|
|
Carmen Ortiz, Ph.D, an experienced psychologist and breast cancer survivor, has served as Director of the Círculo de Vida support program in San Francisco since 1995. Dr. Ortiz specializes in Spanish-language support group development and community outreach planning. She developed and implemented a hospital based support program for newly diagnosed Latinas at San Francisco General. Dr. Ortiz also developed and implemented an in-home support program for Latinas in the terminal phase of their illness. Dr. Ortiz has spoken at various conferences throughout the years, including Mayor Willie Brown's 1996 Breast Cancer Summit.
Email: carmen@circulodevida.org
Dimas Moncada, Jr., LCSW, has fifteen years of experience working with the chronically ill. He worked for over seven years with children, adolescents and families dealing with issues of abuse and parenting at La Clínica de la Raza in Oakland. He currently works for the San Francisco Department of Public Health's Mission Mental Health Center to assess children with learning disabilities in order to minimize negative impact of mental health issues on a child's learning. In addition to overseeing staff, Mr. Moncada also facilitates the group for 9-12 year old children. He has been with CDV since July 2002.
Email: dimas@circulodevida.org
Elizabeth Chavez, MS, is a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern with close to 10 years experience working with individuals who have chronic mental illness. She has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families using psychotherapy, and has worked extensively with domestic violence issues. Ms. Chavez facilitates the group for 6-8 year old children. She joined CDV in May 2003.
Jose Luis Cañaveral, MSW, is a Clinical Social Work Intern who has worked in child welfare for the San Francisco Department of Human Services since 2001. He has experience in mental illness and child abuse issues, and has done psychotherapy and case management with children, adolescents and adults. He came on in July 2003 to lead the 3-5 year old group.
Cesar Abarca, MS, is a social worker currently working as a Team Decision Making facilitator with the Department of Human Services, City and County of San Francisco. Mr. Abarca has 12 years of experience working with Latino children, youth and families. He is also trained in crisis intervention, risk assessment, mediation, and strengths-based social work with a context in social justice. He came on in February 2004 to lead the teen group.
Ana Estrada was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 at the age of 29. She joined Dr. Ortiz' support group shortly after her diagnosis and has been a faithful and consistent member for the past six years. Since 2000, Ms. Estrada has worked with CDV as an in-home support counselor providing support services to Latinas in the terminal phase of their illness. In 2002 she received training in group facilitation, covering a variety of topics including assessing cancer patients, group development, active listening, the role of the facilitator, and death and dying. She now facilitates the young mothers group.
Maria Rubio was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, and has been a long-standing member of the CDV women's group. She has been an in-home support counselor since 2000, providing support to Latinas in the terminal phase of their illness and to those too ill to attend a support group. Ms. Rubio was trained as a facilitator and hired in April 2003 to lead the new mixed-age support group.
Salvador Guerrero, M.D., NBF runs the CDV Men's program providing in-hospital support for Latino men diagnosed with cancer, and in-home support for the terminal phase of their illness. He is a Nationally Certified Bereavement Facilitator with the American Academy of Bereavement, and a Certified American Red Cross CPR Instructor. In addition, he is a medical consultant for Telemundo 48/Univision 14, as well as Spanish Radio 1010AM/1170FM. Dr. Guerrero has a Medical Degree and a Physical Therapy Technical Degree from the University of Guadalajara, Mexico.
Debra J. Ballinger is a nonprofit consultant who specializes in organizational, program and fund development. With over 25 years experience in the nonprofit sector, she served as the Executive Director of the Cancer Support Community when CDV was founded in 1992. She coauthored a manual for starting Spanish-language cancer support groups with Dr. Ortiz. She has worked with a broad range of organizations including the California Teachers Association's Institute for Teaching, BRIDGE Housing Corporation, the Industrial Areas Foundation, Northern California Cancer Center, and FiftyCrows Foundation. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Mills College. She has worked with CDV since 2000.
Julian Foley is a freelance writer and editor covering international development and environmental issues, local politics, education, and most recently, the courts. She holds Master degrees from the University of California, Berkeley in Journalism and Latin American Studies. She has been with CDV as a grant writer since 2003.
Nicole Henderson has a degree in Spanish from the University of San Diego, and a certificate in Spanish/English Medical Interpreting. She has worked with San Francisco General Hospital providing interpreting and translation services. Ms. Henderson is also a Spanish and English language teacher. She has been with CDV since September of 2004.
Email: nicole@circulodevida.org
Translation - Marinieves Diaz-Mendez
Fundraising - Jessica Meyer
Web - Brooke Shields
Translation - Maria S. Tuthill, Breast and Cervical Cancer Services, S. F. Dept of Public Health
CDV Logo courtesy of Brenno Baldo & The Taproot Foundation
|
