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Step 2: Go to www.slido.com and enter the event code:LACNETS Speaker Biographies Alexandra Gangi, MD Director, Gastrointestinal Tumor Program; Associate Program Director, Complex Surgical Oncology Fellowship; Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery,Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Dr. Alexandra Gangi is a board-certified surgeon and board-certified surgical oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Dr. Gangi completed a general surgical residency at Cedars-Sinai and completed her surgical oncology fellowship at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Cen-ter in Tampa, Florida. She currently serves as the director of the Gastrointestinal Tumor Program with specialization in neuroendocrine tumors, metastatic and primary liver tumors, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer and management of peritoneal surface malignancies with cytoreduction and HIPEC.

Andrew Hendifar, MD Medical Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center The current research focus of Andrew Hendifar, MD, is on developing new therapies for pancreatic cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Hendifar, along with his colleagues from Surgery, Gastroenterology, Radiation Oncology and Radiology have formed multidisciplinary teams that specialize in the treatments of pancreatic cancer, and carcinoid and neuroendocrine tumors. He is the primary investigator for several groundbreaking therapies, including radioimmunotherapy for neuroendocrine and pancreatic cancer.

Daneng Li, MD Medical Oncology, City of Hope Daneng (Dan) Li, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research at City of Hope, specializing in GI oncology and is the Co-Director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Program at City of Hope. He leads several clinical trials focused on improving outcomes for patients with NETs and has been awarded a prestigious R03 research grant from the National Institute of Health to study NET patient preferences for various competing health outcomes. Nationally, he also serves on the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) Continuing Education Committee, Carcinoid Syndrome Control Collaborative, and the Patient-Physician Communication Task Force for the Healing NET Foundation. For his efforts, he was honored as a recipient of the inaugural 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award in 2018. CIndy Lovelace Co-founder and Executive Director, The Heailng NET Foundation Cindy Francis Lovelace began a radio news career in Nashville at WKDA-WKDF in 1979, serv- ing as a Capitol Hill reporter, then Program Director/News Anchor. In 1995, she became Director of Promotions at WKDF/WGFX radio, and was promoted to Director of Marketing and Promo- tions for WKDF/WGFX/Titans Radio when the company purchased the rights to Titans Radio Network in 1998. During her radio career, Lovelace launched several large scale concert events involving national artists, and worked with the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau to help re-brand the Music City July 4 event. In 2010, after 32 years in the broadcast business, she launched a business as an event marketing consultant. In 2011, shortly after a neuroendocrine cancer diagnosis, she accepted a position as Director of Development for the T. J. Martell Foundation office in Nashville, a national organization that raises monies for cancer research. She led the organization’s efforts in Nashville to raise $2 million over a two year period, chiefly through artist-related events. Initiated by Dr. Liu, she was one of the first patients to participate in the first Gallium 68 clinical trial in the U. S. Lovelace was inspired by the work of Dr. Liu to do an “entrepreneur hat” and together establish a non-profit to fill an un-met need for neuroendocrine awareness and education in the medial community. She and her husband Gene together have four children, four grandchildren, and enjoy travel, and sailing on the lakes of Tennessee and .

David C. Metz, MD Gastroenterology, Penn Medicine Dr Metz is Professor of Medicine and Co-director of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Program at the University of Pennsylvania. He is actively involved in clinical research, patient care, and teaching of students, residents, and fellows. Dr Metz’s clinical research program is particularly active in acid-peptic conditions including hypersecretory states such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, Heli- cobacter pylori infection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastropathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. He also has particular expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with functional and non-functional neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas and alimentary tract. He has been a principal investigator on a number of trials evaluating upper gastrointestinal disease states. He is also active in national gastroenterology societies and was a prior member of the Liason Committee for Recertification of the American Board of Internal Medicine (American Gastroenterological Association representative), the US Food and Drug Administration Gastrointestinal Drugs Advisory Committee and chair emeritus of the North American neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS).

Josh Mailman, MBA President, NorCal CarciNET Community Josh Mailman was diagnosed with PNET in 2007. Josh is an internationally-recognized advo- cate for NET patients as well as an advocate for integrative oncology and nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.He is the inaugural chair of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging’s (SNMMI)Patient Advocacy Advisory Board, a member of The Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (ERF) Board, acting COO the World Association of Radiopharmaceutical and Molecular Therapy(WARMTH),and president of NorCal CarciNET Community, one of the largest NET patient communities in the United States. In addition, he is a member of National Cancer Institute’s GI Steering Committee after being a member of the NCI Task Force on Neuroendocrine Tumors for six years. Josh is also a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation(NETRF). He sits as the single patient member of NETRF's Scientific Advisory Committee which reviews research applications for private funding by this 501c3 foundation. In 2015, Josh was honored with the Warner Advocacy Award, given annually by Novartis Oncology Patient Advocacy and The NET Alliance. The award recognizes an individual for leadership and advocacy for neuroendocrine patients. In the same year, Josh was given the SNMMI’s President’s Award for his work on behalf of patients in the nuclear medicine field. Josh is a former executive board member of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO)and was named SIO Patient Advocate of Year in 2010. Josh is a frequent and sought-after speaker for his passionate and highly informed perspective on how patients can effectively participate in the process of working with key stakeholders to improve treatments and advance progress for better quality of life and eventual cures. Erik S. Mittra, MD, PhD Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University Dr. Mittra is an Associate Professor of Diagnostic Radiology and Division Chief of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Mittra is interested in all aspects of molecular imaging and therapy. Targeted radionuclide therapies (TRT) are of particular interest and he is nationally recognized in this area. He is very active with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS), and is the current Medical Director of the Healing NET Foundation (HNF).

Robert Ramirez, DO, FACP Neuroendocrine & Thoracic Oncology, Ochsner Medical Center Dr. Robert Ramirez is a thoracic and neuroendocrine oncologist at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. He earned his medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. He then completed a combined hematology and medical oncology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis, Tennessee where he served as chief fellow. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS). Dr. Ramirez divides his clinical and research duties between the Ochsner Lung Cancer Multidisciplinary Program and the Ochsner Kenner/LSU Multidisciplinary Neuroendocrine Clinic. His clinical and research interests include neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and lung cancer. He has a specific interest in NETs of the lung and high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas. He is active in clinical trial design in-cluding investigator-initiated trials. He is part of the teaching faculty to fellows, residents and medical students and in 2017 won the Ochsner Research Mentor of the Year for Fellows and Residents award. Dr. Ramirez and his multidisciplinary group, the New Orleans Louisiana Neuroendocrine Tumor Specialists (NOLANETS), spe-cialize in the diagnosis and management of NETs.

Michael C. Soulen, MD Radiology, Penn Medicine Dr. Michael Soulen is Director of Interventional Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center. His practice focuses on liver-directed therapies, particularly for neuroendocrine tumors. He serves on the Board of Directors for the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS). Dr. Soulen is the Principal Investigator for the international RETNET trial comparing bland and chemoembolization, and for the CapTem Y90 trial integrating chemo-therapy and radioembolization for Grade 2 NETs.

Run Yu, MD, PhD Professor of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Run Yu, MD, PhD, is Professor of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Yu has extensive experience in clinical endocrinology and is an expert in neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Yu has published over 150 papers and book chapters. Dr. Yu teaches medical students, residents, and fellows on clinical skills and research. Dr. Yu lectures widely on endocrine diseases, clinical reasoning, identifying clinical research opportunities, and scientific writing.

Special thanks to our 2020 presenters! Los AngelesLACNETS Carcinoid Neuroendocrine Tumor Society

The mission of LACNETS is to advocate for all people impacted by neuroendocrine cancer through sustainable wellness education and by expanding awareness of this rare cancer through collaborative community. We aim to help those with neuroendocrine cancer by providing support and expanded access to information on diagnosis, treatment options, research, and resources.

We serve the NET community by connecting patients, caregivers, and medical professionals to facilitate enhanced communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Through our monthly Patient Education Seminars, annual Patient Education Conference, NET CONNECT, & Health Coaching program, we provide an opportunity for patients to meet and share experiences, encouragement, and hope. LACNETS Team Donna Gavin Board Member, LACNETS Donna Gavin is the sister of LACNETS founder Giovanna Joyce Imbesi and has been a board member of GeneratePossibility.org/LACNETS since 2009. Donna is dedicated to impactful work and has many years of experience in non-profit management and leadership. With a background in finance and law, she has served on boards and constituent groups of non-profit organizations for over 20 years. She is currently a senior grants administrator and paralegal at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island, New York, a scientific research institution and National Cancer Institute designated Cancer Center. Donna holds a BA from Williams College and a diploma in paralegal studies from New York University.

Lindsey Jeu De Vine Director of Communications, LACNETS Lindsey joined LACNETS in 2016 as an Event Coordinator and is now the Director of Communications. Before joining LACNETS, Lindsey was a nonprofit consultant who helped agencies achieve their goals through social media and marketing strategy, event planning, grants, and other fundraising services. In her work with nonprofit agencies including Pepperdine University, Lions, Tigers & Bears, and Environmental Working Group, Lindsey planned multiple fundraising events annually and coordinated all development, communications, and outreach programs. Lindsey received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing & Public Relations from Pepperdine University. Outside of her career in the nonprofit sector, Lindsey teaches yoga and enjoys surfing, helping animals and hiking with her two dogs. Kavya Velagapudi Interim Administrator and Board Member, LACNETS Kavya is the Interim Administrator and Board Member of GeneratePossibility.Org LACNETS. Since 2015, Kavya has been involved with GeneratePossibility.Org LACNETS providing fundraising and management support.

She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive with ten years of diverse experience generating revenue and resources for nonprofits. With a Masters in Social Welfare and a concentration in Non-Profit Administration & Policy Advocacy, Kavya has a unique blend of development, management, and clinical skills. Before becoming an independent consultant she was the Development Director of the International Museum of Women, now part of Global Fund for Women, in San Francisco.

Prior to joining the Museum, Kavya was the Western Region Director of Starlight Children’s Foundation in Los Angeles, where she oversaw all development, communications and program services in Starlight’s Western Region.

Lisa Yen, NP, NBC-HWC Program Director, LACNETS Lisa Yen was a nurse practitioner hospitalist for over 12 years prior to her husband’s diagnosis with advanced, metastatic pancreatic NET in January 2015. She joined LACNETS in January 2018. As a medical professional, caregiver, and health coach to NET patients, she brings a unique perspective to LACNETS. In her role as the LACNETS Program Director, she works with the team to plan content for the monthly educational meetings and annual patient educational conference. She writes regular blog articles and quizzes for LACNETS and co-developed NET VITALS, a patient-physician communication tool. She is also responsible for launching and managing LACNETS' supportive programs: NET Connect and NET Health Coaching. Her passion is to help improve the quality of life for those who have been touched by NET.

Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1997, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Loyola University of Chicago in 1998, and a Master of Science in nursing from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Nursing’s Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program in 2003. In 2018, she completed Vanderbilt University’s Health Coaching Certificate Program and passed a newly developed National Board Certification Exam in Health and Wellness Coaching, recognized by the National Board of Medicine. Lisa lives with her husband Tom Bajoras in West Los Angeles. She has been active in community service and church activities and has traveled to Kenya and Haiti for medical missions. In addition to her passion for helping people, she enjoys cooking, snowboarding, archery, and musical theater. Connect with LACNETS

www.LACNETS.org