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Gather & Grow has ended
Type: SoHo Ballroom clear filter
Saturday, April 11
 

8:30am MST

Breakfast
Saturday April 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MST
SoHo Ballroom
Enjoy a light breakfast in the ballroom, then step into the courtyard to connect with our amazing nonprofit vendors offering free resources just for you.

Today’s breakfast is made possible by our generous sponsor, Branden Lombardi Foundation. Thank you for your incredible support!
Sponsors
avatar for Branden Lombardi Foundation

Branden Lombardi Foundation

Improving the lives of cancer patients today
Saturday April 11, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

9:00am MST

Opening Ceremony
Saturday April 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MST
SoHo Ballroom
Kick off the day with a heartfelt welcome from Alyssa, Founder and Executive Director of Chemo Companions. She will open Gather & Grow by sharing the mission behind the event and setting the tone for a day of connection, wellness, and education. Join us as we come together to honor the strength of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers, and begin a day dedicated to support, hope, and growth.
Speakers
avatar for Alyssa Gofonia-Dinowitz

Alyssa Gofonia-Dinowitz

Founder & Executive Director, Chemo Companions
Alyssa Dinowitz is the Founder and Executive Director of Chemo Companions, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing love, compassion, understanding, and hope to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Inspired by her mother, Marriann, and the experiences Alyssa witnessed during her treatment, Alyssa recognized a critical gap in emotional, practical, and holistic support for patients. What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into a compassionate community effort rooted... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 9:00am - 9:15am MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

9:15am MST

Living Well Beyond Cancer: Hope, Healing, and Resilience
Saturday April 11, 2026 9:15am - 9:45am MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Heidi Rula, MD

Heidi Rula, MD

Medical Director of the Supportive Care Services Department, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Dr. Heidi Rula joined Ironwood in 2018 to launch the Integrative Oncology program. She is board certified in family medicine and fellowship trained in Integrative Medicine. Dr. Rula has been a practicing physician in the Phoenix area for over 20 years and has been recognized by her... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 9:15am - 9:45am MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

10:00am MST

Latest Advances in Cancer Treatment & Survivorship Care
Saturday April 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Karen Ortiz, MD

Karen Ortiz, MD

Medical Oncologist, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Dr. Ortiz joined Ironwood Cancer & Research Center in September 2014, after completing her hematology and medical oncology fellowship at the University of South Carolina in Charleston. She completed two years of research at the National Cancer Institute | National Institutes of Health... Read More →
avatar for Sumeet K. Mendonca, MD

Sumeet K. Mendonca, MD

Medical Oncologist, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Dr. Sumeet Mendonca serves as the Director Of Breast Oncology at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers. She received her medical degree from University of Mumbai after which she spent several years in research at the Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases at University... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

10:30am MST

Managing Common Cancer Treatment Side Effects
Saturday April 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Onyemaechi Okolo-Taku, MD

Onyemaechi Okolo-Taku, MD

Medical Oncologist, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Dr. Onyemaechi Okolo-Taku joined Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in 2021. She has been blessed with a multicultural and multinational upbringing, which has greatly influenced her everyday interactions, her cultural competency, and her work. She was born in Nigeria and lived there... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 10:30am - 11:00am MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

11:00am MST

Nutrition & Cancer: What the Science Really Says
Saturday April 11, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Lauren Duda, RD

Lauren Duda, RD

Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Lauren was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona and has lived throughout the Valley her entire life. She attended Arizona State University and graduated with her undergraduate degree in Nutrition (Dietetics) and a minor in Family and Human Development in December 2017. Lauren completed... Read More →
avatar for Brenda Gridley, RD

Brenda Gridley, RD

Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Brenda is originally from Los Angeles, CA where she attended California State University of Los Angeles for her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Science. She began her career with Kaiser Permanente in 2004. Throughout her professional development, she has worked in Cardiology and... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 11:00am - 11:30am MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

11:30am MST

Exercise Oncology: The Power of Exercise in Cancer Care
Saturday April 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Chad Cherington, MD

Chad Cherington, MD

Medical Oncologist, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers

Chad Cherington, MD
Medical Oncologist
Brain Malignancies
Director of Genitourinary Oncology
Skin & Sarcoma
"Dr. Cherington has given me a new lease on life and more time to watch my kids grow up after being diagnosed with a rare Sarcoma cancer last year. He has been an excellent phys... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 11:30am - 12:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

12:00pm MST

Lunch
Saturday April 11, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
Enjoy a delicious lunch, then head to the courtyard to connect with nonprofit organizations offering free resources you may not have had a chance to explore earlier.

Today’s lunch is made possible by our generous sponsor, Breast Cancer Index. Thank you for your incredible support!
Sponsors
avatar for Breast Cancer Index

Breast Cancer Index

Biotheranostics, a Hologic Company
Breast Cancer Index is Biotheranostics's diagnostic tool that is backed by both NCCN and ASCO guidelines to help providers and patients determine how long an HR+ Breast Patient needs to be on endocrine therapy as well as her risk of late distant recurrence.
Saturday April 11, 2026 12:00pm - 12:30pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

12:30pm MST

Genetics & Family Risk: What Patients & Families Should Know
Saturday April 11, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Cassidy Pedraza, MS, CGC

Cassidy Pedraza, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Cassidy joined Ironwood Cancer Center and Research Centers in February 2025. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling from Arizona State University. During her training... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 12:30pm - 1:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

1:00pm MST

Managing Fear: Tools for Survivors and Caregivers
Saturday April 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Jodi Puhalla, BSW

Jodi Puhalla, BSW

Social Worker, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Jodi Puhalla obtained her social work degree from MN State University/Moorhead. Most of her 30 year career has been spent as medical social worker in hospitals, long term care, hospice and most recently as an oncology social worker with Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers.

A native of Minnesota, Jodi moved to the Phoenix area in 2020 to be near her grandson. After living in Asia for 5 years, she developed a passion for meditation and the healing arts. She enjoys supporting others through life’s transitions and assisting with the discovery of their bo... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

1:30pm MST

Caring for the Caregiver
Saturday April 11, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Patricia Bolivar, LMSW

Patricia Bolivar, LMSW

Social Worker, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Patricia Bolivar, LMSW joined Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers June 2025. She has been a social worker for over 20 years primarily in the medical setting – inpatient hospital Oncology and ICU as well as outpatient Oncology and Hospice services.

She has a bachelor’s and a mas... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 1:30pm - 2:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

2:00pm MST

Navigating Cancer: Survivor & Caregiver Stories
Saturday April 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm MST
SoHo Ballroom

Speakers
avatar for Taylor Reed, LMSW

Taylor Reed, LMSW

Social Worker, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Taylor Reed is a Licensed Master Social Worker and an Arizona native. She earned her master’s in social work from the University of Kentucky and holds a double bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology from Northern Arizona University.

Taylor has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families through hospice care, crisis intervention, and serious illness support. She has experience in grief counseling, care coordination, and connecting patients with essential resources. Her passion is to empower indivi... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom

2:30pm MST

Closing Ceremony
Saturday April 11, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
Courtney Fox will lead us through a closing ceremony with a gentle blend of mindful movement, calming breathwork, and guided intention setting. Designed to support healing and inner resilience, this practice offers space to release, restore, and reconnect with the body’s natural wisdom. Participants will be invited to set a personal intention they can carry forward as a reminder of strength, hope, and self-compassion.
Speakers
avatar for Alyssa Gofonia-Dinowitz

Alyssa Gofonia-Dinowitz

Founder & Executive Director, Chemo Companions
Alyssa Dinowitz is the Founder and Executive Director of Chemo Companions, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing love, compassion, understanding, and hope to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Inspired by her mother, Marriann, and the experiences Alyssa witnessed during her treatment, Alyssa recognized a critical gap in emotional, practical, and holistic support for patients. What began as a deeply personal mission has grown into a compassionate community effort rooted... Read More →
avatar for Heidi Rula, MD

Heidi Rula, MD

Medical Director of the Supportive Care Services Department, Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers
Dr. Heidi Rula joined Ironwood in 2018 to launch the Integrative Oncology program. She is board certified in family medicine and fellowship trained in Integrative Medicine. Dr. Rula has been a practicing physician in the Phoenix area for over 20 years and has been recognized by her... Read More →
avatar for Courtney Fox

Courtney Fox

Courtney Fox Yoga

As an Arizona Native, Courtney cherishes the opportunity to teach and inspire people in her hometown. Courtney found yoga about 15 years ago, and the practice has transformed her life both on and off the mat. As a former competitive gymnast, she understands the importance of balancing wor... Read More →
Saturday April 11, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm MST
SoHo Ballroom
  SoHo Ballroom
 

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Saturday, April 11
Main Place Courtyard
SoHo Ballroom
Valley Ho Ballroom 1 - Breakout Room 1
Valley Ho Ballroom 2 - Breakout Room 2
  • Main Place Courtyard
  • SoHo Ballroom
  • Valley Ho Ballroom 1 - Breakout Room 1
  • Valley Ho Ballroom 2 - Breakout Room 2