Speakers and Panelists
John C. Lincoln Hospitals, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 12 News and Fry's Food Stores would like to thank these talented individuals for helping make this year's Buddy Check 12 Girflriends Getaway a success!
Linda Benaderet, DO
Oncologist and Hematologist - John C. Lincoln Hospitals
Linda Benaderet, DO, has been practicing oncology and hematology—the specialty of caring for cancer patients—in Phoenix for nearly two decades. Her philosophy of care is to care for the patient as a whole person, rather than focus merely on the illness. She believes in the power of a cheerful attitude; she finds ways of infusing laughter and joy into the treatment process.
Dr. Benaderet earned her medical degree in 1978 at Michigan State University and relocated to Arizona in 1985. She is board certified in internal medicine and oncology, and is a member of the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Physicians. Dr. Benaderet practices at both John C. Lincoln Hospitals.
Fran Capo
Comedienne, author, TV personality and the World's Fastest Talking Woman
Fran thrives on adventure and laughter. She’s climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, dove to the wreck of the Titanic and holds the world’s record as the fastest-talking woman. Her performance, called “Dare to Do It,” combines humor and practical advice to help women conquer obstacles.
"When I was a kid, my mom gave me three pieces of philosophy to live by: 1) have a positive attitude; 2) nothing’s impossible; and 3) try new things," Fran says. “My dad added his two cents by teaching me to laugh at things and not to take life so seriously. So between the two of them, I would try something new, and if it didn’t work, I’d learn to laugh at it later."
Heather Cunliffe, PhD
Investigator and Head of Breast & Ovarian Cancer Research Lab - Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen)
Heather Cunliffe, PhD is head of the breast cancer research unit at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, Arizona—a not-for-profit organization dedicated to translating findings from the Human Genome Project into new ways of managing complex diseases.
Dr. Cunliffe’s research focuses primarily on identifying molecules underlying breast and ovarian cancers that are resistant to, or that have acquired resistance to therapy. In one study, she is striving to help physicians more accurately diagnose and treat patients who have a genetic predisposition for developing breast cancer.
In the United States, breast cancer accounts for 30% of all cancers diagnosed and 16% of all cancer deaths in women. While tumors are complex and diverse, Dr. Cunliffe is using powerful new technologies to predict, identify and monitor tumor growth, while facilitating the development of highly targeted anti-cancer treatments.
Lobsang Dhargya
Practitioner of Healing Arts - Hotel Valley Ho Spa
Lobsang Dhargya is a practitioner of Tibetan tantric yoga healing arts at VH Spa for Vitality & Health at the Hotel Valley Ho. He bases his message therapies on early forms of Tibetan medicine, focusing on increasing blood flow and oxygenation to muscles through trigger point and acupressure.
Mr. Dhargya studied Buddhist teachings as a native Tibetan monk from ages seven to 24. In 1987, Mr. Dhargya fled Tibet for India with his brother and other Tibetans, due to the Chinese government's repression of Tibetan culture and freedoms. While in India, he continued to study Buddhism and grew more interested in the yoga practices of Indian sages. He has also studied the marshal arts tai chi and chi gon from Shaolin monks in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province.
Arlene Gil
Professional Belly Dancer
Arlene is a professional belly dance performer and instructor who is based in the East Valley. She fell in love with the art of bellydancing after attending classes in New York and New Jersey in 2001. She loves how any woman can express her beauty in bellydancing while attaining greater grace, balance, muscle control and self-esteem. She is forever a student of the art of bellydancing.
Melodie Lewis
Community Volunteer
Melodie Lewis has a commitment to sharing her breast cancer story and giving other women hope. She wants to show that having cancer does not have to entail “being” cancer. While cancer changes the trajectory of one's life, Ms. Lewis offers a heroic example that we can choose to live fully, regardless of the diagnosis or prognosis we might face.
Ms. Lewis has continued the active, health-minded lifestyle that she led prior to diagnosis. She has snorkeled in Hawaii, been shipwrecked in Alaska, traveled to Europe twice and learned how to surf in Mexico. Climbing Mount Whitney this July is also in her calendar. In the meantime, she will be completing her term as president of the board of trustees at the Desert Botanical Garden. “I fear cancer every single day, but I am not going to let it get the best of me,” Ms. Lewis says.
Brenda Moorthy, DO
Breast Surgeon - John C. Lincoln Hospitals
Brenda Moorthy, DO relocated to Phoenix after earning her medical degree at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences and her internship in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Moorthy completed her medical residency in surgery at Maricopa Medical Center in 2004, followed by a fellowship at the University of Southern California.
Dr. Moorthy studied with Dr. Melvin Silverstein, who is world renowned for building the first breast center in the U.S. as well as for work in the ductal carsinoma in-situ, the most common of type of non-invasive breast cancer (where the cancer cells have not spread beyond the ducts). Dr. Moorthy is board certified in general surgery and has been in practice at both John C. Lincoln Hospitals for more than two years.
Pablo Prichard, MD
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon - John C. Lincoln Hospitals
Plastic surgeon Pablo Prichard, MD, moved to Phoenix after earning his medical degree at the University of Texas, Galveston, and completing a both a residency in surgery and fellowship in plastic surgery at Michigan State University, Grand Rapids. Dr. Prichard has been practicing plastic and reconstructive surgery for seven years. He has been on staff at both John C. Lincoln Hospitals since late last year.
Dr. Prichard is sought out by many patients from across the country and internationally. These patients seek Dr. Prichard's skill and expertise in helping them with their most complicated reconstructive surgery.