Society of Human
Genetics and the American College of Medical Genetics.
At present, Ms. Zak-Aptekar runs a cancer genetic program, which offers
genetic counseling and risk assessment for patients with hereditary
predisposition to cancer syndromes. She has received a grant from the NYS
DOH Cancer Services Program for Community-Based Cancer Support Services.
She is currently involved in organizing workshops for patients that offer
cancer related educational activities. She is also involved in education
of medical students and patients as well as training designed to help
health professionals keep current on genetic issues.
Lyle
S. Leipziger, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Lyle S. Leipziger is Chief of the Division of Aesthetic Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island
Jewish Medical Center, two of Long Island’s finest teaching institutions.
Dr. Leipziger is a board certified plastic surgeon with special expertise
in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, breast and body.
Dr. Leipziger was graduated Phi Beta Kappa
honors from Johns Hopkins University and received his M.D. from Cornell
University Medical College where he was awarded the Dean Thomas Meikle
Prize in Research. He went on to a residency in general surgery at The Mt.
Sinai Hospital in New York. He completed his plastic surgery residency at
The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center. He was also awarded a
fellowship in Craniofacial and Microvascular Surgery at The Johns Hopkins
Medical Institutions.
Dr. Leipziger currently holds teaching appointments at North Shore
University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. He is Assistant
Professor of Plastic Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is
certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the
American College of Surgeons. Dr. Leipziger is a member of the American
Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic
Surgeons, Society for Anti-Aging Medicine, Nassau Surgical Society,
American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and The New York Regional
Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Dr. Leipziger specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery
of the face, breast and body. He has been consistently chosen for New York
Magazine’s “The Best Doctors in New York” as well as in the Castle
Connolly Medical Guide, “How To Find The Best Doctors in New York.” Most
recently he was selected as one of “America’s Top Doctors” by Castle
Connolly. Dr. Leipziger has published numerous articles and has been
interviewed on various plastic surgery topics for television news,
newspaper and magazine articles.
Ron Villano: Motivational
Speaker
What happens when life brings you something
that you didn’t choose, and then how do you begin to move on when you feel
trapped and scared? Ten years ago, Ron Villano, M.S., LMHC, ASAC faced
such a challenge when he lost his son in a tragic auto accident on Sunrise
Highway in Patchogue. For years he lived in deep darkness, anger and
depression. Each day was empty with no end in sight.
One day he realized that “if I have sadness in my soul, don’t I also have
the power within me to replace it with happiness?” He began by making
other choices in his life, one moment at a time, and slowly began to climb
back out. It is an incredible journey that gave him new tools for living,
a new way of looking at old relationships, and the ability to Embrace the
Power of Change.
Ron has truly gone from simply living life to loving life. Today, he is a
licensed therapist, life coach, national speaker and author. He was
recently featured on Montel Williams as a person who has moved mountains
in order to overcome life’s extreme challenges. His sell-out book, The
Zing, will help you to define the relationships in your life and give you
the tools to help you win the delicate day-to-day balancing act.
Ron, and Michael, have a message of hope. Join us for an unforgettable
evening filled with fun and laughter, reflection and hope, and some great
new ideas for your life.
It’s one of the questions Ron Villano, M.S., LMHC, ASAC is asked all the
time.
Author of the sell-out book, The Zing: The self-discovery
guide to help you go from living life to loving the life you live, Ron
will help you to define the relationships in your life and give you the
tools to help you win the delicate day-to-day balancing act.
Ronald P. Villano, M.S., LMHC, ASAC, psychotherapist, national speaker and
author has appeared on TV and radio throughout the country; has many
articles published in print and on the internet; and has a private
practice and is the director of Family and Personal Counseling.
Dr. Karen Barbosa
Fellowship
Trained, Breast Surgeon, St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
50 Route 25A
Smithtown, NY 11787
Click Here for Dr. Barbosa's Curriculum Vitae.
And then, after a battle with multiple myeloma, Miller's husband died.
Just before he died, the executive director of SHARE visited them in the
hospital and told Miller, "When you want to come back, just choose any
project you want." Miller returned to SHARE after her husband's death and
hasn't left. "When you've loved someone very much, and they're no longer
there, you have to find a place for all that love," she says. "In a way, a
lot of my passion and commitment is about SHARE." 
Lee
Miller: A Survivors Story
In 1975, 49-year-old Lee Miller looked in a mirror, lifted her arm and saw
strange dimples and indentations around one of her breasts. She and her
husband had just finished reading a Ms. magazine article about breast
cancer that listed these dents as possible symptoms. Concerned, Miller
immediately asked her husband if he felt any lumps, but he did not. "Then
I raised my arm, and his face turned white," Miller recalls. "I think at
that moment I knew I had breast cancer."
Nine days later, Miller went in for a mammogram. The first doctor who
examined her didn't feel a lump and thought she was probably healthy, but
Miller hadn't shown him the dimpling. Then a more experienced doctor came
in. "I raised my arm," Miller remembers, "and he said, ‘My dear, I'm
afraid you have breast cancer, and you will need a radical mastectomy.'"
Miller was terrified. Although she had no idea what a radical mastectomy
was, she did know that, in 1975, breast cancer was considered a death
sentence. "When I left the clinic, suddenly I didn't feel like part of the
population any more," she says.
A year later, after having one breast removed along with 32 lymph nodes,
Miller was reading yet another publication when she came across an
advertisement that caught her eye: Dr. Eugene Thiessen, a breast cancer
specialist, wanted to hold a meeting for women diagnosed with breast
cancer. In August 1976, Miller and 11 other women attended the first
gathering. "We sat in a circle, and tears of relief filled our eyes
because, as we began to speak, the other women nodded their heads in
affirmation," she remembers. "We all understood what the other was saying.
And that's how
SHARE
began."
Although they had forged an instant bond, Miller says the women initially
avoided harder topics, like death. "We began with smaller issues — how we
felt, how scared we were, dealing with our family, wanting to protect them
but needing their support," she says. Later, however, the women realized
that they might need a mental health expert to cofacilitate the meetings
with Dr. Thiessen. Miller, who had worked as a guidance counselor,
volunteered amid a round of rousing applause. "I felt like I had won a
medal," she explains. "For the first time, it gave me hope that I had more
control over this disease."
After cofacilitating the group's early meetings, Miller went on to become
the president of SHARE for eight years. She also designed the
organization's facilitation and hotline training programs.
Since 1995, Miller has worked to improve doctor–patient communication for
women with breast cancer, as well as bereavement support. She also used
money that was donated in her husband's name to build the Ed Miller
Memorial Library for SHARE. In addition to honoring his experience in
education, the library also pays tribute to the support he provided after
her diagnosis. "I used to wake up at night crying and scared, and he was
there," she says. "I don't know how I would've gotten through without my
husband being so involved."
Recently, Miller published her first book,
"The Cancer Challenge: Sharing the Experience," and 100 percent of the
proceeds benefit SHARE. Drawing from her personal experiences as well as
those of other cancer survivors, Miller writes about the remarkable power
of support when it comes to living with cancer. "If you're lucky you have
a family or friends, but some people don't," she says. "SHARE has helped
me cope with cancer. It made me understand the value of support, and I
belong to a sisterhood, so to speak. It's a core in my life."
