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 Headshot

Tracy Rode

Executive Director
Aicha Diallo

Aicha Diallo

Senior Director of Programs
Kar Rayburn

Kara Rayburn

Digital Communications and Engagement Director

Susan Liberatore

Individual Giving Director
Nicole Normandin

Nicole Normandin Rueda, LMSW

Marketing and External Affairs Director
Robin Barnes New Headshot

Robin Barnes

Operations & Fundraising Advisor
Nykema Mpama

Nykema Mpama

Outreach & Engagement Coordinator
Reagan LaBor

Reagan Weist, MHA

Partnerships and Programs Manager

Andrea Winchell

Development Manager
Joelys Gonzalez

Joelys Gonzalez

Program Manager

PEN Team at the 2023 Staff Retreat

Board of Directors

Darla Brown

Darla Brown

Board Chair

Alyssa Gutjahr

Board Secretary
Nancy Gatschet

Nancy Gatschet

Board Treasurer
Lauri Bolton

Lauri Bolton

Board Member
LaWanda Byrd

LaWanda Byrd

Board Member
Sujata Dutta Headshot

Sujata Dutta

Board Member
Andrea Marquez Headshot

Andrea Marquez

Board Member
Photo of Deirdre McGinley-Gieser

Deirdre McGinley-Gieser

Board Member
Photo of Pam Rattananont

Pam Rattananont

Board Member
Lori Sackett

Lori Sackett

Board Member
Eric Vicks Headshot

Eric Vicks

Board Member

Empowerment Leads

Sherea Cary

Sherea Cary

Care Partner Empowerment Lead
Jessica Catlin

Jessica Catlin

Colon Cancer Empowerment Lead
Cora Connor

Cora Connor

RMC Empowerment Lead
Art Flatau

Art Flatau

AML Empowerment Lead
Carly Flumer

Carly Flumer

Thyroid Cancer Empowerment Lead
Summer Golden and Jeff Bushnell

Summer Golden and Jeff Bushnell

MPN Empowerment Leads
Miche’al Goodwin

Miche’al “Mikki” Goodwin

Gynecological Cancers Empowerment Lead
Lisa Hatfield

Lisa Hatfield

Myeloma Empowerment Lead
Gary Hooker

Gary Hooker

Prostate Cancer Empowerment Lead
Mary Leer

Mary Leer

Breast Cancer Empowerment Lead
Sabrina “Sabre” Ocasio

Sabrina Ocasio

Breast Cancer Empowerment Lead
Linda Ryan

Linda Ryan

Gynecological Cancers Empowerment Lead
Sasha Tanori

Sasha Tanori

AML Empowerment Lead
Diahanna Vallentine

Diahanna Vallentine

Financial Empowerment Lead

Volleen White

CLL Empowerment Lead
Christine Wu

Christine Wu

Lung Cancer Empowerment Lead
Nykema Mpama

Nykema Mpama

Outreach & Engagement Coordinator

Annual Report

The Value of PEN

Video 1: Your Path to Patient Empowerment

Your Path to Patient Empowerment from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Video 2: Learn More about Your Diagnosis

Learn More about Your Diagnosis from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Video 3: Free Resources For Cancer Patients

Free Resources for Cancer Patients from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Video 4: Community and Connection

Community and Connection from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

Video 5: Bridging the Digital Divide

Bridging the Digital Divide from Patient Empowerment Network on Vimeo.

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


PEN In the News

Board Emeritus

Ray Parisi

Jack Aiello

Sajjad Iqbal

Sajjad Iqbal

Scott Riccio