The PROACT Team
We are a team of cancer patient and family advocates, cancer doctors, and cancer care researchers from across the US who are committed to helping families protect themselves from cancer.
PROACT is made possible by the Bright Pink Foundation and is a collaboration between Stanford University and the University of Michigan.
Stanford University
Allison Kurian, MD, MSc
Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology & Population Health
Director, Women’s Clinical Cancer Genetics Program
Dr. Kurian is a medical oncologist and experienced researcher in the identification and management of women with elevated breast and ovarian cancer risk. Her research also focuses on developing techniques for early cancer detection and cancer prevention.
Jennifer Caswell-Jin, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Dr Caswell-Jin is a medical oncologist and an expert on breast cancer, cancer genetics, and genomics. Her research focuses on developing personalized approaches to the care of people with or at high risk of breast cancer.
Rachel Hodan MS, CGC
Clinical Associate Professor (Affiliated) of Pediatrics (Genetics)
Rachel is an experienced board-certified Genetic Counselor. She is passionate about improving familial cascade genetic testing to lower the burden of cancer for individuals and their families.
Rozelle Laquindanum
Program Manager, Cancer Genetics and Genomics
Rozelle is a Research Program Manager, specializing in cancer genetics and genomics research.
Sonia Rios-Ventura
Clinical Research Coordinator Associate and Family Health Navigator
Sonia is a Clinical Research Coordinator Associate in the Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics. Sonia assists individuals and families in navigating the healthcare system in relation to cancer genetics and testing.
Candice N. Thompson, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery
Medical Director, Office of Cancer Health Equity
Dr. Thompson is a breast surgeon with a focus on equitable care and addressing healthcare disparities. Dr. Thompson leads the Alameda County Black Breast Health seminar series and leads research on genetic risk and prognosis among diverse populations.
University of Michigan
Steven Katz, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and Health Management and Policy
Director, Cancer Surveillance and Outcomes Research Team (CanSORT)
Dr. Katz leads CanSORT, an interdisciplinary program focused on population and intervention studies of cancer care quality and outcomes in diverse populations. He is a national leader in research that addresses cancer treatment communication and decision-making.
Lawrence C. An, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Center for Health Communications Research (CHCR)
Dr. An is a pioneer in cancer communications and survivorship research. He has deep expertise in the development and implementation of personally tailored health care communication programs.
Bright Pink Foundation
Lindsay Avner
Bright Pink PROACT Program Senior Advisor
Lindsay Avner is the Founder and CEO Emerita of Bright Pink and serves as Senior Advisor to the Bright Pink PROACT Program. After discovering she carries a BRCA1 gene mutation, Lindsay made history in 2006 as the youngest woman in the U.S. to undergo a risk-reducing double mastectomy. Motivated to transform how women approach breast and ovarian health, she founded Bright Pink in 2007. Under her leadership, the organization grew into a national presence, educating over 2 million women on proactive health strategies.