Board of Trustees/Staff

We began by imagining that we are giving to them; we end by realizing that they have enriched us.
- Pope John Paul II

Board of Trustees
Robert P. Ziomek, President Kathleen E. Damon, Vice-President Debra L. Murphy, Treasurer Pablo Nyarady, Clerk Gaetana M. Aliotta The Rev. Richard S. Bellows Carol L. Baribeau Sister Mary Caritas Jennifer DeMoe Philip T. Glynn, M.D. Stephen A. Hagen Parker Hodgman Carol A. Kauffman Dave Madsen Wilson C. Mertens, M.D. M. Kathryn Morgan
Medical Advisory Board
Philip T. Glynn, M.D. James L. Frank, M.D. Mary Ann Lowen, M.D. Zubeena Mateen, M.D. Richard Steingart, M.D.

Executive Director
CHERYL GORSKI Cheryl brings more than six years of non-profit and for profit management experience to her role as Executive Director. Very familiar with the greater Springfield community, her previous employers include Sylvan Learning Center, Step Up Springfield and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. Cancer has touched the lives of several of Cheryl's close family members and friends she considers it a privilege to be associated with the CHH. Cheryl attended Western New England College School of Law and is a graduate of Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA with a Bachelor's Degree in English. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, reading and come summertime, cheering on the NY Yankees.

Clinical Staff
SARAH D. AASHEIM, L.C.S.W. Sarah is a licensed certified social worker and an 8-year melanoma survivor. In addition to facilitating the Melanoma Support Group for the Cancer House of Hope, Sarah works for Criterion-Heritage Early Intervention Program, an agency which provides services to families of young children with developmental delays. She also works with the Massachusetts Melanoma Foundation to develop programming to promote awareness about skin cancer and sun safety. She enjoys spending time with her family, running, reading, and yoga. Melanoma Support Group

R. BRAD ALM, C.A.S., M.S., L.M.H.C. Brad has 16 years experience providing mental health services, specializing in brief therapy, hypnosis, Thought Field Therapy, stress management, and mind-body interventions. In addition to working at Cancer House of Hope, Brad is a Clinician with Behavioral Health Network at the Oakdale Clinic in Holyoke, MA, and an Adjunct Professor at Springfield College. Brad has family members, friends and co-workers who have had cancer and he sees a number of cancer survivors in his clinical practice. In his spare time, he enjoys music and running. Relaxation Groups

JANET L. BARAKO, B.A., L.M.T. Janet is a nationally certified licensed massage therapist, a certified hypnotherapist, and a Reiki Master. She lectures to health care professionals about complementary treatments and has a private practice in which she focuses on clients who have rehabilitative needs as well as generalized massage therapy. In addition to her healing work, Janet is a pastel portrait artist, a published author ("Yeast-Free Wheat-Free Sugar Sensitive Cooking"), and runs both a framing business and a transcription business. Reiki Therapy

PETRA INES CERVONI, M.S.W., J.D. Petra is a licensed certified social worker who has many years experience in crisis intervention and mental health issues. She is a well-known local community volunteer, active in church and other groups, and she serves as the General Counsel of the Springfield Housing Authority. Petra brings her skills and her experience as a cancer survivor to the support group she leads. In her spare time, Petra likes to spend time with her daughter, bake, sew, go to the movies and participate in book reading groups. Todos Forma de Cancer

PATRICIA COCOZZA, M.A., L.S.W.A. Patricia is an experienced Retreat and Spiritual Director and has presented numerous workshops and retreats. In addition to working at Cancer House of Hope, Patricia is a Bereavement Coordinator and Chaplain for Baystate Hospice. A number of her family members and friends have experienced cancer, and Patricia has worked with clients living with serious illness for the past 15 years. Her ability to listen and be present to people are gifts which she appreciates being able to share. Being a support to others on their spiritual journeyis a joy-filled role for her. Patricia enjoys quiet nights with a good book or a simple craft, and snowshoeing in the winter and kayaking in the summer. Exploring Spirituality

LINDA M. DUCHARME, R.N., M.S.W., L.M.T. Linda has been involved in healing work as a nurse, social worker and massage therapist for over 30 years. In addition to working at Cancer House of Hope, Linda works with the Holyoke Visiting Nurse and Hospice Association and has a private massage therapy practice. Linda celebrates cancer survivorship with several members of her family and has also had the opportunity to accompany close friends and family members through their dying, which has deeply impacted how she sees life. In her spare time, Linda enjoys gardening, sports, traveling to the ocean, and her feline friend, Persephone. Bereavement Support Group; Family and Friends

NANCY A. FERGUSON, M. Ed., L.C.S.W. Nancy has worked as a clinical social worker for 24 years. In addition to working at Cancer House of Hope, Nancy has a private practice in which she works with individuals and families facing serious and chronic illnesses. She is well-versed in mind-body-spirit principles and practice. Nancy is an 20-year cancer survivor and advocate and provides inspiration to those dealing with cancer through her own recovery as well as her finely-honed clinical skills. All Cancers; Breast Cancer; Family and Friends; Living with Advanced Cancer; Recent Diagnosis; What Now? When Treatment Ends; Leukemia-Lymphoma; Mind-Body-Spirit Workshops

ANNIE KNOX Annie Knox is a Reiki Master /Teacher with a life long interest in healing and spirituality. She is a certified Theta Practitioner and Instructor, and a Silva graduate. Annie also has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Philosophy with minors in both Religious Studies and Business Management from the University of New Hampshire. In addition to being a Reiki practitioner at the Cancer House of Hope, Annie owns and operates her own private alternative healing practice “The Spirit of Healing” located within an integrative medical practice, at 175 Dwight Road, Suite 203A in Longmeadow, MA. An avid animal lover, and lifelong equestrian, Annie also treats horses and other animals. Reiki Therapy

KAREN KULAKOWSKI, M.A., R.D., LDN Karen has over 30 years experience as a Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist at Baystate Medical Center with over 20 years concentrated in nutrition for people with cancer. She was a founding member of the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group of the American Dietetic Association as well as past chairman of the Dietetic Practice Group. She has spoken nationally (and locally) on the topic of nutrition and cancer, appeared on radio and television talk shows, published numerous articles regarding nutrition and cancer and has been a contributing author to books on nutrition and cancer. Karen currently has a private practice in nutrition counseling in West Springfield, MA. Karen is also a Level II Reiki Practitioner. She has been involved in Reiki for the past five years working with Breast Cancer survivors. Karen has also used Reiki with her 2 dogs, Mikey and Jolie, to aid healing post surgery and to decrease anxiety during thunder storms. Nutrition Counseling

COLLEEN MANCUSO Colleen A. Mancuso is a practicing Reiki Master/Teacher who owns the business, Soaring Spirits...the path to wellness. In her private practice, in addition to Reiki and other energy work, Colleen uses Bach Flower Therapy, Crystal Therapy, Chakra alignment, and Kinesiology (muscle testing). Her private practice is open to people and pets, including horses. Colleen lives in Hampden with her husband, Gus, 3 cats and 2 horses. Hobbies include photography and spending time with her horse, Scarlett. Reiki Therapy

PATRICIA NITI MARTIN, B.A. Niti has practiced yoga and meditation for 28 years and brings 18 years of teaching experience to her classes. In addition to working at Cancer House of Hope, Niti works as a yoga instructor and workshop leader at Kripalu Center in Lenox, MA. She has also presented workshops for elders and persons with disabilities for four years through grants from the MA Housing Finance Agency and is a presenter for the Rays of Hope Breast Cancer Survivors' Day. Yoga

Administrative Staff

LAURI SCOTT-SMITH Lauri Scott-Smith started with the Cancer House of Hope in Dec. 2004. Lauri worked at Noble Hospital for 11 ½ years, sharing her responsibilities with the Medical Library and the Education Department. After a few years off, Lauri took a position doing Property Management with a national real estate company. During that time, she managed an entire property and brings her combined work experiences to join us at the Cancer House of Hope. Lauri has had several family and friends who have dealt with cancer. During her spare time, Lauri enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and often the family will venture off for the weekend with the motorhome, attending motocross races, which her husband and son participate in. Administrative Assistant