Community Education

Michelle has spent the majority of her career working at the University of Washington Medical Center, Gilda's Club/Cancer Pathways, and her private counseling practice, Massey Counseling.

She has worked in Oncology Social Work for 20 years and uses stress management techniques based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to assist patients and family members cope with cancer, chronic and traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Morhaf Al Achkar, MD, Ph.D. was born in Aleppo-Syria and migrated to the United States in 2006 after finishing medical school. He also obtained a Ph.D. in Education from Indiana University. Currently, he is a practicing family physician and a faculty member at the University of Washington.

In 2016, Morhaf was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer; he was 33 years old. Since then, his research has focused on the experience of patients living with lung cancer. His book, “Roads to Meaning and Resilience with Cancer,” is based on interviews he did with 39 patients who live, like him, with incurable cancers. He has also published his memoir entitled, “Being Authentic.” In his research and writings, he explores how people with cancer find meaning, authenticity, and build resilience.

Dr. Julie Gralow is the Jill Bennett Endowed Professor of Breast Medical Oncology and Professor of Global Health at the University of Washington School of Medicine, a Professor in the Clinical Research Division at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Director of Breast Medical Oncology at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. She is actively involved in breast cancer clinical care, education, and research, and has conducted local and national clinical trials related to breast cancer treatment, prevention, and survivorship. Her main area of research specialization is in understanding the relationship between breast cancer and the bone environment.

Dr. Gralow is Executive Officer for breast and lung cancer for the SWOG National Clinical Trials Network. She received the ASCO Humanitarian Award in 2018 for her work in empowering women cancer patients and survivors. She is co-founder and team physician of Team Survivor Northwest, an exercise and fitness program for woman cancer survivors. She is also founder of the Women’s Empowerment Cancer Advocacy Network (WE CAN), a group dedicated to empowering women cancer patient advocates in low and middle income countries.

Presented by Jana Mastrogiovanni, LMHC, LPC,
Southeast Regional Program Manager at Cancer Pathways

Jana Mastrogiovanni is a licensed therapist whose specialty is working with individuals and families coping with a life-threatening disease. She has over a decade of experience working in the cancer field and participating in projects related to health and chronic disease. She began her work at Cancer Pathways as a group facilitator in 2013, and since then has become more involved in the development and implementation of our Cancer Happens® Teen Education program. In 2016, she assisted with Cancer Pathway’s national expansion into the Southeastern Region. She currently serves on the advisory board for the South Carolina Health Advocates (SCHA), HPV workgroup member of Georgia’s Cancer Control Consortium, and a member of Athens Oncology Leadership Council. She recently accepted the 2020 HPV Champion Award in Georgia on behalf of Cancer Pathways for our efforts to increase HPV vaccination rates among our youth and reduce HPV-related cancers. Jana loves her current work and participating in our innovative programs that will impact generations of teen health across the nation.