Conference Speakers

PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Andréa Leiserowitz graduated from the University of Michigan-Flint with her master’s degree in physical therapy in 1996 and has specialized in oncology for children and adults since. She became board certified in oncologic physical therapy in 2020 and earned her doctorate degree in physical therapy from the University of Montana in 2012. She is certified in lymphatic therapy and trained in oncology rehabilitation at the National Institutes of Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center. She opened the inpatient Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) stem cell transplant physical therapy program at the University of Washington Medical Center in 2000.

In 2003, Leiserowitz created and managed the outpatient physical therapy department at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for pediatric and adult cancer patients. She continues as the exercise trainer for the Fred Hutchinson/YMCA Exercise & Thrive program in Seattle for cancer survivors. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Washington, Western and Lane Community College and has several research, chapter and article publications pertaining to oncology rehabilitation. She teaches oncology rehabilitation nationally and internationally at conferences, hospitals and clinics. She loves working with kids and adults, providing holistic care based on prevention and early detection for cancer survivors.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Corey is a licensed professional counselor and is a registered therapist supervisor with the Oregon Board.  He has worked in the mental health field for the past 20 years, most of which he has spent working with children and families.  He is trained in   EMDR, Polyvagal Theory, Internal Family Systems, and trauma informed care.  He is also a certified practitioner in IASIS neurofeedback and Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) treatments for nervous system stabilization.  Corey is the currently the executive director of CAFA in Eugene, Oregon which recently launched the Emotional Support Program for Cancer (ESPC) with Corey's wife Stephanie Jackson who is a cancer survivor. 

GRAY BEAR ADVISORS

Antoinette LeCouteur is an experienced Life & Caregiver Coach specializing in personal resilience, stress navigation, and holistic well-being for families impacted by dementia, cancer, and chronic illness. Having delivered impactful workshops and programs for organizations such as Stanford Health, AARP, and the Cancer Support Community, Antoinette combines evidence-based coaching strategies with deep empathy to equip caregivers with real-world tools to move past survival mode. Her coaching draws heavily on the core insights she authored in RELIT: How to Rekindle Yourself in the Darkness of Compassion Fatigue, focusing on actionable resilience practices, clear communication techniques, and taking the ego out of caregiving to forge sustainable emotional support systems. Through individual and group coaching, she provides caregivers with the space, permission, and guidance needed to nurture their own mind and spirit while supporting loved ones.

MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST

Thoughtful and science-driven, Dr. Jennifer Gile provides personalized cancer care informed by rigorous clinical research and guided by each patient’s individual goals and choices.

“I’ve always loved science, but I realized early on that I couldn’t stay in a lab—I needed to work with people. Oncology allows me to engage with the science while building meaningful relationships with my patients.”

Dr. Gile has a particular interest in blood cancers, especially lymphoma, drawn by both personal experiences and the remarkable progress in treatment options over the past decade.

She is a strong advocate for shared decision-making and believes in building trust from the very first visit.

“I spend the time needed to truly understand my patients—their goals, their families, their circumstances—so that every treatment plan is built on a foundation of trust and respect.”

GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGIST

A former engineer, Dr. Gordon’s interest in community service and health equity led her to pursue a degree in medicine and specialize in gynecologic oncology. She is caring, sincere, and passionate about practicing oncology because of the deeply personal aspect of supporting patients through the emotional and physical stages of their disease. She believes in open communication and fostering relationships that establish trust and safety, allowing her to serve as a resource.

“It’s such an honor to be part of helping people through what can be the most difficult thing they are ever going to experience; I really try to assess a person’s values and what’s important to them, to give them as much autonomy and quality of life as possible.”

Dr. Gordon has a special interest in gynecologic oncology research, LGBTQIA2S+ health, minimally invasive surgery and robotics, has contributed to numerous peer reviewed articles, and currently serves on the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s national Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion Committee.

NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

Dr. Khaleed Alston is a naturopathic physician who has cared for thousands of patients, specializing in medically supervised weight loss at Southwest Family Physicians in Oregon. He leads the practice's comprehensive weight loss program, teaching classes on nutrition, habit formation, exercise, and the mindset required to make change last. As a Black male physician, he is direct about where the system fails patients, especially those it has historically failed, and he advocates hard for people to understand and own their care. He has lectured across the country, from clinical nutrition talks to public health audiences including WIC and Portland's Multnomah County Health Department. 

He is also the founder of Doctor Notes, an AI health platform that helps patients record, understand, and own their medical information. He built it after caring for his mother, Nuri, through metastatic breast cancer at 22, as her primary caregiver. Doctor Notes turns a doctor's visit into a clear, shareable record a family can actually work from, whether they're managing cancer, navigating dementia, or coordinating a parent's care from three states away. The company was selected for the inaugural, Google-backed Oregon AI Accelerator and named a finalist for a Technology Association of Oregon award. His belief is consistent: patients should own their medical information and feel empowered in a system that too often leaves them out.

MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST

A good listener who is open and culturally sensitive, Dr. Michael Oakes believes in developing strong, trusting relationships with patients and their families throughout their cancer journey.

“I always like to get to know a patient and what is important to them. Cancer care is not one size fits all, and I want to tailor care based not only on the details of their cancer but on the traits that define them as a person.”

Dr. Oakes chose WVCI because his wife is originally from Eugene, and all her family is here. “WVCI is a welcoming, collaborative group where I can easily consult with other doctors and focus on patient care, which has always been my main career goal. Additionally, having access to clinical trials allows me to provide patients with new and exciting treatments.”

GRAY BEAR ADVISORS

Peter Dudley is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and author who has helped more than 400 individuals and families navigate the emotional and practical demands of major health transitions, caregiving, and burnout. With a compassionate, human-centered approach, Peter empowers caregivers to cultivate sustainable strength and maintain personal balance amid life's most complex challenges. He has presented workshops for organizations including AARP, Stanford Health, and the Cancer Support Community. Drawing on extensive experience in emotional support and coping strategies, his coaching practice guides clients from feeling overwhelmed to experiencing clarity, boundary setting, and grounded agency. As the editor and co-author of RELIT: How to Rekindle Yourself in the Darkness of Compassion Fatigue and author of Take Your Time Before Time Takes You, Peter integrates practical exercises and resilience frameworks directly into actionable coaching strategies.

EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR CANCER, DIRECTOR

Stephanie Jackson is a cancer survivor and mosaic artist who believes in the healing power of art, especially when created in community with others.  She began her personal therapeutic art journey when her father passed away in 2014 from cancer.  Through creating art, she found a meaningful way to navigate emotions that sometimes words could not express.  She longed to share this with others.

Stephanie began teaching people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds (children, youth, adults, senior citizens, and people with disabilities at the OSLP Arts and Culture Program) as well as participating in community art events and exhibitions through the City of Eugene.  In 2019 Stephanie was offered an opportunity by Carolyn Rexius, the founder and former executive director of CAFA, to partner with licensed therapists and create a therapeutic art program to serve clients there.  

In 2023, Stephanie received a cancer diagnosis and experienced firsthand its emotional impact. As she sought to build tools for her own mental health, she realized that resources offered at CAFA could be a valuable way to promote mental wellness in a population she now closely identified with–cancer survivors.  In 2024, Stephanie approached CAFA’s board and received overwhelming support for launching a program that addresses the emotional needs of people navigating cancer. In April of 2025,  Emotional Support Program for Cancer began where Stephanie is now the program director.

CASCADE HEALTH

Tara started with Cascade Health in November 2022 as a Consultant for Cascade Health’s At Home Services: Home Health, Palliative Care, Hospice and the Pete Moore Hospice House. Her passion for serving her community grew from the time she was very young, seeing her grandparents and parents working and volunteering their time, energy and finances to support those in their communities who were faced with challenging circumstances.  Tara graduated from Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and spent many years managing teams and working in a Public Relations role for other non-profit organizations before finding her true calling at Cascade Health where her role now includes Business Development for all service lines. Tara loves to spend time with her husband extraordinaire and talented daughter, traveling the world - and shopping, of course!

NUTRITIONAL HEALTH COACH - NATURAL GROCERS

Yaakov received his Certification as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner from the Nutritional Therapy Association in 2007. Growing up in a home with a semi-invalid father who suffered from degenerative cardiovascular disease, Yaakov has been on a life-long journey towards supporting his own optimal health. He is passionate about teaching and coaching others towards their own optimal health goals. When not working Yaakov can be found hiking out in nature, in the kitchen cooking, or on the couch doing a crossword puzzle or reading. This Fall Yaakov will be celebrating 26 years cancer free!