In this episode, we sit down with Vanessa Tompkins, wife and caregiver to Mike, who has been battling Stage 4 metastasized ocular melanoma. Over the past five years, Vanessa has supported Mike through weekly immunotherapy, four major surgeries—including the removal of his left eye, liver surgery, triple hernia repair, and open-heart surgery—and countless challenges along the way.

A registered nurse, former hospice nurse, and current Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner, Vanessa brings professional expertise, personal experience, and unwavering compassion to her role as a caregiver. She is also a mother of three, grandmother of four, and devoted owner of her golden lab, Romeo. Guided by her motto, “One day at a time,” Vanessa shares insights into the realities of caregiving, the emotional resilience required, and the lessons learned in supporting a loved one through a complex and ongoing cancer journey.

Tune in to hear her story, practical tips, and heartfelt reflections on the challenges and rewards of being a caregiver.

One Day at a Time: Caregiving Through Ocular Melanoma

Guest, Xiomara Rocha-Cadman, M.D., chief of the Division of Psychiatry and as associate clinical professor in the Department of Supportive Care Medicine , City of Hope

Emotional Trauma from Cancer

In this episode of Beyond the Clinic: Living Well with Melanoma, Dr. Samantha Siegel is joined by Katie Ostrovsky and Cheryl Marker from the MelaHomies community.

Cheryl, diagnosed with Stage I melanoma in 2023, shares how she turned to online groups for education and support when her medical team left her with more questions than answers. Katie, a Stage IV survivor now, 11 years cancer-free, reflects on the emotional and practical challenges of survivorship — and how building the Mela Homies helped transform isolation into connection.

Together, they explore the power of peer support, the gaps in survivorship care, and why community is just as vital as treatment.

👉 Tune in to hear their stories and learn how the MelaHomies are making sure no one faces melanoma alone.

The Power of Peer Support in Melanoma Survivorship

In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Dr. Wendy G. Lichtenthal, a leading expert in grief and bereavement care. Dr. Lichtenthal is the Founding Director of the Center for the Advancement of Bereavement Care at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. A licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience, she brings deep compassion and groundbreaking research to the field of psychosocial oncology.

We discuss the complexities of grief after cancer loss, the evolving nature of bereavement care, and how clinicians and caregivers can better support those navigating life after loss. Dr. Lichtenthal also shares insights from her work developing Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy and the EMPOWER intervention — both designed to help individuals find meaning and resilience in the face of profound sorrow.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, a grieving loved one, or someone seeking to better understand bereavement, this conversation offers validation, hope, and expert guidance.



ABOUT OUR GUEST: Wendy G. Lichtenthal, PhD

Wendy G. Lichtenthal, PhD, FT, FAPOS is founding director of the Center for the Advancement of Bereavement Care at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Prevention Science and Community Health at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, which she joined in 2023. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked as a grief specialist for over 20 years.

In 2005, she began her career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York City, where she was Founding Director of the Bereavement Clinic and Associate Attending Psychologist, and where she now serves as Consultant Faculty. She was a recipient of the 2012 International Psycho-Oncology Society Kawano New Investigator Award, the 2019 Association for Death Education and Counseling Research Recognition Award, and the 2023 American Psychosocial Oncology Society Outstanding Clinical Care Award.

She is a Fellow in Thanatology and was elected a Fellow of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society in 2024. Her federally funded research has been supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research, American Cancer Society, T.J. Martell Foundation, and MSK’s Cycle for Survival and has focused on grief and bereavement, cancer survivorship, intervention development and evaluation, and finding meaning in the face of adversity. She is an inventor of the Meaning-Centered Grief Therapy and EMPOWER intervention manuals that are used in her research.









Caring Through Loss: A Conversation on Bereavement

In this episode, we sit down with Abby Singh, a melanoma survivor diagnosed as an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA). Abby is now the Director of Patient Content and Nutrition Education Services at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), where she creates critical resources for patients and caregivers, including the Survivorship Workbooks.

She shares her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship, and how her experience drives her work supporting nutrition programs for all cancer types. Abby also opens up about life beyond cancer—from her Tennessee roots in Sevierville (Dolly Parton’s hometown) to her passions for fiction writing, bar trivia, and family life.

Join us for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and the importance of community in the AYA cancer experience.

ABOUT OUR GUEST: Abby Singh, a melanoma survivor and passionate advocate for cancer patients, serves as the Director of Patient Content at the Nutrition Education Services Center and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). In this role, she has dedicated over a decade to creating impactful resources like the Survivorship Workbooks and supporting LLS’s comprehensive nutrition program, which benefits individuals with all types of cancer.



A proud graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, TN, Abby holds a bachelor’s degree in English and history. She is also a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Outside of her professional work, Abby enjoys reading, writing fiction, and testing her knowledge at bar trivia. She lives in Sevierville, TN—Dolly Parton’s hometown—with her husband, young son, and two beloved cats.

AYA Cancer Conversation: Navigating Young Adult Cancer

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rena Szabo, PsyD, a passionate advocate for integrating psychology and medicine, to discuss her unique approach to holistic, person-centered care in the field of psycho-oncology. Dr. Szabo, who works at Banner Health, specializes in understanding the complex biological, psychological, cultural, and environmental factors that influence health and quality of life. With her expertise in behavioral medicine, she helps to foster resilience and well-being among both healthcare professionals and patients, ensuring a comprehensive approach to healing in the oncology setting.

As Co-Chair of the Cultivating Happiness in Medicine Steering Committee, Dr. Szabo leads initiatives that focus on enhancing the quality of life within the healthcare community. She also shares her passion for Special Olympics, where she has made significant contributions through the development of the Strong Minds program and her role as Clinical Director for Arizona. Dr. Szabo’s work with the Special Olympics and her dedication to improving the mental and emotional well-being of athletes exemplifies her commitment to holistic care across all areas of life.

Join us as Dr. Szabo talks about her work, her philosophy on health and resilience, and the importance of integrating behavioral health practices into the medical field.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Rena Szabo, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist specializing in psycho-oncology and integrated behavioral health. With a deep commitment to the well-being of both patients and healthcare providers, Dr. Szabo works at the intersection of psychology and medicine to enhance overall health and quality of life. She is also deeply involved in Special Olympics Arizona, where she has contributed significantly to developing programs like Strong Minds, which focuses on the mental and emotional health of athletes. Dr. Szabo is also a mother of three and enjoys running, reading, and being part of her faith community.

A Conversation with Dr. Rena Szabo, PsyD on Empowering Patients

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz, LCSW, a cancer survivor and expert in emotional well-being, to explore the power of collective wisdom and practical strategies for those touched by cancer. Elizabeth, a psychotherapist trained in contemporary psychoanalysis and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), shares her invaluable insights on how to manage the intense emotional stresses of a cancer diagnosis. She offers concrete, effective skills for decision-making, emotional regulation, and managing the uncertainties that come with cancer.

Elizabeth also discusses how to effectively communicate with family, friends, colleagues, and medical providers, helping individuals navigate the complex relational dynamics that arise during cancer treatment. Drawing from her experience and her collaboration with Marsha Linehan to create the program Coping with Cancer: DBT Skills to Manage Your Emotions and Balance Uncertainty with Hope, Elizabeth provides actionable tools to help those affected by cancer live meaningfully and with a sense of hope.

About Our Guest:

Elizabeth Cohn Stuntz, LCSW, is a cancer survivor, psychotherapist, and advocate for emotional well-being. With expertise in contemporary psychoanalysis and DBT, she has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating cancer. As co-author of Coping with Cancer: DBT Skills to Manage Your Emotions and Balance Uncertainty with Hope, Elizabeth combines her personal and professional experiences to offer transformative coping skills that empower cancer patients and caregivers. She is also a faculty member at the Westchester Center for Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy.

Coping with Cancer: DBT Skills for Emotional Resilience

In this deeply personal episode, Drs. Samantha and Samuel Siegel share their journey of navigating cancer, medical school, and family life together. From their time as medical students at Jefferson Medical College to the challenges they faced with Samuel's testicular cancer diagnosis and Samantha’s battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, their story highlights the complexities of being both physicians and patients. Throughout their experiences, they uncovered significant gaps in cancer survivorship care, prompting them to become passionate advocates for change in the healthcare system.

Join Samantha and Samuel as they discuss the struggles and triumphs of parenting through illness, managing health crises while continuing their careers, and the emotional toll of caring for one another. With their shared mission to improve survivorship care and elevate its importance within medical practice, this episode serves as an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation on resilience, advocacy, and the power of personal stories in driving change.

About Our Guest:

Samuel Siegel, MD
Pediatrician
Dignity Health Woodland Clinic

Samuel Siegel is a general pediatrician in Woodland, CA serving a predominantly rural population, including immigrants from Mexico and Central America. He practices hospital medicine, seeing newborns during their birth hospitalization and he attends high risk deliveries.

In his outpatient practice, Dr. Siegel has a special interest in pediatric obesity and nutrition and founded an annual healthy eating project called Home-Grown Health. There, he gives away 1000 vegetable starts, soil, and fertilizer each year to families in his community. He believes that allowing children to participate in the unique process of nurturing plants from seeds will more successfully promote healthy eating habits.

He is also a patient who has learned to live a fulfilling life with chronic medical conditions since his early twenties including inflammatory bowel disease, treatment for cancer while in medical school, and a living donor liver transplant from his brother in 2016. He is a husband and partner to a physician-patient spouse and together they have three wonderful children.





Parenting Through Cancer

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of art therapy in cancer care. Art therapy goes beyond traditional treatment by offering patients a creative outlet to express their emotions, manage stress, and find relaxation during their journey. Emphasizing the process over perfection, art therapy creates a safe, supportive space for individuals to explore their creativity and enhance their emotional well-being. Whether through painting, drawing, or other forms of expression, patients are encouraged to engage in art as a tool for healing and connection.

About Our Guest:

We are joined by Lisa Shea, MA, ATR-BC. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Miami University and a Master’s in Art Therapy from Wright State University. With a diverse background in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, and schools, Lisa has made a profound impact on her patients' lives. In 2012, she became the first full-time art therapist at the Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig Cancer Center, where she’s played a crucial role in bringing the healing power of art to cancer patients.

Tune in to hear how art therapy is reshaping the patient experience and offering a new path to emotional wellness during the challenging journey of cancer care.



Healing Through Creativity: Art Therapy in Cancer Care

In this episode, we speak with Ann Roseman, a melanoma survivor since 2020, who shares her personal journey with cancer and how it shaped her mission to advocate for sun safety. Ann’s background in Human Development and Family Studies, combined with her experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist, allowed her to make a meaningful impact in healthcare settings, creating programs and supporting families through tough times. After retiring from Hospice of the Valley, Ann turned her focus to preventing melanoma in her community, volunteering with AIM at Melanoma and educating the public about sun safety.

Ann also serves on the committee for the upcoming Phoenix Steps Against Melanoma walk, and her work continues to empower others to take proactive steps in protecting their skin. Tune in to hear about Ann’s personal story, her passion for prevention, and how she’s working to make a difference in the “Valley of the Sun.” Plus, we’ll hear about her volunteering work with Maggie, her certified therapy dog, bringing joy and support to children and families at local libraries.

About Our Host

Samantha Siegel, MD
Dr. Samantha Siegel is an internist at Kaiser Permanente and the current director of Cancer Survivorship at Kaiser San Francisco. She has survived relapsed/refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, including an autologous bone marrow transplant in June 2022. This has made her passionate about cancer survivorship, integrative medicine and personal narrative impacting the illness experience. She is a public speaker advocating strongly for cancer care.

Dr. Siegel is pioneering a longitudinal cancer survivorship care model, beginning at diagnosis, that can be replicated in other healthcare systems. She is focused on elevating cancer survivorship to a distinct, multidisciplinary board certification status.

Dr. Siegel lives in Davis with her husband, three kids and energetic dog. She enjoys outdoor activities, plant-based living and any occasion to dance.

If you have questions, feedback, or topic ideas for upcoming episodes, please e-mail us at: engageus@AIMatMelanoma.org.





Surviving & Thriving: From Melanoma Survivor to Sun Safety Advocate

Beyond the Clinic: Living Well With Melanoma features fresh perspectives into topics seldom discussed in the exam room. Director of Cancer Survivorship for Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, Raymond Liu, MD, hosts the Beyond the Clinic podcast featuring unfiltered discussions with researchers, caregivers, patients, and medical professionals. Each episode pulls back the curtain to share advice on handling life after a melanoma diagnosis and how to ride the emotional rollercoaster that often follows. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aimatmelanoma/support

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