Events - Event View

Dr. Wonders is the Founding Director and CEO of Maple Tree Cancer Alliance, and program director of the Exercise Science and Exercise Oncology program at Wright State University. Dr. Wonders leads Maple Tree Cancer Alliance in developing and implementing evidence-based clinical exercise oncology programs across healthcare systems in multiple states and 25 countries, serving thousands of cancer patients annually. Through her organization and academic roles, she has secured multiple grants, established extensive clinical partnerships, and created professional education programs for healthcare providers and exercise specialists. Dr. Wonders brings extensive expertise in exercise program development, cancer rehabilitation, and healthcare system implementation to advance the field of exercise oncology. Her work continues to bridge the gap between research and practical application in clinical settings, making exercise-based interventions more accessible to cancer patients and survivors.

Maple Tree Cancer Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides evidence-based, supervised exercise training programs to improve quality of life for cancer patients. The organization operates through a unique four-phase system that supports patients from diagnosis through survivorship. Each patient receives comprehensive fitness assessments and individualized exercise prescriptions from Certified Exercise Oncology Instructors with bachelor’s degrees in exercise science-related fields. The typical 12-week phases follow ACSM guidelines and are delivered through one-on-one sessions. Program outcomes demonstrate significant impact with 58.7% improvements in quality of life, 15.2% improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance, and a 47% decrease in 30-day hospital readmissions. To reach underserved populations, Maple Tree Cancer Alliance has developed innovative virtual service delivery models and community partnerships. These efforts have achieved a 42% increase in rural patient participation, with virtual program completion rates of 94% compared to 87% for in-person services, successfully breaking down geographic and socioeconomic barriers to exercise oncology care.

Mary Van Heukelom is the program director for Above + Beyond Cancer. She co-creates and leads the Optimal Living for Cancer Survivor Programs. She trains, educates and coaches cancer survivors to reduce the chance of relapse, and enhance recovery, through the implementation of holistic personal wellness programs that address all aspects of healthy living. Mary is a Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer and Wellness Coach who leads the Total Training Class, a small group personal training program for survivors, teaches Urban Pole Walking, Hike + Stretch, Forest Bathing, Sound Healing and facilitates book club, cycle club, and nutrition + cooking classes. Mary trained, trekked and led Cancer Survivor teams to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest, Summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Kailash in Tibet, and Huayna Picchu in Peru. As a certified running coach, she participated in Coast to Coast for Cancer and co-coached Above + Beyond Cancer’s 2012 Race Across America cycling team. Her professional life purpose is to inspire others to discover their optimal health, of body, mind and spirit. She loves adventure, the outdoors, and time with her family and friends.

The mission of Above + Beyond Cancer is to elevate the mind, body, and spirit of patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey. Founded in 2011 by Des Moines, Iowa Oncologist Dr. Richard Deming, Above + Beyond Cancer provides evidence-based, free programs for cancer survivors and the community that promote recovery and prevention. These programs include fitness, yoga, mindfulness-based programs, rowing, cycling, personalized plans, nutrition classes, urban pole walking, outdoor adventures, book club, and a cancer education series.

Michael Lazio serves as the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute (UNCCRI) clinical coordinator. He is an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and a Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialist. He earned his undergraduate degree and his master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). After leaving UNC he coordinated and directed the CancerFit Program for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Mr. Lazio has over 14 years of experience in the oncology rehabilitation field. In his current role as the clinical coordinator, he is responsible for the coordination of all clinical services, supervises UNCCRI staff and students, and oversees daily operations of the institute. Duties include supervising medical screening, exercise assessments and interventions, and clinical research studies. He instructs the cancer rehabilitation course at UNC and leads and organizes the Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialist certification workshop courses at UNC and other locations. These courses are designed for healthcare professionals working with cancer patients in rehabilitation exercise settings. He is a co-lecturer for the PORi (Physiological Oncology Rehabilitation Institute) Chemotoxicity and Cancer Exercise Management course that instructs participants in the clinical skill sets and techniques needed to effectively deliver well-structured, specialized oncology rehabilitation therapy (both as prehab and rehab) to address the effects of chemotoxicity course since 2018.

The UNCCRI is a truly unique program and is recognized as a frontrunner in the field of cancer rehabilitation. Our expertise has been developed over the last three decades by delivering clinical cancer rehabilitation services, providing educational opportunities and experiences in cancer rehabilitation, and conducting cutting-edge research in exercise-based cancer rehabilitation. We have a 10,000 square-foot facility completely dedicated to our mission of improving the quality of life for cancer survivors. This is accomplished through three distinctive programs designed to serve, investigate, and educate.

Sadie Engelken is a clinical exercise physiologist and Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist. She started working with the cancer population in 2017 while completing an internship at the University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute. She furthered her studies working with this population and other chronic conditions by obtaining her master’s degree in clinical exercise physiology. Sadie worked in multiple medically integrated gyms teaching group classes, providing specialty programming for those referred by a physician with chronic conditions, and doing one-on-one training before ending up in Kansas City in an effort to build a new exercise science/exercise physiology program. Sadie quickly decided she missed the patient care world too much. She continues to adjunct in an effort to assist future clinicians in finding their path in our field but pursued a more clinical role with Cancer Wellness for Life. In this role she provided exercise consultation in several Kansas City area cancer centers working side by side with physicians, nursing staff, and nurse navigators to meet the needs of her patients. During this time, she also provided extended outreach efforts of education and resource development for topics such as wellness and exercise in her local area as well as across the United States. In 2023, Sadie moved to Chattanooga, TN to start a Cancer Exercise Program housed within cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at CHI Memorial. She works in the inpatient and outpatient cancer exercise programs while continuing to expand their offerings based on patient and hospital needs. Sadie also continues to advocate for exercise as standard of care for the cancer population through writing and speaking opportunities.

CHI Memorial’s Cancer Exercise Program includes both an inpatient and outpatient component. Clinical exercise physiologists/cancer exercise specialists staff this program to provide individualized exercise programming. Patients are identified by physician’s or staff members and referrals can be sent using the hospital’s EMR. The inpatient program includes one-on-one sessions while patient’s are hospitalized during chemotherapy treatment or as a result of treatment side effects or other health concerns. Program staff coordinate interdisciplinary care with the PT/OT teams as appropriate. The outpatient program is facilitated within the Phase 3 area of the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation gym. Patient’s get an individualized exercise prescription based on their intake appointment and exercise assessments. They work semi-independently in the gym under the supervision of the CEP/CES staff. The outpatient program serves those preparing for or recovering from surgery, on treatment, and post-treatment timepoints.