Our Speakers
Learn more about the speakers joining us on October 1st! More speaker information coming soon.
Dr. Joni Adelman, DNP/MPH
Dr. Joni Adelman has been involved in public health in Mineral County in some capacity since 2011 and with the Silver Thread Public Health District since its formation in 2016. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing and FNP credential in 2014 and later received her Doctorate in Nursing Practice and Master of Public Health in 2024, all from the University of Colorado Anschutz campus. Joni has been instrumental in the development and implementation of public health programs to increase access to care, including research on blood lead levels in Mineral County and prevention initiatives like WNV surveillance. When she is not at the public health office, Joni enjoys spending time outdoors with her four daughters in the mountains.
John Arend, MPH
John Arend is the Program Manager of the Colorado Central Cancer Registry (CCCR) at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) with more than 15 years of experience in cancer surveillance. John is a Colorado-native and received his Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology from the Colorado School of Public Health. Prior to his work in cancer surveillance, John served as a Peace Corps Volunteer. His two years spent in a rural community in Nicaragua were life changing and inspired his commitment to public service.
Erica Berge, LCSW
Erica Berge, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California with over a decade of experience, she is dedicated to supporting families through the life-altering transitions of managing illness, working from a collaborative, strengths-based, and patient-centered approach. For over six of those years, she has focused on pediatric/AYA oncology, developing and managing impactful programs for young patients and their families. Beyond direct patient care, Erica is actively involved in initiatives aimed at addressing systemic issues in healthcare, with a specific focus on increasing the availability and accessibility of pediatric specialty care. She is a member of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers and the Colorado Kids Cancer Association, and serves on the board of the Summer’s Way Foundation.
Ben Brewer, PsyD
Benjamin W. Brewer, PsyD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and is the Director of Clinical Psychology and Counseling for the Division of Hematology. He is a clinical health psychologist with expertise in providing evidence-based psychological intervention and assessment to oncology patients and patients receiving cellular therapies. Brewer is an expert in the clinical treatment of insomnia in the context of cancer and cancer survivorship and has a research and clinical program in the use of telehealth and mobile health applications to provide augmented therapy enhancement for oncology patients and their caregivers. He is a full member of the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
Paula Chambers Raney
Paula Chambers Raney is a stage I colon cancer survivor, patient advocate, and Hope Coordinator for Fight Colorectal Cancer, a national nonprofit dedicated to awareness, research, and health equity. A Colorado native currently rooted in Houston, Texas, she transformed her own journey; from years of misdiagnoses and delayed treatment to life-saving care, into a mission to advance culturally competent care and early screenings, especially for Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
Since her diagnosis in 2015, Paula has become a respected voice in national cancer advocacy. In 2022, she brought her story to the White House as part of the Cancer Moonshot initiative, urging systemic change in prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care. Her work spans from policy discussions in Washington, D.C., to grassroots efforts in local communities, always championing the power of the patient voice to drive progress.
Beyond her advocacy, Paula and her spouse are celebrating 40 years of partnership. She is also an accomplished chef, devoted lover of live music, enthusiastic kite flyer, and lifelong Duran Duran fan—approaching life with the same energy, creativity, and optimism she brings to her fight for better cancer care.
Kayla Cibic, MPH
Kayla serves as a member of the Workforce team, working alongside the Workforce Programs & Initiatives staff. She contributes to various projects, including AmeriCorps Apprenticeships, the HRSA Community Health Worker Grant, and the PHIG Grant, supporting workforce development and demonstrating progress toward statewide collaborative priorities.
Jennaya Colóns, PTA
A decade into her impactful career, Jennaya is a leading health professional and advocate. Her dedication to community health is expressed through her role as Founder and Executive Director of Highroots Wellness & Consulting, where she actively works to bridge healthcare access gaps through data analysis, health programming, and workforce and policy development. Jennaya’s strong academic foundation includes a Master of Science in Health Education and Promotion and a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health with a capstone in leadership and interprofessional development.
Jennaya began her distinguished career as a Physical Therapist Assistant at Penrose Hospital (CommonSpirit) in 2015, where she continues to serve part-time. As a PTA and Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), she plays a vital role in helping individuals with various diagnoses regain mobility, manage pain, regulate stress, and become empowered self-advocates for their health. Between 2023 and 2025, she served as an outreach liaison for the Penrose Cancer Center, decreasing barriers to screening, treatment, and support.
Her passion for equitable access is apparent in her significant contributions as the Chair of the Patient Navigation Taskforce for the Colorado Cancer Coalition, Chair of the Healthy Community Collaborative‘s Barriers to Accessing Healthcare Workgroup, and past co-chair of Penrose Hospital’s DEI council. Jennaya‘s commitment to civic engagement is also evident through her roles on the CommonSpirit Health Equity Advancement Fund, the Pikes Peak Business and Education Alliance (PPBEA) advisory board, and completion of the 2023 Mayor’s Civic Leader Fellowship in Colorado Springs.
Hans Elzinga, MD
Hans Elzinga, MD, FAAFP
Director, Special Procedures Clinic – Salud Family Health
Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine – University of Colorado School of Medicine
Dr. Elzinga is a National Health Service Corps Scholarship recipient and has continued to practice at his original payback site for more than 20 years after completing his obligation. He earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and completed his residency in Family Medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he trained in the Rural Training Track in Baraboo.
Dr. Stacy Fischer, MD
Dr. Stacy Fischer is a Professor in General Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and a board-certified Geriatrician and Palliative Care clinician. She is also a Program Leader in Cancer Prevention and Control at the University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center and serves as the Scientific Advisor for American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Her overarching research vision is to improve palliative care outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations through developing and testing innovative interventions. She is currently co-leading an NCI funded multi-site clinical trial of psilocybin assisted psychotherapy for adults with serious cancers to improve anxiety, depression, and existential distress. She is also co-leading two large observational studies of Medical Aid in Dying from patient/caregiver and physician perspectives.
Lanie Heinz
Lanie has worked at Sunrise Community Health for 7 years, contributing to both the Quality Improvement and Case Management departments. Her work has focused on improving care delivery processes, supporting patients in navigating services, and driving initiatives that enhance overall health outcomes. Lanie earned her degree in Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University.
Lyndie Kenlon
Lyndie Kenlon serves as Trailhead Institute’s AmeriCorps Senior Program Manager, where she is collaboratively leading efforts to evolve Colorado’s public health workforce through the integration of AmeriCorps and public health apprenticeship programs. She brings over a decade of experience in community education, program development, and nonprofit leadership.
Dr. Heather Leach, Ph.D
Dr. Heather Leach, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Director, Physical Activity for Treatment and Prevention Lab in the Department of Health and Exercise Science at Colorado State University. Dr. Leach completed a B.S. in Exercise Science, at the University of South Alabama, an M.S. in Exercise Physiology at the University of Texas at Arlington, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology at the University of Houston and a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Calgary. Dr. Leach is also a Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine. Her research focuses on 1) the Social Ecologic determinants of physical activity adoption and maintenance, 2) the physical and psychosocial benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors, and 3) the translation of physical activity intervention research into standard health care practice and sustainable community programming. Dr. Leach has been the principal investigator of several clinical trials in cancer control/survivorship, and her work has been funded by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.
Kelly Maloney, MD
Dr Kelly Maloney is the Associate Director of Research at the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She is also an active clinical care provider and leads many of the COG Clinical Trials for Children’s. She primarily cares for children, adolescents and young adults with acute leukemias and non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She also specializes She in children with Down Syndrome and blood cancers or blood abnormalities. She deeply believes that cancer affects the whole family and so her treatment focus is on the whole family - patient, siblings and parents, other family members and friends.
Tasha Moses, MPA
Tasha B. Moses is the Chief Impact Architect (CEO) of Strategic Management Services & Solutions, where she partners with nonprofits, government agencies, and coalitions to design strategies that deliver lasting impact. With more than 25 years of experience in cancer control and advancing access and outcomes in public health, she has led national initiatives with CDC, state health departments, and tribal and territorial programs across the U.S.
Tasha has served as Co-Chair/Chair of the DC Cancer Coalition for the past 10 years and currently serves as Co-Chair of the National Board of Trustees for the League of Minority Voters, bringing deep expertise in policy engagement, coalition sustainability, and systems change.
She holds an MPA in Health Policy and Management with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from New York University, and dual BS degrees in Political Science and Sociology from Northeastern University. A proud mom of two brilliant and uniquely minded boys and a miniature schnauzer, Tasha enjoys traveling and sharing new experiences with her boys, photography, volunteering, and wine tasting.
Meghna Patta, MPH
Meghna Patta, MPH is an emerging public policy professional currently serving as the Policy Advisor for the Prevention Services Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. In her role within the division, Meghna helps coordinate legislative and policy engagement efforts, helping shape and respond to public health policy at the state level. She also manages budget tracking for the division and coordinates responses to budget-related inquiries. As the lead author for legislative fiscal notes, Meghna also plays a key role in securing the resources necessary to implement new public health legislation.
Kayla Ruiz, MS, CGC
Kayla Ruiz graduated with a Master of Science in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from the Stanford University School of Medicine in June 2024. She now works as a Cancer Genetic Counselor at CommonSpirit Health in Colorado Springs, and as a Southern California native, has finally experienced four seasons! She has had the opportunity to participate in cancer support groups and work alongside multidisciplinary professionals. She loves spending extra time during appointments getting to know patients and providing emotional support.
Joan Slaughter
Joan Slaughter (Co-Founder) is the mother of Morgan Adams and Co-Founder of The Morgan Adams Foundation – a pediatric and young adult (AYA) cancer research funding organization (MRO) based in Denver CO.
Joan holds an Accounting degree from Regis University in Denver, and prior to the start of the Foundation, she was part of a special projects divestiture team for a Fortune 100 company working in the financials markets.
In 1999, after the diagnosis and subsequent passing of her then 6 year old daughter, Morgan, Joan and her late husband, Steven Adams, started the research funding organization that bears their daughters’ name in order to improve outcomes for this special and important patient population.
Joan serves as Executive Director of the Foundation and has focused her work on raising community support for pediatric and AYA cancer research and new treatment development. Joan also serves on the Philanthropy and Research Institute Councils of The Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation Board, is the Chair of the Colorado Kids’ Cancer Association and serves as a Patient Advocate on the NIH’s Pediatric Central Institutional Review Board.
Joan and Steven have two other children, Andrew and Sara Grace, and one grandson, Leo.
Elsa Staples, MPH
Elsa Staples, MPH is the Senior Program Manager for the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and Colorado School of Public Health, joining the team in 2018 to support safety net clinic systems across the state with implementing evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes for colorectal cancer screening, lung cancer screening, and hereditary cancer risk assessment. Elsa also provides support and advisement for several state and national initiatives within the cancer continuum and patient navigation/community health work spheres including as a Steering Committee Member for The Alliance of Colorado Community Health Workers, Patient Navigators, and Promotores de Salud. Elsa has a Master of Public Health in Health Education and Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Tulane University. She is passionate about working with communities across Colorado and nationwide to increase equitable access to and reduce barriers for cancer and healthcare services.
Dr. Jamie L Studts, PhD
Dr. Jamie L. Studts is Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Scientific Director of Behavioral Oncology. Dr. Studts also serves as the Co-Leader for the Cancer Prevention and Control program and Co-Director of the Population Health Shared Resource at the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Dr. Studts is a clinical health psychologist, and his interests address behavioral aspects of lung cancer. His research develops and tests interventions to facilitate equitable and high-quality lung cancer screening and evaluate novel approaches to improving quality of life and well-being among lung cancer survivors. His research has been funded by NCI, NIDCR, NIDA, NIEHS, PCORI, CDC, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, the Kentucky Lung Cancer Research Program, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Dr. Studts is the Principal Investigator of the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative, and he is a Fellow of the Society of Behavioral Medicine, a member of the Scientific Leadership Board for GO2 for Lung Cancer, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s Lung Cancer Screening Guideline Panel. Dr. Studts serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the American Cancer Society’s National Lung Cancer Roundtable and Co-Chairs the Stigma and Nihilism Task Group.
Dan Miller, JD
Dan Miller is the Executive Director of Live By Living. He founded the organization in 2008 after his wife, Julie Wrend, passed away from breast cancer in 2007. Live By Living is based on Dan and Julie’s experience:
· Nature provides solace
· Movement is medicine
· Community is strength
Dan fell in love with the mountains as a teenager while attending summer camp in Estes Park. He’s been hiking, backpacking, bicycling and skiing ever since. He enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and working on his inner John Fielder. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Before founding Live By Living, Dan worked as an environmental lawyer for the Colorado Attorney General’s office.
Kelsie Weigandt, MS, CGC
Kelsie Weigandt is a certified genetic counselor practicing at St. Anthony North Hospital Cancer Care Center in Westminster. She studied molecular biology, physiology and Spanish at University of Wyoming before completing her Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling at University of Colorado Anschutz. She provides genetic counseling services for patients with a personal and/or family history of cancer. She is passionate about providing education to support patients as they make informed decisions regarding their health and genetics.
Ashley Wilson, MPH
Ashley Wilson, MPH, Director at Archuleta County Public Health Department has spearheaded the start of this new public health department, over the last two years, with the conviction that prevention services are critical to supporting public health in the rural community. Ashley has a background in child development and families studies and a history working in children’s oncology and supportive community services which directly impact the Public Health work she now does.
Dennis Wright, II, MPH
Dennis Wright II, MPH is the Lead Cancer Epidemiologist in the Health Statistics and Evaluation Branch of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. His primary role is to provide cancer surveillance data support to the Women’s Wellness Connection and the Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. Originally from Boston MA, Dennis received his Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology from the Colorado School of Public Health, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health from the University of Colorado at Denver. Dennis also researches data equity and leads policy discussions in social epidemiology, with a focus on both Maternal and Child Health and medical racism. Prior to his public health career, Dennis spent 15 years in the biotechnology sector, most recently as a Manufacturing Quality Engineer where he oversaw the production of several cancer medicines at Pfizer, Inc. In his downtime, Dennis enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, taking on new woodworking/DIY projects, solving all manner of puzzle games, and making time to enjoy a good laugh with anyone.
Lauren Zimmaro, PhD
Dr. Lauren Zimmaro is a behavioral scientist and clinical health psychologist at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and University of Colorado Cancer Center, where she serves as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Medical Oncology and the Associate Director of Behavioral Science for the Rady Esophageal and Gastric Center of Excellence. Her program of research focuses on developing and evaluating mindfulness-based interventions to reduce distress and improve quality of life among individuals affected by cancer, with particular emphasis on the role of intimate partnerships and biobehavioral pathways in coping and survivorship. Informed by her clinical experience as a licensed psychologist and training as a registered yoga instructor, she integrates mindfulness and the mind–body connection with mixed-methods approaches to advance psychosocial oncology research.
