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CETI’s Medical Advisory Board (M.A.B.)

The M.A.B. was established to guide the company by representing the voices of our expanding international network of medical professionals and caregivers.

Our Medical Advisory Board members are physicians, physical and occupational therapists, researchers, naturopathic physicians, and lymphatic drainage specialists, who bring their unique perspectives and expertise to inform the strategic direction and success of the organization and it’s coursework.

The roles of board members include functioning as consultants on new processes, providing insight on scientific and medical content, and serving as healthcare thought leaders and advocates of the cancer patient and survivor.

Our Medical Advisory Board members champion CETI’s mission to provide ‘gold-standard’ education to health and fitness professionals in order to EMPOWER cancer patients and survivors during all stages of their journey.

Dr. Shawna Willey

Dr. Willey was recently named the Peterson Chair of Breast Cancer Research at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia. She is a Professor of Surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center, where prior to coming to Inova, she served as the Chief of the Department of Surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, President of the Medical Staff and Director of MedStar’s Regional Breast Health Program. She is a former President and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Breast Surgeons.  A native of Iowa, she received her MD from the University of Iowa and completed her residency in surgery at the George Washington University Medical Center.

Dr. Willey has a particular interest in the surgical management and surveillance of patients who are gene mutation carriers, especially those who undergo prophylactic mastectomy. She is a pioneer in the field of nipple-sparing mastectomy and has authored several publications and is co-editor of Operative Approaches to Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy. Dr. Willey has co-chaired four BC3 conferences (Breast Cancer Coordinated Care) that address local and regional control of breast cancer. In addition, she co-edited the second and third editions of Surgery of the Breast. She was awarded the Scott L. Spear MD Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Willey has spent her entire career in the Washington, DC, area, mentoring multiple students, residents and breast surgery fellows. Dr. Willey is recognized nationally and internationally for her leadership and expertise.  She was recently selected as a recipient of the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine Distinguished Alumna Award for Service.

Dr. Scott Wang

Dr. Wang graduated from Chang Gung University (CGU), School of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan in 2013.  He is currently the Superintendent at STAR Rehabilitation Clinic in Taipei, Taiwan.     

Dr. Wang is the founder and author of  One-Minute Fitness, an online health information source, aiming to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information on diet, health and exercise to the general public.  his site is frequently cited by major Taiwanese media, has over Facebook 130,000 followers, 70,000 YouTube subscribers, and 5,800,000 blog views.

He received outstanding presenter award in the annual meeting of Taiwan Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in March, 2017 and placed 2nd in The Foundation of Taiwan Medical Development Awards for Outstanding Writings in June, 2013.  His abstract was accepted for presentation at European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) congress held at Athens, Greece in May, 2013

Dr. Elizabeth (Liz) Almli

Dr. Almli was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona where she attended the University of Arizona. She graduated from Medical School with honors and completed her Anesthesia Residency as the Chief Resident at University Medical Center. As a physician in private practice who has cared for cancer patients for over 25 years, never did Dr. Liz think she would one day be the one dealing with the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

Diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer at age 44, Liz underwent bilateral mastectomies with breast reconstruction and a year of chemotherapy. The frustrating feeling of “losing control” over her health prompted her to explore a proactive approach to her own recovery. Education, exercise, nutrition and stress reduction, empowered her to take control of her health both during and after cancer treatment.

Wanting to turn her experience into something positive that other cancer survivors could benefit from, she obtained her Personal Training Certification through the American College of Sports Medicine with advanced certification as a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. She now serves as the President and Fitness Director for the Tucson Cancer Conquerors, a comprehensive nonprofit healthy survivorship program centered around exercise, nutrition, education and peer support.

Dr. Cynthia Aks

Dr. Aks is a Board-certified General Surgeon and Integrative Medicine in practice since 1990 and a dedicated breast surgeon since 1997.  Her practice focus is influenced by an interest in Integrative Medicine with principles in Holism.  She is a strong patient advocate with a kind, calming and compassionate bedside manner.  She is a very seasoned surgeon with skills to include, but not limited to, office based ultrasound and stereotactic breast biopsy, cryoablation and ductoscopy.  She has experience in program development  and has worked in a NAPBC accredited comprehensive breast center.

She is a graduate of the internationally known Landmark Forum (a personal and professional growth training and development program).  She is a certified yoga instructor with a special interest in yoga therapy, training in Reiki therapy and a special interest in nutrition as it relates to health. Dr. Aks is a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. Dr. Aks is also a lover of nature, music, dancing, scuba diving, cooking and has a passion for life and learning.

Dr. Suwannee Siriwimalanun

Dr. Siriwimalanun graduated in medical school from Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. She has a Master’s degree in Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Dhurakij Pundit University. She is on the Thai Board of Preventive Medicine (public health) and on the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM). She is certified in  Chelation Therapy (Chelation Medical Association, THAI)  and is also a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute.

Dr. Kevin Knopf

Kevin Knopf MD MPH is a practicing Hematologist and Oncologist and serves as the Division Chief at Alameda Health System, a safety net hospital serving an economically disadvantaged and diverse group of patients in Oakland, California.  In this role, he sees a wide variety of patients with malignancy and coordinates oncology services for the health care system.

He has been in practice for 22 years since finishing his fellowship first in Annapolis, Maryland, and then in San Francisco, California.

He is an Associate Professor of Pharmacoeconomics at the University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine and a member of the Institute for Health Policy at the University of California, San Francisco.  Dr. Knopf’s areas of research include pharmaco-economics, cost-effective diagnosis, workup and treatment of malignancy, and minimizing cancer related disparities.  

He has authored more than 65 peer-reviewed articles, and numerous book chapters, is a reviewer for several medical journals and is a speaker on topics particularly related to cancer disparities and cost-effective cancer care.   

Dr. Knopf grew up in Long Beach, California.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree from MIT, attended medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, an MPH from Johns Hopkins, and trained clinically at Northwestern, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute, and the National Cancer Institute

 

Stephen Black, DSc, M.Ed, ATC/L, PT, CSCS, IDNC

Stephen is a wellness and functional fitness specialist with more than 40 years experience in supporting and helping a diverse clientele of individuals (across all ages and backgrounds), athletes, and corporate entities. He has rich experience in various aspects of health, fitness, wellness, programming for active and rehab needs, sports coaching, and lifestyle techniques at a holistic and operational level. An effective and powerful communicator with a passion for being healthy & fit, possessing the ability to empathetically connect with his audience, and enabling people to succeed in their wellness journey, his services are sought through active programming, specialist program design and execution, consultations, corporate wellness planning, and subject matter expert articles, columns and blogs for a variety of media and virtual platforms. He has successfully motivated thousands of patients with various health issues and challenges to achieve relevant, practical solutions. An optimist with a zeal for life, who has now expanded his offerings to innovate wellness programs through tele-health services for those seeking optimal care in areas such as sports injuries, cardiovascular issues and events along with those seeking the best in health and wellness providers and services.

Dr. Black has conducted health & fitness workshops for leading corporations, conditioning and training camps for various sports communities, personal training programs for CEOs of multi-nationals, athletes, junior/senior sports professionals, among others. Leading sports companies frequently utilize his services as a Foot & Gait Analyst to conduct specialized training programs for various sports across the country, and guide on appropriate foot-wear selection for athletes according to foot type, gait and movement biomechanics. 

Dr. Brian Kunakom

Dr. Kunakom is a Naturopathic Doctor at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. He did his undergraduate training at UC Santa Barbara and completed his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine training at Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. He is a physician who focuses on mitochondria health  with advanced skills in Natural, Holistic, Physical and Complementary Alternative Medical Practice. His reputation includes extensive understanding of mitochondria health amongst the cancer population. He is distinguished by advanced knowledge of subject matter in integrative oncology medicine treatments. During his years as a medical student, he had an interests in exercise medicine, which made him complete 2 full marathons along with receiving training with the Kinesio Taping Association for his certification as CKTP.  Until today, he continues to volunteer at marathon events in Bangkok as part of the medical team.

Denise Stewart Cancer Exercise Training InstituteDenise Stewart, OT

Denise has worked with people experiencing breast cancer related Lymphedema; managing compression garments and guidance to reduce skin and soft tissue inflammation since 1981. Her training and work in hands-on massage for problematic soft tissue commenced in the 1990’s.

Denise used her knowledge and skill to develop new methods for assessing and treating post-breast cancer scar tissue and shoulder girdle changes. Core stability and scapular stabilization/movement have been an integral part of her work. Denise has postgraduate training in courses by Pavel Kolar; Development Kinesiology (Prague). She has since developed post-graduate training workshops in Australia as well as online global-training programs for health professionals.

Her expertise in assessment, intervention, and training remains focused on active scar tissue, postural changes, and chronic soft tissue pain. Her goal is to EMPOWER her clients to understand pain and dysfunction and learn how to self-manage through their own means. Her work with post-breast cancer cording has led to the development of a more comprehensive testing method. This information was published, and awarded a prize, at the 2014 Australasian Lymphology Conference. In 2016, at the same conference, she presented two others; a review of case studies from the Share Cording Protocols Project and Mastectomy Scar Assessment; a review of POSAS.

Dr. Easton OsbornEaston Osborne, PT

Easton graduated with honors from Daemen College in Buffalo, New York with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. He serves as a physical therapist with UNC Rex healthcare in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has a clinical focus on lymphedema, oncology, and orthopedics. Easton serves as a facilitator for the annual Interprofessional Education Summit. He previously practiced in Niagara Falls, New York where he implemented a virtual care program for a variety of patients who have health concerns over public exposure. He also maintains his role as physical therapist and medical coordinator for the Empire State Ride, a 7 -day, 540 mile cycling journey from New York City to Niagara Falls. This event raises funds for clinical trials at . He currently holds a consulting position with Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York in the colorectal department. Easton’s passion for using physical therapy to help those affected by cancer began when his grandfather was diagnosed with and eventually succumbed to lung cancer. His focus is facilitated through professional development and driven by testimony from those affected by cancer. Easton is currently a member of the APTA Oncology Section in multiple states. His vision includes leveraging his continued understanding of orthopedic and cancer presentations to aid in early detection, prehab, and post -operative care along the spectrum of survivorship.

India Gooderham, PT

India is a qualified Physiotherapist and Yoga teacher specializing in rehabilitation for people affected by cancer. She specialized in oncology and palliative care in the UK working in a hospice and across primary and secondary care in the NHS.

India has practiced Yoga for over 20 years and completed her yoga teacher training at the Bihar School of Yoga, India. She has incorporated Yoga into her physiotherapy practice over the years and has trained to be a specialist cancer yoga teacher. India is a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. 

India studied at Cardiff University and achieved a Certificate of Palliative Care. Following these studies she has become passionate about searching the literature and seeking out the current research around the multiple and profound benefits of exercise and yoga for people affected by cancer. 

India also practices Western Medical Acupuncture and has been impressed by the efficacy with oncology patients.

Faith Aduragbemi Duncan, PT

 

Faith is a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and Women’s Health Educator with 11+ years working experience both in person and virtually. She has a background career history in NeuroPhysiotherapy, Orthopaedic and Paediatrics Physiotherapy. She has a B. Physiotherapy from The University of Ibadan Nigeria in 2010, Diploma in Health Information Management from The University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria 2003 and has acquired continued education certifications and hands on skills in women’s health and pelvic rehabilitation. She initiated the Women’s Health and Pelvic Rehabilitation Clinic in the Lagos State Health Service Commission Nigeria and replicated the same in about 10 other health facilities. She is the coordinator of all Women’s Health and Pelvic Rehabilitation units within the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Nigeria and equally heads one of the women’s health units in the commission. She is the chairman of the Education Committee in her facility and a member of the Education Committee – Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy Eko Chapter ( EKO NSP). She is a signed Ambassador Pro and pelvic floor infographic translator for myPFM (mypelvicfloormuscles) a nonprofit organisation in Texas USA. She is the founder and clinical director at Fitnwellcircle, where she passionately empowers women on pelvic health for a smoother pregnancy, birthing and postpartum journey and provides information and support to couples and home baby care givers to reduce infant child abuse by following baby cues in providing need and support. She also runs a vlog where she talks about life situations related to health. She is happily married to a loving and supportive husband and is a mother of two energy bursting toddlers.

Theresa Courter, CLT,OTR, Cancer Rehab Specialist

Theresa earned her OTR/L from Eastern University and has worked as an Occupational Therapist for more than 25 years.  During that time, she has become a leader in the field of rehabilitation of upper quarter related injuries (shoulder, elbow, hand), neurological diagnoses, and is certified in the management of lymphedema through Klose Training, and Cancer rehabilitation under the STAR program. Theresa is a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. In recent years, Theresa has had experience with treating a specialized population of patients having Graft versus Host Disease (GVHD). She is a resident educator in the universities’ occupational therapy hand residency program as well as their cancer rehabilitation and lymphedema residency program.

Her interest first became directed to the cancer population several years prior, after seeing the ramifications in functional degradation as well as seeing impairments of the musculoskeletal system in patients with breast cancer. Understanding that if the referral could be sooner during the process, that some of these side effects could potentially be avoided and at least minimized.   Theresa has used this knowledge to educate a comprehensive care team including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers to develop early intervention plans and programs for cancer survivors undergoing treatment at Michigan Medicine.

Theresa has been a speaker at two of the University of Michigan’s sponsored national hand conferences on the topics of lymphedema and breast cancer rehabilitation, and specific modern modalities for the treatment and improved healing rates of several conditions, including those related to cancer treatments.

Exploring knowledge in the areas of functional medicine and nutrition as they relate to the cancer population are some of her goals, as well as the pursuance of an improved holistic approach to the rehabilitation of the cancer patient through a prospective surveillance model.

Nikita Wilburn, BSN

Nikita graduated with making the dean’s list from University of Arlington at Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  She has worked as a nurse for over 15 years.  She worked 10 years of her career in Hospice and Palliative Care in Dallas, Texas.  She works at UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center and is Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Certified, Certified Oncology Nurse (OCN) and is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS).  She is well rounded in Oncology, administering chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in the clinical trial/research unit and assisting physicians in the clinic.  While understanding the debilitating state that many patients suffer during and post treatment, Nikita began to focus on health and wellness and became a Certified Personal Trainer.  

Her vision for patients is ensuring that they understand the importance of maintaining their functional status.  Encouraging patients to continue to move through physical activity will not only improve how they tolerate treatments, but also their outcome.  Becoming a Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) gave her the opportunity to set a platform to not only help patient’s, but to educate her fellow nurses and peers.

Dr. Dan Mikeska, DHSc Cancer Exercise Training Institute Dan Mikeska, DHSc

Dan earned his doctorate in Health Science and his master’s degree in Human Movement from A.T. Still University, and has certifications and specializations in Cancer Exercise, Medical Exercise, Corrective Exercise, and Performance Enhancement. Dan is also a Cancer Exercise Specialist through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. started training clients in 1997 because he felt it was time someone offered individualized, evidenced-based, fitness programs, rather than hype or fad, and his mission is to make a healthier society, by improving the quality of life one client at a time.  His philosophy centers on the fact that human movement is a complicated and coordinated effort between your muscles, skeleton, and metabolism, and everyone is different. Knowing how each of the systems of the body work, independently and in concert, is essential in the development of an effective fitness training program. Dan has worked with notable organizations such as Life with Cancer and 2Unstoppable, and has taught fitness and wellness classes at Northern Virginia Community College and A.T. Still University to ensure the next generation is well prepared to deal with the growing prevalence of chronic disease.  Additionally, he is a continuing education provider for the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the Athletics and Fitness Association of America.

Ken Germano, Ph.D., Dr. PH

Over the past decade and within start-up Solera Health, Ken facilitated the launch and ongoing implementation of a nationwide delivery network for the national diabetes prevention program, NDPP, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Including major health plans such as Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Aetna with a broad focus on Medicare populations and advantage plans nationwide, a potential network of 30,000 community-based organizations evolved. The network, including Physician ACOs and digital partners, was constructed to deliver healthy lifestyle behavior programs also including where possible, social determinants of health, SDOH, within the communities served.

The past President and CEO of the non-profit Medical Fitness Association, Ken drove a global mission to educate and develop physician supervised, medically integrated centers for health and wellbeing. As the first President of the American Council on Exercise, Ken positioned, assembled it’s current executive team, and lead ACE as a global leader for professional exercise certification and wellness, fitness, continuing education. 

Through a lifetime of leading social change and informing policy through his work, Ken pioneered OPERATION FitKids®, a non-profit organization, enhancing physical education opportunities for children in US schools. Raising $7 million, FitKids establish more than 400 centers before merging this fundable program within the American Council on Exercise.

Ken holds the Ph.D., Dr. PH, from Walden University, MPH from Adelphi University where he also taught as adjunct professor in the College of Nursing and Public Health through 2017. 

Jenny Spencer, BSN

Jenny has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and has practiced within a variety of oncology environments since 2010. She has her Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Certification and is an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) with experience in administering and monitoring intravenous cancer treatment plans as well as oral oncolytics. Because of the exposure to the detrimental symptoms and side effects that cancer and cancer treatments can have on patients and caregivers, she developed a strong passion to help improve the quality of life in those living with cancer through exercise programming. She served as principal investigator in an exercise oncology study that assessed the feasibility and efficacy of an exercise program within the neuro-oncology population during treatment.

With her Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and CETI Cancer Exercise Specialist (CES) certifications, she founded Fight the Fatigue® (@fightthefatiguefitness) where she is able to incorporate her oncology nursing background with her fitness trainer certifications in order to develop safe, effective and individualized exercise programming to those living with cancer throughout their entire fight; starting at diagnosis and on. She is most passionate about using exercise as a tool for patients and caregivers to play an active role in their treatment in order to improve their outcomes, maintain their independence and live a quality life doing the things they love with the people they love! 

She would love to connect and collaborate with others that have this same passion! It is an ongoing, team effort to advocate for exercise programming to be standard of care practice in the oncology setting.

LaGary Carter, R.N.

LaGary is the Associate Professor and coordinator of the Exercise Physiology program at Valdosta State University. LaGary is a certified Cancer Exercise Specialist by the Cancer Exercise Training Institute as well as a certified Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist and by the American College of Sports Medicine. He is an Exercise Physiologist-Certified and Fellow of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists and a member of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association. LaGary is also a registered nurse at the Dasher Heart Center at South Georgia Medical Center.   

Dr. Glenn B. Gero, N.D., R.N.C., M.H.

Dr. Gero is a Board-Certified Doctor of Naturopathy, master herbalist, registered nutritionist, cancer exercise specialist, certified fitness trainer, and lifestyle coach. Dr. Glenn Gero is a NJ naturopath who has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including NBC, PIX, Fox, NJTV, among others, and analyzes each individual’s health, behavioral and attitudinal profile to help achieve optimal wellness by referring each client to scientific, historical and anecdotal healing principles.

Elayna Nunley, MS, RDN, LD, CES

Elayna is a registered and licensed dietitian with passion to help clients find a perspective about nutrition that fits their lifestyle. Years of practicing in hospital, outpatient, and community settings all skills have enveloped around caring for the cancer patient. Research sets a course of modern misinformation at times, and it is most valuable to read between the lines and meet your client at the point of learning and change. Finding a way to provide well-rounded approach to health goals, either preventative, during treatment, needing nutrition support, or assessing long-term nutritional impact is key when discussing the complicated relationship of diet and cancer. As a self-defined foodie who loves cooking and recipe development, Elayna believes there is art and life that comes from enjoying your food. Being a dietitian focused in cancer nutrition and recognizing the importance to provide empowering strategies for people along their journey allows clear goals for supporting a nourishing, satisfying, and balanced relationship with food.