Anne Katz, PhD, RN, FAAN

Anne is a sexuality counsellor in private practice in Winnipeg, Canada. Her focus is on sexual challenges for individuals and couples with or without cancer. She previously served as the editor of the Oncology Nursing Forum, the premier research journal of the Oncology Nursing Society. She was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 2014. She is the author of 13 books for health care providers and health care consumers on the topics of illness and sexuality as well as cancer survivorship. She is passionate about sexual and relationship issues for YAs with cancer; This Should Not Be Happening is her book for YAs that she hopes is helpful. Anne is also a featured contributor and speaker in Cactus Cancer Society’s continuing education course, The Full Picture of AYA Cancer.

Myleena Grenis, MSW, LISW, CADC, Metastatic Cancer Thriver

Myleena is a Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor dedicated to supporting individuals living with chronic illness and those impacted by cancer. She is an LGBTQ+-affirming provider who offers compassionate, inclusive care grounded in evidence-based and expressive approaches.

Myleena integrates Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients navigate uncertainty, develop resilience, and find meaning within life’s complexities. Her clinical focus includes mindfulness, journaling, gratitude practices, body positivity, trauma recovery, grief work, and the development of strength-based coping skills.

She is deeply passionate about social work, with a particular interest in engaging individuals who may feel disconnected from traditional therapeutic spaces and creating a therapy experience that is both effective and approachable. Patients working with Myleena know therapy is non-threatening and fun. Myleena has professional experience across educational, medical, and private practice settings.

Her commitment to supportive oncology work is informed by lived experience, having received a cancer diagnosis at age 31, followed by time in a caregiver role. This personal and professional journey led her to serve as the Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program Therapist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Myleena currently practices at Meadowlark Psychiatric Services in North Liberty, Iowa, where she values being part of an integrated team offering psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, and psychological testing. Minimizing these barriers in Mental Health Care, she considers essential.

She facilitated the Pause Project as a Volunteer with Cactus Cancer Society, is connected with Camp Kesem as a Mental Health Professional, and is on the Parent Advisory Board for Bright Spot Network. Myleena is also a featured speaker and contributor to Cactus Cancer Society’s continuing education course, The Art of Survivorship.

Julie Larson, LCSW

Julie has spent the entirety of her professional career in oncology supportive care. A graduate of Columbia University, she began her career at CancerCare, where she developed and directed the young adult program, noticing a gap in supportive care for a unique population. As a trusted advocate for mental health care throughout the cancer trajectory, she has contributed to initiatives and programming for many hospitals and organizations. Julie currently sits on the medical advisory board for Stupid Cancer, Cactus Cancer Society, and the Mercy One Richard Deming Cancer Center, a multidisciplinary survivorship care center for cancer survivors in the Midwest.

Today, in her private practice, Julie meets with survivors of all ages and any diagnosis, combining her training in cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and narrative therapy to help her clients strengthen inherent strengths and strategies for navigating hardship. She is a sought-after speaker/educator for many oncology conferences, professional organizations, and corporate groups. Julie is a frequent contributor to Coping, Cure, Elephants & Tea, and The Gabster Magazine, as well as a guest on numerous health & wellness podcasts.

Julie’s TED talk “Living in the And” is based on 17 years of clinical work bearing witness to the resilience of individuals facing an unexpected medical diagnosis. Julie maintains a private practice in Des Moines, IA, but works with survivors across the country. Julie is also a featured speaker and contributor to Cactus Cancer Society’s continuing education course, The Art of Survivorship.

Lauren Morales, MSW, LCSW

Lauren Morales (she/her) is a licensed clinical social worker, young adult cancer survivor, and guest faculty member with Cactus Cancer Society. She serves as a contributing expert and featured presenter for the organization’s continuing education course, The Art of Survivorship, which explores the emotional, psychosocial, and practical realities of life after cancer.

Prior to becoming a guest faculty member, Lauren served as Senior Program Coordinator at Cactus Cancer Society, where she developed and facilitated psychosocial programs for young adults affected by cancer. Today, Lauren works in behavioral health crisis response and case management within the military sector while continuing to support individuals and groups impacted by cancer, chronic illness, and medical trauma through her private practice. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to helping people navigate uncertainty, rebuild trust in themselves and their bodies, and create meaningful lives alongside difficult experiences.

With more than a decade of experience across healthcare, mental health, military, and community-based settings, Lauren has worked in hospitals, primary care clinics, military installations, nonprofit organizations, and private practice. Her clinical work has focused on trauma, grief, oncology, chronic illness, and life transitions. As both a clinician and young adult Hodgkin Lymphoma survivor, she is particularly passionate about meaning-making, identity development, intersectionality, and building authentic community within the adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer space.

Outside of work, Lauren can usually be found curled up with a good book and her two dogs, experimenting with a new recipe, exploring local restaurants, or engaging in some kind of creative hobby. She is also an active-duty military spouse, a proud auntie, and a passionate advocate for equitable, accessible healthcare. To learn more about Lauren and her work, visit her website at www.seekingsunrisetherapy.com

Dennis Heffern, MSW, LCSW

Dennis has worked in the human services field since 1988. The early part of his career was spent working with at-risk adolescents in residential settings, including community group homes and secure psychiatric cottage units, in New York State. His work with youth continued in his capacity as a high school teacher and counselor for the Jesuit Volunteers for three years in Belize, Central America.

Upon completion of a graduate degree in Social Work in 1997, Dennis relocated to Denver, CO, and resumed working with youth as the Program Supervisor for Urban Peak, a homeless shelter and drop-in-center for youth under 21. In 1998, Dennis began doing Medical Social Work with a 4-year stint at Denver Health Medical Center, working in both hospital and outpatient clinic settings. Serving a wide variety of medical specialties, a significant portion of this time was spent working with people living with HIV/AIDS, including time with Behavioral Health providing substance abuse treatment and methadone maintenance. The majority of Dennis’ social work career involved providing clinical social work services to adults and families affected by cancer at Kaiser Permanente’s Franklin Oncology Clinic in central Denver, from 2002-2023. Dennis most recently worked as an Integrated Mental Health Specialist in Primary Care at Kaiser Permanente.

In 2025, Dennis retired from Kaiser Permanente and has launched a private practice with emphasis on work with individuals affected by cancer and chronic illness.

Dennis is married to Jennifer, also a medical social worker, and they are parents to children, Megan and Ethan, and Layla, a small, but busy Goldendoodle. Self-care for Dennis will always be found on a mountain bike in the foothills of the Rockies, but if the trails are wet or snowy, he just might go skiing. While Dennis has adopted the Denver Broncos during his 20-plus years in Colorado, at heart he is a Buffalo Bills fan!

Jean Rowe, LCSW, OSW-C, CJT

Jean is an expert consultant and trusted voice in the field of young adult cancer. Her work includes educational product and program development, delivery, management, and evaluation. Jean is an expert facilitator who designs, implements, and delivers continuing education for healthcare providers and journal writing workshops to young adult cancer survivors and the general public.

Jean has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally on varied topics related to her work and interests. She has worked with others through companies providing therapy and is guest faculty with Cactus Cancer Society. Jean provides supervision to individuals working towards clinical licensure as social workers and provides clinical consultation to those already licensed. Jean is also a featured contributor and speaker in Cactus Cancer Society’s continuing education course, The Art of Survivorship. To learn more about Jean and her work, please visit www.workwithjeanrowe.com

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**Jean Rowe runs structured journal writing programs. Nothing in these programs constitutes psychotherapy, nor do they establish a therapist-client relationship.**