Meet Our Family Advisory Council

Michelle “Missy” Ramirez

Missy Ramirez and her husband Roger have been married for 17 years and live in Katy, Texas. When their son Jacob was 15 months old, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Pilocystic Astrocytoma, which is a tumor on the optic nerve. He came to the Children’s Cancer Hospital for treatment in April of 2000. With Dr. Ater as his pediatric oncologist, Jacob underwent chemotherapy and surgery to treat the brain tumor. Although Jacob relapsed at the age of five, he is now nine years old and doing well.

“M. D. Anderson and the Children’s Cancer Hospital helped save our son,” says Missy. “I have always wanted to give back and the Family Advisory Council, I feel, is a wonderful way to help those who have always helped us.”

Like many families, the Ramirez family spent countless days getting to know the inpatient unit and outpatient clinic. Missy also had the opportunity to meet many other parents who had children with cancer.

“One of the most devastating things a parent could hear is, ‘Your child has cancer.’ It is stressful and life changing to the entire family,” says Missy. “My goal is to give the staff at the Children’s Cancer Hospital a parent’s perspective so that they can help other patients, parents, and families through this most difficult time in their lives.”

Debra Williams

Debra Williams is a four-year breast cancer survivor who lives in Humble, Texas. She and her husband Robert have been married for more than 30 years and have a 24-year-old son Ryan, who works here in the Houston area. Their daughter, Kourtney, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia when she was 16 years old. Kourtney lost her battle with cancer in March of 2006.

When a palliative care task force was created to improve the care of patients and families facing end-of-life situations, Debra and Robert joined the task force to use their experience to help others. Most recently, Debra became a member of the Family Advisory Council.

“I feel I have knowledge to share with other families based on what we went through with Kourtney. I want to help parents not feel so lost when they are facing cancer with their child,” says Debra. “It feels good to know that the Children’s Cancer Hospital is looking at all the options to make life better for the children.”

Barbara and Jon Robin

Both Barbara and Jon Robin are members of the Family Advisory Council. They have two children – their son, Shea, who is 22 years old and attends Vanderbilt University, and their daughter Shelby, who is 20 years old and a sophomore at The University of Texas in Austin.

When Shelby was 12 years old, she was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma and had to have an amputation below the knee of her left leg. Shelby and her family didn’t allow her amputation to hold her back. She went on to participate in the annual rehabilitation ski trip and attended Camp A.O.K. for M. D. Anderson teens with cancer and their siblings. Shelby has been cancer-free for eight years and currently is studying to become a pediatric oncology nurse.

The Robins felt the Family Advisory Council would offer them an opportunity to help the Children’s Cancer Hospital.

“Shelby has done a lot with the Children’s Cancer Hospital, and she’s been a spokesperson for them as well,” says Barbara. “I would like to give back to M. D. Anderson as a parent and think this is a great idea.”

The entire Robin family shared their experience in the Children’s Cancer Hospital’s most recent parent-to-parent video, which patients and families can watch online or via DVD.

Nancy Winsman

Nancy Winsman and her husband, Randy, live in Galveston and are parents to three children: Ryan, 20, Lindsay, 18, and Kyle, 14. Their youngest son, Kyle, is a long-term survivor of hepatoblastoma, a type of liver cancer.

Kyle was diagnosed at 14 months and went through treatment that included surgery and chemotherapy. Although Kyle is cancer-free today, he now deals with hearing loss and cardiomyopathy. As a result of Kyle’s health challenges, Nancy feels her experience equips her to be a good advocate for pediatric patients, especially long-term survivors.

“Long-term survivorship is something that’s very important for us and other families whose children beat their cancer,” says Nancy. “I’d like to see more subspecialty support here for long-term survivors, such as a pediatric cardiology program.”

Hallie Immroth

Hallie Immroth and her husband live in Houston and are parents to two sons, Aidan, 10, and Nate, 5. Hallie’s son Aidan has neurofibromatosis, and at 20 months, he was diagnosed with cancer. His cancer has returned three times since then, and he is currently completing therapy for a chiasmal tumor, which is a tumor affecting the optic nerve.

Between chemotherapy rounds and multiple surgeries, Aidan has been in an out of the hospital quite a bit. During his care here, Aidan interacted with the child life specialists and became involved with the Children’s Art Project. His artwork has been selected for various products.

“We have been able to celebrate Aidan’s passion for art through the Children’s Art Project, which has allowed our family to focus on positive activities versus a singular focus on battling cancer,” says Hallie.

Hallie says she is thrilled to be a part of the Family Advisory Council.

“I have gained knowledge and insights over the last nine years that I would like to put to good use for other families,” says Hallie. “It would be an honor to know that I helped make things just a little bit easier for families who are new to the experience of coping with the impact cancer has on the family.”

Pat Taylor

Pat Taylor and his wife, Heather, live in La Porte and have two children. They have a daughter, Madison, who is five years old, and they recently welcomed a new baby, Michael, into their family.

Madison was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, the most common childhood cancer, in April of 2006. Pat still remembers the day his daughter was diagnosed.

“When Madison was first diagnosed, Dr. Patrick [Zweidler-McKay] sat down and talked with our family. He spent several hours discussing what was happening to Madison and what her treatment would include. He allowed us plenty of time to ask questions,” says Pat. “Providing information and a willingness to answer our questions has characterized our experience with all of the health care professionals at the Children’s Cancer Hospital.”

Like many parents, the Taylors have several ideas they hope to contribute in order to make the experience better for future patients and families.

“I hope I can help develop new initiatives and improve existing practices that will help the Children’s Cancer Hospital continue to offer hope to families dealing with childhood cancer,” says Pat.

Angie Farmer

Angie Farmer and her husband, Johnny, have been married for more than 25 years and live in Thomaston, Texas. They have three children: one daughter, Stacey, 21, and two sons, Beau and Micah, ages 12 and 10.

When Micah was five years old, he was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. He has received several treatments including a stem cell transplant from an unrelated donor. During those months at the hospital, Angie was Micah’s primary caregiver, while the rest of the family lived in Thomaston and traveled back and forth to visit Micah.

Angie and Micah were known by many at the Children’s Cancer Hospital. Angie was instrumental in getting a circle of moms together to learn knitting by a hospital volunteer. The activity served as a distraction and support group for the parents. Meanwhile, Micah would patrol the inpatient unit handing out candy to staff and fellow patients, earning him the name “Candyman.” Today, Micah is in remission and back home attending school and going on hunting excursions with his brother and dad.

“The Children’s Cancer Hospital has been so wonderful to our family,” says Angie. “We have had many experiences that would be beneficial to other families, and I’d be honored to have the opportunity to use our experiences to help others.”

Russell and Jana Jarrell

Russell and Jana Jarrell live in Alvin and have two daughters, Lisa, 28, and Lindsey, 21. Lisa graduated in May 2008 from University of Kansas with a master’s in social welfare. Her sister, Lindsey, is a senior majoring in elementary education at Texas State University. The Jarrells are serving on the Family Advisory Council to honor their son, Ross, who lost his battle with childhood cancer in 2005.

“The Family Advisory Council gives us a chance to give back and help others going through what we went through,” say the Jarrells. “This is something Ross would want us to do.”

While Ross was at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, the Jarrells remember the support they received from the nursing staff and life skills staff. The life skills staff worked with Ross to focus on “normal things,” not just his cancers, says Jana.

The Jarrells’ experience with their son, Ross, will give a unique perspective to the Family Advisory Council to improve care of children receiving care in the intensive care unit and facing end-of-life circumstances.

Manale Elewah

Manale Elewah is originally from Alexandria, Egypt, but has lived in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for almost 20 years. She is married with three daughters, Farida, Marwa and Fadila. Her youngest child, Fadila, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2003 while living in Abu Dhabi. She received initial treatment in the UAE, but when Fadila relapsed in the central nervous system in February 2006, she and her family flew to the United States to receive treatment by Dr. Michael Rytting at the Children’s Cancer Hospital. While Fadila and Manale are here in the U.S., most of their family remain in the UAE, except Manale’s oldest daughter who moved here to attend the University of Houston.

Prior to coming to Houston, Manale worked as an environmental engineer in Abu Dabi. She has also done work, in the past, with the United Nations Environment Program. Now, Manale is juggling new roles. Not only is she Fadila’s primary caregiver, she also served on the Family-Centered Care steering committee and is instrumental in providing support to other international patients and families at the Children’s Cancer Hospital.

Samantha Garcia

Samantha Garcia is mom to a full house in Lake Jackson. She and her husband of 20 years serve as parents to two daughters, ages 19 and 16, a son who is 15 years old and an 18-year-old niece—not to mention their two dogs and a cat.

Samantha’s youngest daughter, Emily, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2002. As a result of her cancer, Emily had to have part of her right leg amputated in 2003. After a recurrence in the lungs, Emily went through an intensive treatment plan that included chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

During her six years as a patient at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, Samantha and Emily have taken part in activities such as the rehabilitation ski trip, Camp A.O.K. (Anderson’s Older Kids), the Children’s Art Project, Candlelighters and many others.

“I want to help make a difference in the lives of current and future patients and give back some of what I have received,” says Samantha.

She brings to the council experience serving alongside school and church boards and committees.

Rhonda Armstrong Trevino

Rhonda Trevino was hired in February of 2008 to serve as the Children’s Cancer Hospital’s first parent coordinator for family-centered care. She and her husband, Mario, live in Katy and have three children. Their oldest daughter, Abigail, is 13 and entering the 8th grade, and they have two sons, Micah, 5, and Noah, 3.

Abigail was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on her 12th birthday in September of 2006. She received three rounds of chemo before having limb salvage surgery and then received six more rounds of chemotherapy. Abigail completed treatment in August 2007 and has remained cancer-free.

Rhonda first learned about family-centered care when she joined the family-centered care steering committee in July 2007. Since that time, she has seen a purpose form as the committee has worked to get the initiative going and a Family Advisory Council formed.

"As the Children's Cancer Hospital moves toward family-centered care, it becomes crucial that parents move along the journey with the staff,” says Rhonda. “As the parent of a child who has been treated at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, and who continues to take advantage of the programs and services offered here, I believe that I can be available to help improve the ‘parent experience.’”

Rhonda says she feels her role is to educate other families so they know they have a choice when it comes to their child’s medical care—even when it means asking the tough questions.

“As parents and patients partner with staff and faculty along this journey, we believe we can help make the Children’s Cancer Hospital the best possible pediatric cancer experience.”

Cad Willeford

Cad Willeford has been part of the Children’s Cancer Hospital for nearly 15 years as a Child Life Specialist. As a Child Life Specialist, Cad forms relationships with patients and families and help them cope with their cancer. She can be found visiting patients in the outpatient clinic, accompanying patients to surgical procedures, and helping them understand certain treatments or procedures they may receive.

Cad’s experience at the Children’s Cancer Hospital and her prior experience as a teacher equip her with skills essential to being a member on the Family Advisory Council. She says she feels her strengths are that she’s a good listener and approaches situations with an open mind and heart.

“I want to help Family-Centered Care get off to a great start at the Children’s Cancer Hospital,” says Cad. “I believe family-centered care is one of the best ways to get to the core issues that families are really experiencing. No one knows better than the families as to what their needs are and how we as staff can meet them.”

Donna Herrera Bell

Donna Bell is a nurse practitioner and has been serving the leukemia/lymphoma section at the Children’s Cancer Hospital for more than a year. She has experience not only as a nurse practitioner, but also an administrator working on program development. She has practiced in both a pediatric hospital and an adult hospital with a pediatric program prior to coming to the Children’s Cancer Hospital.

Donna comes to the Family Advisory Council with previous experience with family-centered care.

“It’s a great opportunity to help build and promote building the philosophy of family-centered care at the Children’s Cancer Hospital,” says Donna. “Patients and families are our partners in care, and they have a very important and unique perspective on how care impacts not only the patient, but the family as well.”

Leslie Christison

Leslie Christison has been the nurse manager for the Robin Bush Child and Adolescent Clinic for close to four years. She has worked in pediatrics for more than 25 years, including more than 11 years working with young hematology and oncology patients.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn more about family-centered care by serving on the Family Advisory Council,” says Leslie. “My goal is to properly lead my staff in the development of family-centered care and to be a strong liaison with other healthcare providers within the Children’s Cancer Hospital.”

Christison looks forward to learning more from the families on the council and applying that knowledge toward the clinic's operations.

David B. Coe

David Coe is the division administrator for the Division of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Hospital at M. D. Anderson. He has been working at the Children’s Cancer Hospital for close to 17 years, and his role involves overseeing the entire budget for the division. David was part of the first group who traveled to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to see family-centered care working within a hospital.

Upon returning from the group’s visit, David went to work to implement a family-centered care philosophy at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, bringing on board Patty Wells to spearhead the effort.

“Starting a Family Advisory Council is an exciting opportunity to bring families into the operation of the Children’s Cancer Hospital,” says David. “The Family Advisory Council is a unique chance to bring further growth and change to the Children’s Cancer Hospital and M. D. Anderson.”

Since David has a strong understanding of the daily operations and budget allocations, he will bring a good financial perspective to the council.

Lisa Getz

Lisa Getz joined the staff of M. D. Anderson’s Department of Social Work seven years ago and has been working with the Children’s Cancer Hospital for the past three years. Her role as a social work counselor is to help patients and families cope with their disease and navigate their way through the system by providing counseling, education, information and referral.

Getz feels she has seen the scope of issues that families face when coming into the Children’s Cancer Hospital. Her experience helps her understand the enormous array of emotions that come hand in hand with a cancer diagnosis.

“In any type of industry, there is no one more important than the client, and the Family Advisory Council is a way to implement this belief,” says Lisa. “One of the underlying beliefs of social work is ‘to start where the patient is,’ and I believe that family-centered care is a way to do this.”

Colette Badeaux

Colette Badeaux joined the Children's Cancer Hospital in 2006 as a nurse in the outpatient clinic. She wears many hats, working with Dr. Ater in the pediatric neuroooncology clinic and childhood cancer survivors clinic, and with Dr. Zage in the non-neural solid tumor clinic with emphasis on neuroblastoma.  She also is the chairperson for the LEAN Kaisen performance improvement project within the clinic.

Badeaux applied for the Family Advisory Council in order to educate other employees and patients at M. D. Anderson about the Children's Cancer Hospital and to help make the institution a more inviting place for children with cancer.

"I want to help design, implement and evaluate the changes in all policies affecting all aspects of the Children's Cancer Hospital," says Badeaux. "I also want to help make the Children's Cancer Hospital a benchmark that can be modeled throughout the institution.

Soraya Neal

Soraya Neal is originally from the Republic of Panama and speaks both Spanish and English. She joined M. D. Anderson as a inpatient nurse four years ago. Prior to her position at M. D. Anderson, Neal worked as a neonatal nurse for 16 years.

Family is very important to Neal, which makes the wife, mother and grandmother a strong staff member on the Family Advisory Council.

"Being part of the council will provide me with additional knowledge and skills to meet patients and parents needs with a family-centered approach," says Neal. "As staff nurse it will provide me with the tools necessary to promote and sustain changes in nursing care."

Neal says her goals as a Family Advisory Council member will be to build a solid and strong bridge between staff and families.

"The foundation is already there, but it needs the building," says Neal. "I understand there will many challenges ahead, but I can utilize the council to facilitate solutions and improvement."

Robert Wells, M.D.

Robert Wells, M.D., is the Deputy Chief of the Children’s Cancer Hospital, specializing in lymphoma and leukemia. He joined the Children’s Cancer Hospital in 2003 after serving as a pediatric oncologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio, where family-centered care was part of the hospital’s culture.

He served on the steering committee to spearhead the family-centered care initiative at the Children’s Cancer Hospital before joining the Family Advisory Council.

“I believe the Family Advisory Council is the best hope we have of making true, family-centered change within the Children’s Cancer Hospital,” says Wells, “and I would like to be a part of that change effort.”

Wells feels his years of experience as physician and administrator at other medical centers will help him serve as a leader for the Children’s Cancer Hospital as it evolves into a more family-centered hospital for pediatric patients and families.

Patricia Wells

Patricia Wells is the Director of Family-Centered Care at the Children's Cancer Hospital, overseeing the Family Advisory Council and other family-centered care initiatives. She has been working in pediatric health care for more than 35 years as a nurse, manager, administrator and educator in several large medical centers. She has also worked in the Middle East.

Wells has been affiliated with the Children's Cancer Hospital for two years, re-locating from Cincinnati, Ohio where she directed family-centered care initiatives throughout the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. She has a great passion for listening to and working with families and continues to guide the Children's Cancer Hospital as it grows stronger with a family-centered care approach to caring for patients and their families. 

Rhonda Robert, Ph.D.

Rhonda Robert, Ph.D., has been a psychologist at the Children’s Cancer Hospital for four years. She plays a key role in providing comprehensive care by helping children and families cope with the ups and downs of cancer.

Robert feels the Family Advisory Council will provide a forum for parents to get their concerns and suggestions heard and problems solved to enhance the Children’s Cancer Hospital.

“I am interested in the needs of our patients and families and am motivated to improve the collaboration between families and staff,” says Robert. “The format of bringing family members and health care team members together to work on improving care is really exciting to me.”

Robert’s experience listening to patients and families who face challenges during their cancer journey will help bring an additional perspective to the Family Advisory Council.