Miami Precision Medicine Conference
Patient / Patient Advocacy Groups Symposium
Empowering Patients Through Precision Medicine
Saturday, April 11, 2026 · 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, FL
All Times are EDT · Program is subject to change
| 7:30 – 8:00 AM |
Registration and Continental Breakfast
|
| 8:00 – 8:10 AM |
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH — Conference Co-Chair, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Frank Penedo, PhD — Director of Survivorship and Supportive Care, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 8:10 – 8:50 AM |
Panel 1: Empowering Prevention: How Germline Testing Shapes Cancer Care
Moderator: Nicholas Borja, MD — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 8:50 – 9:30 AM |
Panel 2: From Test Results to Treatment: A Patient-Centered Precision Tumor Board
Moderator: Marcelo Blaya, MD — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 9:30 – 10:10 AM |
WELLNESS BREAK: Rest, Restore, Reclaim: Wellness as Empowerment
|
| 10:10 – 10:50 AM |
Panel 3: Empowering Choices: Biomarker Testing and Clinical Trials in Precision Medicine
Moderator: Elisa Krill-Jackson, MD — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 10:50 – 11:20 AM |
Panel 4: Empowering Survivorship: Supportive Care in Precision Medicine
Moderator: Jessica MacIntyre, DNP, MBA, APRN, AOCNP — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 11:20 AM – 12:00 PM |
Panel 5: Empowered Advocacy: Patients, Caregivers, and Partners Driving Change
Moderator: Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM |
LUNCHEON & Roundtable Discussions
|
| 1:00 – 1:50 PM |
Keynote Address
Strength in the Struggle: Reclaiming Identity and Resilience After Cancer
Christine Handy
Breast cancer survivor, mother, international speaker, and author — Christine uses her platform to uplift, inspire, and empower others to overcome adversity with grace and grit.
|
| 1:50 – 2:10 PM |
Coffee, Conversations & Connections
|
| 2:10 – 2:50 PM |
Panel 6: Thriving Beyond Cancer Risk or Diagnosis — Practical Self-Care Strategies
Moderator: Joycelyn M. Lee, PhD, Psych-Oncology — Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
| 2:50 – 3:00 PM |
Closing Remarks
Carmen Calfa, MD — Conference Chair, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH — Conference Co-Chair, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
|
Lia Baker, LMT, OMT, CMLD, BCTMB
Clinical Program Manager, Massage Therapy
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Priscila Barreto Coelho, MD
Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Krista Brown, MS, RN, ONN
Lysa Buonanno, BSc
Speaker
Lung Cancer Foundation of America
Lung Cancer Foundation of America
David Cote, MM, MT-BC, NMT
Music Therapy Coordinator
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Debbie Denardi
Volunteer, Patient and Research Advocate, FORCE
Chris Draft, BS
Founder, President, and CEO
Chris Draft Family Foundation (C.D.F.F.)
Advocate for Lung Cancer Awareness
Chris Draft Family Foundation (C.D.F.F.)
Advocate for Lung Cancer Awareness
Karen Estrada
Writer
Patient Advocate
Retail Strategist
Patient Advocate
Retail Strategist
Federika Garcia, MS, RDN, LDN, CNSC
Clinical Nutrition Manager / Oncology Dietitian
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Carmen Gomez-Fernandez, MD
Clinical Professor
Vice Chair of Education & Trainee Mentoring
Director of Head and Neck Pathology
Director of Undergraduate Pathology Medical Education
Acting Co-Director, Breast Pathology Service — Division of Anatomic Pathology
Director, Head & Neck Pathology Service — Division of Anatomic Pathology
Program Director, Head & Neck Pathology Fellowship
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Vice Chair of Education & Trainee Mentoring
Director of Head and Neck Pathology
Director of Undergraduate Pathology Medical Education
Acting Co-Director, Breast Pathology Service — Division of Anatomic Pathology
Director, Head & Neck Pathology Service — Division of Anatomic Pathology
Program Director, Head & Neck Pathology Fellowship
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Christine Handy
Breast Cancer Survivor, Model, Mother, Motivational Speaker,
and Author of Walk Beside Me
and Author of Walk Beside Me
Lena Beth Iglesias, APRN, AOCNP
APRN in Survivorship Wellness Clinic
Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)
Family Nurse Practitioner
Hematology
Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP)
Family Nurse Practitioner
Hematology
Julia Maües
Co-Founder
Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnership (GRASP)
Guiding Researchers and Advocates to Scientific Partnership (GRASP)
Tracy Milgram
Founder
BRACASTRONG
BRACASTRONG
Frank J. Penedo, PhD, MS, BA
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Estelamari Rodriguez, MD, MPH
Clinical Research Lead, Thoracic Site Disease Group
Associate Director for Community Outreach-Thoracic Oncology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Associate Director for Community Outreach-Thoracic Oncology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
LaShae D. Rolle, PhD, MPH, CPH
Cancer Survivor, PhD Candidate, Athlete, Advocate
Joann Santiago-Charles, MS, ACSM CEP & EP-C, ACSM/ACS CET, CES, RYT
Clinical Exercise Physiologist
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Richard L. Schilsky, MD
Chairman, Clinical Advisory Board
Cellworks
Cellworks
Barbara Segarra, DHSc
Co-Leader, Latino Cancer Patient Advocate Training Program
Vice-Chair, Susan G. Komen Advocates in Science Steering Committee
Vice-Chair, Susan G. Komen Advocates in Science Steering Committee
Cristiane Takita, MD, MBA
Professor
Vice Chair of Education
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Vice Chair of Education
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Gretel Terrero, MD
Associate Director of Community Engagement and Outreach
Sylvester Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute
Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sylvester Pancreatic Cancer Research Institute
Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology
University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Georgette Valls-Delgado
Associate Director, Cancer Center Partnerships
American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society