About UFH Task Force for Women of Color

Roberta A. Albany

While receiving treatment for hormone receptor positive breast cancer in December 2013, Ms. Albany noticed there was a disconnect regarding the outcomes of underrepresented communities. To be part of the solution, Ms. Albany became a Young Women’s Advocate via Living Beyond Breast Cancer in September 2015. 

Ms. Albany has and continues to work with numerous advocacy organizations, including The Chrysalis Initiative, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Unite for Her to name a few.    Ms. Albany currently serves as a patient advocate (research advocate-breast committee) for SWOG Cancer Research Network. 

Ms. Albany is the Founder/CEO of Cancer In The Know, focusing on the impact disparities have in the Black/African American community and is a contributing author of Bruised, Broken & Blessed.

Dr. Nia Imani Bailey

Nia Imani Bailey, DPA, M.A.Ed, RT(T) is a 30-year-old, West Philadelphia native. She has been employed as a Radiation Therapist for the last 8 years! 

Dr. Bailey is the President and Founder of Agape–Finding Your Purpose, Incorporating Your Faith Non-Profit Organization. Its’ mission is to feed, clothe and fellowship with the homeless men and women of the Logan Square section of Philadelphia. Ultimately, the goal is to eradicate homelessness—everywhere. 

She is also the creator, writer and director of A Letter To My Sisters: A Breast Cancer Documentary For Young Women. The documentary gives some insight into the journey of young women dealing with their breast cancer diagnosis and life itself. 

Nia Imani is also the author of a children’s interactive book entitled, Love Thy Neighbor. Love Thy Neighbor highlights a little girl’s mission to feed, clothe and fellowship with homeless people. 

Ultimately, Nia Imani just wants to help people. She believes that is her purpose in life, and why God put me on this earth. She believes God placed her on this earth to show the love He has for her; therefore, she needs to show and give to others. Simple as that. 

Megan Claire-Chase

Megan-Claire Chase is an accomplished media and marketing professional and the new Breast Cancer Program Director at SHARE Cancer Support. As a 6-year stage IIA invasive lobular breast cancer survivor in Atlanta, GA, she became heavily involved in patient advocacy and research post-treatment. Megan-Claire, also known as Warrior Megsie, is a powerful communicator, public speaker, researcher, and published writer and has a personal blog called, Life on the Cancer Train.

She is a passionate advocate who effectively sheds light on the struggles and trials of those patients and survivors, especially those diagnosed under 40 years old. She has served on many panels and been the guest speaker for industry and nonprofit organizations including, Daiichi Sankyo’s 2022 US Medical Affairs, Teen Cancer America’s AYA cancer influencer for the 2022 National Black Family Cancer Awareness week, and member of the patient advisory board for Patient Power.  

In her spare time, Megan-Claire is a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and a contributing writer for WebMD. Megan-Claire and her work have been featured in the national press, including The New York Times and People Magazine, and thru numerous patient advocacy organizations. She works as a budding voice-over actor and is a proud cat mom to Nathan Edgar (Baby Natey).

Viola Wang

Viola came across Unite for HER in January 2021 when she was informed the difficult news that her breast biopsy was cancerous and needed immediate surgery.  Her aunt (in law), who is a twice breast cancer survivor, told her about UFH.  Just 2 days after her diagnosis, when everything was still terribly overwhelming, she found the much-needed support and community in the Virtual Hangout held on January 23.  For a good part of 2021, Unite for HER was an integral part of her support system in her breast cancer journey, providing different types of care from massage therapies, acupuncture, and CSA produce boxes, when she moved along from lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, to hormonal maintenance therapy and beyond.  Half-way into the journey in summer, she got involved in the Task Force for Women of Color, representing Chinese and broader Asian community. 

Professionally, Viola is a seasoned pharmaceutical scientist with nearly 20 years of experience in both academia and pharmaceutical industry. Currently, she serves as the Director of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics at WuXi Apptec, a major pharmaceutical contract research organization, supporting global biomedical researchers for their technical inquiries and project management needs. 

Viola received her Ph.D. in Oral Drug Delivery from University College Dublin in Ireland, her M.S. from King’s College London in the UK, and her B.S. from China Pharmaceutical University.  She also spent two years studying gastrointestinal barrier function at Lankenau Medical Center, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research outside Philadelphia immediately after moving to the U.S. 

Elvira Zuazo

Elvira is of Cuban descent and is a bilingual school psychologist and licensed counselor working in Philadelphia, Chester, and Delaware County. She became involved with Unite for Her after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2016. She presently helps host the Local and National Wellness Days in Spanish. Her passion is to help support Spanish-speaking individuals to understand and receive all possible resources.

Lucy De La Cruz, M.D.

Lucy Maria De La Cruz, MD, has joined MedStar Georgetown University Hospital as the Chief of the Breast Surgery Program and Director of the Ourisman Breast Center director of the MedStar Breast Health Program at MedStar Georgetown. She will be the director of the hospital’s breast surgery fellowship program.

Dr. De La Cruz is a fellowship-trained breast surgeon who specializes in a number of advanced procedures, including wireless lumpectomies, hidden scar technique, and nipple-sparing mastectomies. She has been published in over two dozen scientific papers and her pivotal paper on nipple sparing mastectomy oncologic outcomes has been sighted worldwide. She is currently a peer reviewer for the Annals of Surgical Oncology, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Jolene Hart, CHC, AADP

Jolene Hart, CHC is a health coach certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and founder of the pioneering beauty coaching practice Beauty Is Wellness. She is the author of the bestselling Eat Pretty book series, which helps readers build a lifestyle that supports their beauty and health using nutrition and self-care, and the newly released Ignite Your Light, a guide to your personal energy’s role in beauty, healing, and joy. At the heart of Jolene’s work is her desire to empower women with knowledge of their own ability to shape their lifelong beauty and health with simple tools and habits. Her private coaching looks at many areas of life, from stress and hormones to diet, digestion and safe personal care products, to help women build a lifestyle of beauty that enables them look and feel their best from the inside.

Crystal Williams

Cheldin Barlatt Rumer

Cheldin Barlatt Rumer is the CEO and Executive Producer of THIS IS IT NETWORK™, a global female, minority-owned, digital streaming platform. Each day THIS IS IT NETWORK™ shares inspiring stories with a diverse community of female leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs through educational entertainment. This inclusive and engaging content consists of online video programs and lifestyle blogs hosted and written by various captivating personalities and professionals. 

Rumer uses her magnetic personality, unmatched energy, and industry expertise to promote the accomplishments and ambitions of her international guests while captivating her global audience of remarkable women. Through a layered media strategy, she intentionally caters to her community’s multifaceted lives, both personally and professionally. 

Through her SCREAM YOUR DREAM™ online courses and in-person classes, she provides participants with the measurable tools and tactics needed to clarify their personal brand, share their brand stories, and generate results. 

As an immigrant from Sierra Leone, West Africa, a former Division 1 athlete, a mother of two, an adjunct professor, a personal branding expert, and an author, Rumer works diligently to encourage her audience to no longer whisper their wishes but to scream their dreams.

Evelyn Taiwo, M.D.

Dr. Evelyn Taiwo is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Attending Physician, and Hematology-Oncology fellowship program director at New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. 

She received her BS in Biology at the University of North Texas, and her MD at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Following her residency at Boston University Medical Center, Dr. Taiwo completed a three-year fellowship in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. 

She previously served as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn and as Attending Physician and Hematology-Oncology and Fellowship Site Director at Kings County Hospital. 

While at Kings County Hospital, Dr. Taiwo served in a leadership role at the Director of the Breast Cancer Clinic overseeing the operations, research activities, clinical care delivery, and education.  

In additional to clinical care, Dr. Taiwo’s work addresses disparities in breast and health care, with a focus on improving clinical trial enrollment, community engagement, and patient advocacy in breast cancer. As a researcher, she has contributed to several studies on cancer presentation in urban and minority patient populations. 

Alina Mateo, M.D.

Alina Mateo, MD is a surgical oncologist, specializing in breast cancer surgery at Penn Medicine’s Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. She also sees patients at Penn Medicine Radnor, an outpatient surgical center in Radnor Township, PA. In addition to her role as an assistant professor of clinical surgery at Penn Medicine, Dr. Mateo serves on Pennsylvania Hospital’s Medical Executive Committee and serves as Director of the Integrated Breast Center at Pennsylvania Hospital.

Dr. Mateo is a fellowship trained breast surgeon, specializing in many advanced procedures including nipple-sparing mastectomies, hidden scar techniques and treatments for complex breast disease. She attended medical school at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. She completed her residency at Abington Memorial Hospital and a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Dr. Mateo was inspired to pursue medicine by her mother, an accomplished neonatologist. She was drawn to breast cancer surgery because of the unique relationships a breast surgeon forms with their patients and because of her passion for addressing the disproportionate impacts breast cancer has on women of color. Fluent in both English and her native Spanish, much of her practice focuses on working with Spanish speaking communities to increase early detection and treatment outcomes of breast cancer.

Tiffany Clifton-Reed

Tiffany, my mother loves Audrey Hepburn and when she first saw Breakfast at Tiffany’s, she said when I have a daughter I am going to name her Tiffany and that she did! Tiffany is from Philadelphia, Pa. She graduated from Widener University with her Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science. She earned her Masters of Science in Healthcare Administration from Peirce College. Prior to her breast cancer diagnoses she was always an advocate of getting mammograms, she volunteered for other breast cancer organization at that time, encouraging the importance of mammograms and breast self-exams.

Tiffany was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) in October of 2020, 3 days before her 48^th Birthday, while in the middle of Grad School. Tiffany had been getting mammograms since she was 39. Tiffany chose to get it at that age because of what she learned over the years about Breast Cancer and her paternal grandmother had breast cancer. The frustration of having breast cancer just fueled her passion even more of being a Breast Advocate for others.

During Tiffany’s treatment and beyond, she decided to volunteer with organizations Like UFH, TNBC Foundation and Tigerlily just to name a few. Tiffany has learned so much through these organizations, that she is able to help others and give them great resources. Tiffany has been a guest speaker for WURD in Philadelphia, Mainline Today and  Eisai as well. During Tiffanys time in Grad School, she wrote her Capstone on Breast Cancer Disparities in Women of Color, Lack of Clinical Trials, with a focus on Triple Negative Breast Cancer. She wanted to see what researched showed about clinical trials in women of color, what they understood about it and TNBC. It’s important for women of color to participate in clinical trials, so we can see what treatment options may be best for us. During Tiffany’s time at Peirce College, she received The Raymond L. Palzer Academic Leadership Award from Peirce College in 2022.

Tiffanys has over 20 years in Mental Health and Substance Abuse in various settings. She currently works in Special Pharmacy at Penn Medicine as an Authorization Coordinator for Home Care. Tiffany is a member on the Health Equity Advocacy Council for Independence Blue Cross, and she is part of the Patient Pair Program through the Radiology Department at Abramson Cancer Center, where they pair you with a patient that is going through similar breast cancer treatments like she did. Tiffanys focus is to help make change in health disparities.

Crysty “Paradise” Jenkins

Crysty “Paradise” Jenkins is a survivor of Stage 1, non-invasive DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ), Grade 3 (high grade or poorly differentiated, ER & PR positive, breast cancer.

Diagnosed in 2019 at the age of 40, during the pandemic, Crysty had a lumpectomy with reconstructive surgery, underwent 6.5 weeks of radiation therapy, and is currently prescribed tamoxifen as hormone therapy (a pill a day for 5 years). 

Crysty “Paradise” Jenkins, Founder & CEO of Thee A.R.T. of Paradise, is a Spoken Word Artist, New Jersey native, mother, woman of God, Poet, Advocate, Mentor, Creator, and (soon to be) Author. She has both her associate’s and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and has been employed with NJEA for over 24 years. 

Known to the Poetry community as “Paradise”.  Paradise has been writing and reciting poetry for over two decades. It is through her relationship with God that she has learned, her gift of poetry is NOT for her but to inspire, uplift and motivate others. For, she truly believes POETRY IS INDEED THERAPY. It is the therapy of poetry that truly helped her through her battle with cancer.

Prior to her diagnosis, Paradise navigated the world as if she was invincible, untouchable! In short, her diagnosis was/is a CONSTANT reminder not to take anything or anyone for granted. It’s a reminder to LIVE life to the fullest extent of its existence, to CREATE (poetry) through MAGICAL MOMENTS, then create more magical moments and do this as many times and as often as possible. Cancer has encouraged and empowered her TO GIVE…LOVE, JOY, AND HAPPINESS, where and whenever she can. It reminds her to LIVE, LOVE, and LAUGH frequently, publicly, and most certainly OUT LOUD. Moreover, being diagnosed with cancer has taught her to give herself and love one more chance!! For she truly believes God has granted her “one more chance”.

Oluwadamilola Fayanju, MD, MA, MPHS, FACS

Dr. Oluwadamilola “Lola” Fayanju is the Helen O. Dickens Presidential Associate Professor in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (PENN) and Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery for the University of Pennsylvania Health System, aka Penn Medicine. She is also Surgical Director of the Rena Rowan Breast Center in the Abramson Cancer Center, Director of Health Equity Innovation at the Penn Center for Cancer Care Innovation (PC3I), and a Senior Fellow in the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics (LDI) at PENN. Dr. Fayanju is an academic breast surgical oncologist whose research spans four areas: (1) addressing disparities and promoting equity in breast cancer presentation, treatment, outcome, and clinical trial participation; (2) improving prognostication and treatment for biologically aggressive variants of breast cancer; (3) creating value in oncologic care, especially through the collection and application of patient-reported outcomes (PROs); and (4) elucidating the importance of race and ethnicity in the conduct of research and the promotion of a diverse healthcare and medical research workforce. She received her undergraduate degree in History and Science and an MA in Comparative Literature from Harvard. She received her MD and a master’s of population health sciences (MPHS) from Washington University in St. Louis, where she also completed her residency in General Surgery. She completed fellowship training in Breast Surgical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2019, she was recognized by the National Academy of Medicine as an Emerging Leader in Health and Medicine Scholar. Her research is supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and she has published in a variety of journals including Annals of Surgery, Cancer, and JAMA.

Chanel Baxter

Chanel S. Baxter was born and raised in Philadelphia and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Temple University.  She now resides in Chester County with her husband Jay and their son LJ.  Chanel has 25 years of experience in the retirement industry as a people leader and individual contributor and is currently a Product Owner at Infosys, a global leader in technology services and consulting.

Chanel is a Breast Cancer Survivor and Unite for HER Alumni.  She has served as a guest speaker at UFH events such as Pink Invitational and Harvest and is actively engaged in annual fundraising and volunteering activities for the organization.   Chanel has also served as a member of the UFH Task Force committee for the past 3 years with focus on diversity and inclusion.

Bridgett Battles

Bridgett Battles leads conversations on supplier diversity and community engagement with Jefferson’s external stakeholders. An essential part of Bridgett’s role is to collaborate and cultivated meaningful relationships that impact and improve the lives of the diverse communities Jefferson serves through engagement in workforce readiness, celebrating small businesses and acting as a resource for health and welfare.

Bridgett in collaboration with Jefferson’s Supply Chain Department at Jefferson launched Supply Chain Connect. Supply Chain Connect is where we offer potential diverse suppliers the opportunity to pitch their business virtually and we answer initial questions from prospective diverse businesses.  Jefferson’s Supplier Diversity program is designed to connect more minority, women, veteran, persons with disabilities, and LGBT-owned small businesses to opportunities at Jefferson.

She regularly lends her time to nonprofits that include Congreso de Latinos Unidos a data-driven, multi-service nonprofit organization with a mission to strengthen Latino communities.

Latrice Mumin

Dr. Latrice N. Mumin is a respected transformational leader with more than 20 years of experience specializing in talent acquisition, management, and leadership development. She is committed to utilizing her professional experiences in the business sector and education administration to empower communities. Dr. Mumin is an executive with a history of educational leadership, systems development, curriculum design, and program development. She has worked nationally in traditional public, charter school, and private school organizations.
Dr. Mumin currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent for the Chester Upland School District in Chester, PA. She previously served as Director of Accountability for the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) in the district. She has served as Director of Accountability for the MCIU at the Harrisburg School District in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as Director of Education Support and Director of Curriculum and Assessment for Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), franchisor of The Goddard School, nationally. She served as Director of Accountability, Chief Administrative Officer/Principal, and Head of School/Principal for Mosaica Education, Inc. (MEI), working with districts in Ohio and Washington, DC. Dr. Mumin has worked on design teams for schools in Philadelphia and Chicago. She has also served on P21 Accreditation teams for innovation in 21st century learning in Pennsylvania and California, led Middle State Accreditation renewals, and served as an early childhood education policy liaison for GSI in Washington, DC.
Prior to joining MEI, Dr. Mumin served as an assistant principal, district instructional specialist and teacher for Detroit Public Schools. Dr. Mumin has also served as an adjunct faculty member for Henry Ford College in Dearborn, MI.
Dr. Mumin is an active board member of the Tower Health-Reading Hospital Board and Centro Hispano of Reading and Berks County Board in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She also serves as a Task Force Member of Unite for HER, an Executive Mentor of Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development & Entrepreneurship and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Dr. Mumin continues to enhance her leadership skills in organizational effectiveness as a member of AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Center for School Study Councils at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.