Who We Are
Mission
Patient Empowerment Network (PEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. PEN’s mission is to fortify cancer patients and care partners with the knowledge and tools to boost their confidence, put them in control of their healthcare journey, and assist them in receiving the best, most personalized care available to ensure they have the best possible outcome.
Our programs enhance patient health literacy to enable shared decision-making and provide informational and educational resources to empower patients and care partners at every step of their cancer journey.
The Patient Empowerment Network (PEN) is committed to inclusivity in all levels of our organization, governing staff, the Board, volunteers, business partners and all external stakeholders, to deliver on our mission on behalf of cancer patients and their care partners. Read More
Our Team
Tracy Rode
Aïcha Diallo, MPH, CHES
Kara Rayburn
Susan Liberatore
Nicole Normandin Rueda, LMSW
Nykema Mpama
Andrea Winchell
Joelys Gonzalez
PEN Team at the 2023 Staff Retreat
Board of Directors
Darla Brown
Alyssa Gutjahr
Nancy Gatschet
Lauri Bolton
LaWanda Byrd
Sujata Dutta
Andrea Marquez
Deirdre McGinley-Gieser
Pam Rattananont
Eric Vicks
Empowerment Leads
Sherea Cary
Jessica Catlin
Cora Connor
Art Flatau
Carly Flumer
Summer Golden and Jeff Bushnell
Miche’al “Mikki” Goodwin
Lisa Hatfield
Gary Hooker
Sabrina Ocasio
Linda Ryan
Sasha Tanori
Diahanna Vallentine
Volleen White
Christine Wu
Nykema Mpama
Annual Report
The Value of PEN
Video 1: Your Path to Patient Empowerment
Video 2: Learn More about Your Diagnosis
Video 3: Free Resources For Cancer Patients
Video 4: Community and Connection
Video 5: Bridging the Digital Divide
What Our Community is Saying About PEN
“PEN has been my go-to site for CLL Information for several years. The webinars are exceptional and very informative on updated information and care. This site brings me comfort and peace of mind in keeping up with new treatment information and education. I’m very grateful because Dr. appointments don’t allow the time to learn and ask questions, so PEN had been there for me always.” – Judith L.
“PEN has provided me, and the cancer community, with much pertinent and timely information about a lot of different cancers.” – Robert E.
“I came upon Patient Empowerment Network. It gave me reasoned and researched information along with some very positive stories from others who were going through similar journeys to mine. It was the first element of hope that I found in the early stages of my diagnosis and helped me immensely during the first few years.” – Elizabeth J.
“I was both a client served and an event participant. When I was first diagnosed with AML, PEN was an enlightening and inspirational resource. I not only gained valuable information about my illness and treatments but also was inspired by others who shared my illness and were living full lives despite it. ” – Patricia F.
Hear from PEN