Sharie Allen Kearns - Founder/President
Sharie Allen Kearns holds the President position of the nonprofit, Betty Allen Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, Inc. Her duties are spelled out in our by-Laws, and include leading meetings of our board of directors, voting on board decisions and participating in fundraisers. She will preside at all of the meetings of the board. Sharie is currently the president and owner of OMG Branding Solutions and has held various sales/management positions since 1990. She has her degree in BSAS from Youngstown State University and is currently attending Northeastern University Online to receive her Master's of Science in Nonprofit Management. Sharie has been volunteering since she was sixteen for several organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Gilda's Club, Franklin County Children's Services and various local hospitals.
Michele M. Hoover - Treasurer
Michele M. Hoover, CPA brings more than 25 years’ experience in diverse tax, financial and business consulting services to her role as a Certified Public Accountant and Managing Partner of Solomon & Hoover CPAs PLLC. Michele relocated to Florida in 2009 from Cleveland, Ohio.
Michele helps her business clients establish practical and sound tax and financial processes for greater success. She is committed to delivering attentive tax and accounting services that meet each client’s unique objectives.
Giving back to the community has always been important to Michele. She is a member of the Executive Board of Directors of SWFL Human Trafficking Coalition and an active member of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Estate Planning Council of Lee County.
Karen Richards - Secretary
It is with great sadness that the family of Karen Ann Richards announce her passing on November 27, 2020, at the age of 69.
For over thirty-two years, Karen served in marketing executive positions with several well-known Silicon Valley technology companies.
She had extensive experience in account management, market development, strategic planning, program development, public relations, and training. Karen joined the Betty Allen Gynecologic Cancer Foundation in 2016 as the board secretary. For the last year and a half, Karen was working on creating the free symptom's diary mobile app, due to be available in the summer of 2021.
Karen was nothing less than a true survivor; no matter what she did or what she went through, she found a way forward. She was always positive and enthusiastic, and relentlessly looked for the silver lining in life, even in the toughest of times. She was fearless, purposeful and a phenomenal leader and strategic thinker. Always in a hurry to do more, she was unforgettable and illuminated any room she graced. She leaves a huge void in the hearts of those blessed to know her.
Nicole Flothe - Board Member
Nicole Flothe is currently working as an RN and a Social Media Consultant. For 20+ years as a Nurse her passion for helping others has rang true in all that she does. Nicole graduated from Florida Atlantic University with her BSN and also has 15+ years in social media consulting, and online marketing for small businesses and non-profits. In 2020 Nicole received her certificate for a Certified Content Marketing Specialist and continues to enhance her education in the social media and marketing industry. Nicole is responsible for the social media graphic designs and assisting in updating the Betty Allen Gynecologic Cancer Foundation’s social sites and website as needed. Nicole lives in Naples, Florida with her husband, Jim and her three children, Nate, Jake, and Elizabeth.
Medical Advisory Board
Dr. Jimmy Orr, Jr., M.D., FACOG, FACS
Dr. Jimmy Orr specializes in Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecologic Oncology and currently serves as Director of Florida Gynecologic Oncology, and Lee Cancer Care at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers, FL. Recently Governor Rick Scott appointed Dr. James W. Orr, a gynecologic oncologist in Bonita Springs to the Board of Medicine. Dr. Orr was awarded the very first Saks Fifth Avenue Humanitarian Award (2000), has been listed in Good Housekeeping magazine’s “401 Best Doctors for Women” (1997), and is designated as one of the “Best Doctors in America” from 1996 to 2016..
Dr. Fadi Abu Shahin, M.D., FACOG
Dr Fadi Abu Shahin specializes in Gynecologic Oncology and Gynecologic Surgery. He pioneered single incision (scarless) laproscopic surgery for gynecology in Southwest Florida. In addition, he has special interest in palliative care and quality of life for women with cancer and is currently on staff at Hope Hospice. He moved to Southwest Florida three years ago after finishing his education at some of the top centers in the country; Yale University, Northwestern University, and Cleveland Clinic.
Edward C. Grendys, JR., M.D., FACOG, FACS
Dr. Edward Grendys shares a belief that all women with suspected or diagnosed gynecologic cancer should be offered access to modern treatment options that have been proven to offer a greater likelihood of an improved outcome. With a strong academic background, including a clinical faculty appointment at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Ill., Dr. Grendys continues to be involved with leading edge research in gynecologic oncology. His experience is diagnosing illness and disease and his complete surgical care has been gained from years of experience at major academic institutions. Dr. Grendys is an avid patient advocate. Dr. Grendys also has extensive experience in radical, as well as reconstructive, pelvic and abdominal surgery. He treats patients with dignity and compassion, and emphasizes quality of life care and patient satisfaction.
Samith Sandadi, M.D., MSc, FAC OG
Dr. Samith Sandadi shares the belief that all women with suspected or diagnosed gynecologic cancer should have access to the best treatment available. He also believes that the best outcomes are achieved through an educated partnership between the treating physician and the patient. It is essential to provide women with potential or diagnosed cancer a clear knowledge of their disease and all aspects of available treatment options. Dr. Sandadi strives to provide state-of-the-art care—from diagnosis to
post-treatment surveillance—in a warm and compassionate environment.
Valerie A. Butram, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN
Valerie has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 30 years, with 14 years of Oncology Nutrition experience & Board Certification in Oncology Nutrition with the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and the Commission of Dietetics & Registration. She is also a member of the Cancer Patient Education Network. She is a Licensed Dietitian in the State of Florida. She is certified in Adult Weight Management with the American Dietetic Association. Her clinical experience involves evidenced based nutrition counseling using motivational interviewing & coaching techniques in Oncology, Palliative Care, Hospice, Home Health, Integrative and Functional Nutrition, & Wellness Nutrition Education for reducing disease risk. Her current role as an Oncology Education Coordinator increases knowledge regarding prevention & early detection of cancer through education programs that are based on national cancer initiatives. She is also a member of Lee Health System Cancer Committee to provide QI for our oncology community. Having a cancer diagnosis is truly a teachable moment to be mindful of a healthy nutritional intake, and adequate physical activity for a balance of energy.
Mary Ann Orlang, RN,MSN,AOCNS
Mary Ann Orlang is an Advanced Oncology Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Regional Cancer Center. She has been a nurse for over 35 years and has been with the Lee Health system for over 12 years. She received her Master's of Science in Nursing degree from Kent State University in 1992. She completes the Intensive Course in Cancer risk assessment through the City of Hope in 2012 and has facilitated the growth of the Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment program to a new level of excellence for the Lee Health system.
Mary Ann provides assessment and counseling for patients and families at risk for hereditary cancer. She brings a strong clinical oncology background that helps assess a patient's cancer risk, educate, and recommend when appropriate, genetic testing. She provides post test counseling to explain the implications of the test result, as well as evidence based surveillance recommendations.
Mary Ann reaches out to educate the lay and medical professional community through seminars, breast care forums and other community events. Mary Ann is an active member of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) test development committee. She is also a member of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) and the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NCGC).
