Truth, Medicine, and a Little Humor: The Power of Prevention
Join us for an honest, and a little humorous, conversation about breast cancer awareness, featuring Dr. Melissa Frey, Gila Pfeffer, and Dr. Jennel Zeppieri.
Moderated by Emanu-El congregant Kim Hartman, this conversation is for everyone — because breast cancer impacts not just women, but also partners, families, friends, and entire communities. Our panel will get refreshingly real about breast cancer prevention, including genetic testing and early detection, while answering the questions that don’t always get asked. You’re sure to leave feeling empowered and educated.
Attendees will receive a copy of Gila Pfeffer’s memoir, Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer, and Other Inconveniences.
MODERATOR
KIM HARTMAN
General Campaign Co-Chair, UJA-Federation of New York
Two years ago, Kim Hartman was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a survivor, Kim will moderate this conversation from a place of experience and compassion.
FEATURING
MELISSA FREY, M.D.
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Melissa Frey, M.D., is an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of Gynecologic Oncology and the director of the Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program at Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Frey’s clinical care and research focus on the management of individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes (e.g., BRCA1, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome) and strong family history of breast and gynecologic cancers. She performs gynecologic cancer risk-reducing surgeries and is the principal investigator on several large trials aimed at cancer prevention among high-risk individuals. Dr. Frey has presented her research at national and international meetings and has had more than 140 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
GILA PFEFFER
Author, Speaker, and Breast Cancer Prevention Advocate
Gila Pfeffer is an award-winning author, speaker, and breast cancer prevention advocate. Her heartbreakingly hilarious memoir, Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer, and Other Inconveniences, approaches difficult subjects with humor and agency. Gila’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Tablet magazine, and more. She is a breast cancer previvor and survivor whose monthly Feel It on the First campaign uses tongue-in-cheek photos to promote breast health. She lives in New York City and London.
JENNEL ZEPPIERI, M.D.
Medical Oncologist, Cancer Genetics, Weill Cornell Medicine/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Jennel Zeppieri, M.D., is a medical oncologist and assistant professor of medicine at Weill Cornell/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program. Dr. Zeppieri specializes in hereditary cancer syndromes, early detection, and cancer risk reduction. She completed her internal medicine residency and hematology/oncology fellowship at Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Health, serving as chief resident and chief fellow, respectively. Committed to delivering compassionate, individualized care and advancing awareness of hereditary cancer risk, she is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and serves on the executive board of the Student Movement Against Cancer.
Related Events
