Our Dedicated Team Focused on Helping Brain Tumor Patients

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in May 2013, Joy’s life changed forever. She knew she only wanted to dedicate her life to those things that fulfilled her and make a profound impact. After brain surgery in August 2013, Joy found a SBTF sponsored patient support group. She not only found a group, but a place she could call home that included like-minded patients and caregivers that were instrumental in saving her life during her 8 year long battle. While attending support groups, she was asked to join to Foundation Board where she served for several years. Because of her degree and 20+ years experience in event planning and programs, she was asked to volunteer and assist the Executive Director with Race for Research beginning in 2015. This volunteer position turned into a part time position and grew into full time. For the past 10 years, Joy has been passionate about supporting not only patients and caregivers, but also the Foundation and its outreach to the brain tumor community and educating on the programs offered by the SBTF.

Suzanne is a member of the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation's Board of Directors and she has held the position of SBTF Treasurer since 2013. Suzanne is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she received her BA in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems. Her special interests involve spending time family, quilting, bowling and a plethora of other hobbies. An employee of Deli Provisions since 1999, and subsequently with Atlanta Deli Provision Company, she has been a member of the SBTF Board since 2004. During her junior year in college, Ms. Boeren was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Removal of the tumor occurred in November 1998 and she has been an active brain tumor advocate ever since.

Andrew and his family are forever grateful for the work the Southeastern Brain Tumor Association does not only in research, but also to help guide families through a brain tumor diagnosis. Andrew was diagnosed with an Oligodendroglioma on Valentine’s Day, 2021.  After connecting with Brad Roberts, current SBTF Board Member, Andrew found an incredible set of doctors and hospitals to guide his treatment. He is passionate about supporting others as they navigate their own Brain Tumor journey.  Andrew and his wife, Kristina, have two young daughters, Ella Kate and Caroline.  Andrew is an Assistant Vice President with Cox Communications where he has worked since 2015.  Prior to joining Cox, Andrew led consulting engagements for Capgemini.  He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering.  

Chris is Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at Emory University School of Medicine and sees patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital in metro Atlanta as well as John’s Creek Hospital just north of the city. Chris specializes in the treatment of malignant and benign brain tumors using modern surgical techniques and often non-invasive procedures such as Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

He and his family moved from Pittsburgh to the Atlanta metro area in 2017 with the hope of providing compassionate, high quality care to the residents of Georgia and the entire southeast.

As a member of the SBTF Board of Directors Chris hopes to increase the awareness of all types of brain tumors, increase access to reliable high quality resources and support groups as well as advancing critical research efforts to help cure and eradicate brain cancer.

Erin Dunbar, M.D., is a founding physician of the Brain Tumor Center and Director of Neuro-Oncology at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. She specializes in the comprehensive care of brain and spine tumor patients who are battling both primary and metastatic tumors.

Her team creates a medical "home for life" by maintaining a robust portfolio of promising clinical trials, novel therapies, and supportive resources to serve patients and caregivers. She is an avid clinical researcher and a collaborator with organizations, including the National Cancer Institute and other national brain tumor centers. Collectively, these efforts enable patients to receive cutting-edge care close to home.

These achievements have contributed to Governor Nathan Deal repeatedly proclaiming the Piedmont Brain Tumor Center as one of three renowned brain tumor centers in Georgia.

She is a passionate driver of patient-centered care through her service to advocacy forums like the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation and the American Brain Tumor Association, and in her service to medical associations, like the Society of Neuro-Oncology and the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Dunbar completed fellowships in Neuro-oncology at Johns Hopkins University, in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center and in Medical-oncology at the University of Florida.

She enjoys outdoor activities and Atlanta United FC.

Holly Felker has served on the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation's Board of Directors since 2003.

A personal connection to cancer, which impacted her family when she was young, has motivated her to advocate for cancer awareness and support. Her tenure on the Board has been marked by an unwavering commitment to raising funds for research, increasing awareness of brain tumors, and enhancing the quality and accessibility of resources and support for individuals affected by this condition. Holly's efforts underscore the critical importance of encouragement and support as she contributes to the Foundation's ultimate goal of eradicating brain cancer.

Nadir was diagnosed with an Oligodendroglioma in November of 2010 after experiencing a grand mal seizure while driving. After a successful surgery to remove the tumor, Nadir and his family became involved with the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation through the annual Race for Research.

In August of 2022, he experienced his second seizure, indicating re-growth of Oligodendroglioma. He completed surgery at UPMC followed by 33 treatments of radiation and six months of chemo. As a two-time brain tumor survivor, Nadir is passionate about raising funds for tumor research, as well as assisting other families through a brain tumor diagnosis. 

Dr. Hadjipanayis is a board-certified neurosurgeon who has devoted his entire career to the treatment of brain tumor patients. He is the L. Dade Lunsford Professor of Neurological Surgery at UPMC in Pittsburgh and serves as the Executive Vice-Chairman for the Department of Neurological Surgery. He completed his neurosurgical residency and graduate PhD training at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine with additional neurosurgical oncology training at the University of California San Francisco.

Dr. Hadjipanayis has focused much of his career on innovation, translational research, and intraoperative technology development. In 2011, Dr. Hadjipanayis was the first to use 5-ALA (Gleolan) and perform fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) in the United States and helped lead the FDA approval of Gleolan for glioma surgery in June 2017.

Dr. Hadjipanayis has been a tireless brain tumor advocate serving on the board of directors and as President of the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation. Dr. Hadjipanayis is the new Director of the UPMC Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery. He directs the Brain Tumor Nanotechnology Laboratory in the Hillman Cancer Center and has been the principal investigator of multiple clinical trials and university-, private foundation-, and NIH-funded grants focused on brain tumors. 

John Herman is a seasoned veteran of the aviation industry with over 45 years of experience in sales, marketing, and senior management roles. As a business founder and owner, he has a deep understanding of business management and leadership.

In March 2007 John’s wife Karen was stricken with a glioblastoma.  After two surgeries and extensive physical therapy, unfortunately Karen passed away, survived by John, her three grown children, Joshua, Jessica, and Katelyn and one granddaughter Makenzie.  Before she passed, she was introduced to SBTF by her daughter and as a last request, told John she wanted him to continue the fight to help fund and find a cure for brain cancer.  Karen’s selfless request was steeped in her desire that no other family go through the battle her family was subjected to.

 Although a cure has not yet been found John continues to honor Karen’s request by his service to SBTF as Board Vice President.  He and his family have participated in fund raising efforts and entered their team, Karen’s Legacy in the SBTF Race for Research since 2007, raising over $250k for research.

John currently resides in Newnan, GA with his wife Arleen.  Their blended family consists of 4 grown children and their spouses and five grandchildren with another due in May 2024.

Michelle Roback Kraynak is a brain tumor survivor and advocate. While a young twenty-something traveling abroad, she suffered a grand mal seizure and was subsequently diagnosed with a pilocytic astrocytoma in her front left temporal lobe. The surgery to remove the tumor was a success, and she has been a brain tumor advocate ever since.

She began volunteering with the SBTF in 2007 and served as the volunteer coordinator until she was elected to the board in 2011. Michelle has held various officer positions within the organization and also serves as its legal counsel, providing pro bono legal services. She is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis and obtained her law degree from Emory University School of Law.

Peter Nicholas has been a member of the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2010 and has past served as the SBTF Vice President. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with an aerospace engineering degree and became familiar with brain tumors in 2008 when his boss was diagnosed with, and subsequently passed away from, a GBM.

Peter was a member of the Board of Directors for only a year when he received his own brain tumor diagnosis in August of 2011. In addition to leading the SBTF’s Corporate Sponsorship Committee, Peter is also on the strategic advisory board of the McNair Center for Aerospace Innovation & Research in South Carolina.

A huge sports fan, and one of the Foundations’ Top Fundraisers, Peter also has a great interest in the work of those associated with the Epilepsy Foundation.

In 2012, the Foundation was in a growing phase and was engaged in a search for an Administrative Assistant.  That individual would become the Foundation’s first employee.  Geri Shaffer, a passionate advocate of the brain tumor community, assumed the role and subsequently led the Foundation through various phases of growth.

The health issues her Mother faced, were building blocks upon which Geri learned, as a young adult, how to be a caregiver.  Geri recalls her Mother’s countless medical appointments, the scanxiety, the struggles to find the right medicines to treat seizures and remembers assisting with daily medication administration. Geri’s caregiver role led her to pursue a career in the medical device industry where she, ironically, worked with world renowned brain surgeons.  During Geri’s 31+ year career in the medical device industry, she worked for a single employer, and witnessed the development and integration of new surgical devices, medical implants, and the launch of new techniques like minimally invasive brain surgery.

Today Geri spearheads our patient programs and is working diligently behind the scenes caring for this organization helping to drive it forward to fulfill the dreams of the Warshaw Family, founding fathers of the SBTF in 1995.

Kelly Turner has been on the Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2012.  Kelly is a graduate of North Carolina State University and holds an Industrial Engineering degree.  Employed in the textile industry with Milliken & Company for eight years, following the birth of her first child she made the transition to full time parent. 

Ms.Turner has been familiar with brain tumors and their impact since 2007 when her mother was diagnosed with a GBM.  After a 16 month period of radiation, chemo, and clinical trials her mother passed in September 2008. Ms. Turner began as a Race for Research team captain and quickly became one of the Foundations Top 5 fundraisers.