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

In this episode, we sit down with Noa Curtis, LCSW, APHSW-C, an outpatient oncology social worker at the Providence Cancer Institute in Portland, Oregon. Noa specializes in palliative care and provides holistic support to cancer patients and their families from diagnosis through survivorship or end of life. They discuss their approach to palliative care, focusing on self-advocacy, meaning-making, and self-compassion as vital components of the healing journey. With a deep commitment to supporting patients emotionally and psychologically, Noa also shares insights into their role in enhancing quality of life, managing difficult transitions, and advocating for patient-centered care. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the critical role of social work in oncology and palliative care.

About Our Host

Samantha Siegel, MD
Dr. Samantha Siegel is an internist at Kaiser Permanente and the current Direct 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.



The Heart of Care: Palliative Care and Oncology Social Work 

In this episode, we speak with Brian Jin, LCSW, a psychotherapist specializing in Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) at Yale New Haven Health’s Smilow Cancer Hospital. Brian shares his journey and experience supporting cancer patients through MCP, an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals find meaning and hope amidst illness. He discusses how this therapeutic approach can empower patients, help them navigate the emotional challenges of cancer, and maintain vitality throughout their treatment.

Brian’s expertise also extends to his work with support groups for lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and brain tumor patients. Tune in as we explore the power of meaning and purpose in sustaining hope and resilience during cancer treatment.

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.



Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy: Finding Purpose in the Face of Cancer

In this special episode of Beyond the Clinic: Living with Melanoma, Dr. Raymond Liu and Dr. Sam Siegel sit down for an insightful and heartfelt conversation as Dr. Siegel steps into her new role as host. With a shared passion for cancer survivorship, the two discuss Dr. Siegel’s personal journey as a cancer survivor and caregiver, her vision for the future of the podcast, and the vital importance of addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of life after cancer.

Dr. Liu reflects on the evolution of Beyond the Clinic, from its early days as a webinar series to becoming a key resource for the cancer community. He shares the challenges and triumphs of his own journey in cancer care and mentorship, offering valuable insights into the growing focus on survivorship.

As Dr. Siegel prepares to lead the podcast into its next chapter, the interview provides a powerful glimpse into her commitment to supporting cancer patients and caregivers, emphasizing the importance of ongoing care beyond the clinic. Tune in to hear their discussion on what it means to live with cancer, how survivorship care has evolved, and what listeners can expect in the years to come under Dr. Siegel’s leadership.

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Beyond the Clinic's New Host: Dr. Sam Siegel Brings a Fresh Voice to Survivorship

In this episode, we talk with Dr. William Breitbart, Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and a pioneer in psycho-oncology. Dr. Breitbart sheds light on the critical yet often overlooked issue of meaning and purpose in cancer care. He delves into how patients may encounter a profound loss of meaning, which can lead to anxiety and depression, even if they are not clinically diagnosed with depression.

Drawing from his extensive experience, Dr. Breitbart shares insights from his pioneering work in the psychiatric and neuropsychiatric dimensions of cancer and palliative care. He discusses strategies to assist patients in rediscovering meaning and enhancing their quality of life during challenging times.

Join us for a conversation that underscores the vital intersection of mental health and cancer treatment, featuring Dr. Breitbart's significant contributions to the field, including his groundbreaking work on Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy.

William Breitbart, M.D.

Chairman, Jimmie C Holland Chair in Psychiatric Oncology; Chairman, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Dr. Breitbart is a pioneer and leader in the field of psycho-oncology. At Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, he led the way for innovative, award-winning initiatives that provided high-quality research focusing on psychiatric and neuropsychiatric aspects of cancer and palliative care. He is the Chairman, Jimmie C Holland Chair in Psychiatric Oncology, Chairman, Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York. Dr. Breitbart is also a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Dr. Breitbart is known for numerous influential leadership roles, and has been recognized in the field of psycho-oncology for his contributions, receiving top research awards and lifetime achievements since 2003. He has edited/written twelve textbooks, including Psychiatric Aspects of Symptom Management in the Cancer Patient, published by the American Psychiatric Press, Psycho-oncology - 1st, 2nd and 3rd Editions, and Handbook of Psychiatry in Palliative Medicine- 1st and 2nd Editions. Dr. Breitbart recently authored treatment manuals on Meaning-Centered Group and Individual Psychotherapy in Advanced Cancer Patients by Oxford University Press. He is currently editor-in-chief of the Cambridge University Press’ international palliative care journal, Palliative & Supportive Care. Dr. Breitbart also helped found IPOS Press and authored the IPOS Press/Oxford University Press Text Psychosocial Palliative Care.



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Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Cancer Patients

In this compelling episode of “Surviving the Spotlight,” we sit down with Jessica Gilstrap, a melanoma survivor and independent filmmaker, whose inspiring journey from cancer diagnosis to creative success is both moving and motivating. At just 19 years old, Jessica's life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma—a discovery that came not from a routine check, but from a serendipitous visit to her doctor for a different issue.

Jessica’s story unfolds with the urgency of immediate surgery and the emotional rollercoaster of battling a life-threatening illness. After numerous biopsies and surgeries, she emerged with a renewed outlook on life, embracing sun safety while maintaining her passion for travel and adventure.

Today, Jessica channels her experiences and newfound perspective into her work as an independent film producer. Her dedication to bringing compelling stories to the screen is matched by her commitment to advocating for sun safety and helping others navigate their own challenges.

In this episode, Jessica shares her personal journey, the impact of her melanoma diagnosis on her life choices, and how she has integrated sun safety into her daily routine without sacrificing her love for travel and exploration. She also offers practical advice on skincare and sun protection, aiming to empower others to live fully and safely.

Join us to hear Jessica's incredible story of resilience, creativity, and advocacy, and learn how she turns her challenges into opportunities for helping others and making a meaningful impact.



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Surviving the Spotlight: From Melanoma to Filmmaking

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

Beyond The Clinic

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