Pheo Para Alliance Speaker’s Bureau is comprised of patients, caregivers, clinicians and researchers who can educate your group on the complexities of pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.
The illness presents various hurdles to overcome and endure. Topics of discussion may include diagnosis, treatment, management of ongoing symptoms, psycho-social issues, genetics & research.
Pheo Para Alliance works closely with world-renowned clinicians and researchers who have dedicated their careers to ensuring patients have the best health outcomes and finding new answers to help future generations. You can request a speaker for a clinical or research setting, in addition to a speaker who provides a patient or caregiver perspective.
If you are interested in requesting a speaker, please email us at info@pheopara.org with details about the opportunity, including your preference for a patient/caregiver or clinician/researcher, whether the opportunity is virtual or in-person, the preferred date and the approximate number and type of audience.
Meet some of our speakers below.
Speakers Bureau
Karel Pacak, MD, PhD, DSc
Chair,Medical Advisory Board, Board of Directors, Co-PI, Research & Registry Advisory Board
Karel Pacak, MD, PhD, DSc
Chair,Medical Advisory Board, Board of Directors, Co-PI, Research & Registry Advisory Board
Dr. Pacak is a board-certified endocrinologist and an internationally recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, especially pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. He graduated summa cum laude from Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic in 1984. In 1990, he began his postdoctoral fellowship at NINDS. In 1995, Dr. Pacak began his residency in internal medicine at the Washington Hospital Center under Dr. L. Wartofsky, followed by a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at NIH. In 1998, he established a new Program for Neuroendocrine Tumors focusing on pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma at NICHD. He received his Ph.D. in 1993 and his D.Sc. in 1998 in the field of neuroendocrinology from Charles University. In 2006, he was awarded a lifetime professorship in Internal Medicine at Charles University. Currently, Dr. Pacak serves as the Medical Director for the Center for Adrenal Endocrine Tumors at Akeso Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.
Dr. Pacak established the International Symposia on Pheochromocytoma. He also helped co-found a new Asian Alliance for the Study of Neuroendocrine Tumors in 2010. He is a recipient of numerous awards including the Peter Heimann Memorial Award at Yale University, International Association of Endocrine Surgeons; NIH Director’s Mentor Award, Award for Cure from Pheo Para Alliance, NICHD Director’s Award of Merit, Pincus Taft Memorial Lecture the Highest Award from Endocrine Society of Australia, and Jessenius Gold Medal from Slovak Academy of Sciences. Dr. Pacak is the author of more than 305 scientific peer-reviewed articles, 98 book chapters, and 5 books.
Lacey Koelling
Secretary, Board of Directors, Patient Engagement Committee, Speakers Bureau
My name is Lacey Koelling and my journey with PPA began in 2018 when I was diagnosed with bilateral carotid body tumors. At the time, I was introduced to the Paratroopers by my genetic counselor. From 2018-2023, I believed my lifetime of monitoring my paras was all this diagnosis would bring me. In 2023 when I received the news I was metastatic, the PPA became a refugee of information and support for me. Over the past year and a half, I have increased my involvement with other patients and researched ways to contribute to the education and research of pheo para through the PPA. This has led me to seek a greater, more involved role in supporting the community which led me to become a member of the board. I am interested in being an advocate for patients and research for treatment options.
Lisa Anderson
Treasurer, Board of Directors, Speaker Bureau, Finance Committee, Research and Registry Advisory Board
Lisa Anderson
Treasurer, Board of Directors, Speaker Bureau, Finance Committee, Research and Registry Advisory Board
Lisa Anderson is a “mother on a mission” determined to help others avoid a long and excruciating journey toward a pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma diagnosis. After seeking answers for nearly 5 years that would explain her college-aged son’s debilitating symptoms (headaches, blood pressure swings, irregular heartrate, sweating, nausea, vomiting and extreme panic/anxiety), a suspicion of a pheochromocytoma tumor was finally discovered through incidental testing by a gastroenterologist who ordered an ultrasound to investigate a potential gallbladder issue. The time from diagnosis to tumor removal surgery became a whirlwind of searching PubMed articles about pheo, coordinating with the surgical team, cross-checking every well-intended medication, and caring for her precariously sick son who required 24-hour hospital care until the surgery date.
After learning a blood and/or urine test to check metanephrine levels when the symptoms first appeared could have signaled this adrenal tumor, Lisa has made it her mission to look for ways to raise awareness about this disease with health care providers. She has found a place with Pheo Para Alliance (PPA) to channel her energies. Throughout her more than 30-year career at the Fred Hutchingson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA, Lisa has had the opportunity to cultivate relationships with physicians, scientists, residents, fellows, administrators, and volunteers with whom she worked collaboratively to support cancer research with special emphasis on patient needs. She hopes to use her experience in health care administration and knowledge of health care systems to access an array of medical professionals and organizations to remind them to “think about pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma” so that others will not have to endure an unnecessary and potentially dangerous delay in diagnosis.
Lisa holds a BA in Spanish from the University of Washington, and a Masters in Teaching from Western Governor’s University. When she’s not happily volunteering with the PPA, she loves substitute teaching at the local elementary school, road trips, and playing golf with her husband and two sons.
Saundra Underwood
Member
In the fall of 2019, Saundra was diagnosed with a Pheochromocytoma after experiencing a traumatic crisis while receiving dental care. During the procedure her heart actually stopped and she was immediately rushed to the emergency room where she was placed in a medically induced coma. After awaking the discovery of the tumor took place during a 3 week stay at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. A successful surgery was performed to remove the tumor but months later she was diagnosed with heart failure due to the years of damage caused by the tumor. But once properly medicated Saundra is now five plus years past this diagnosis and life experience.
She has been an active volunteer with the Pheo Para Alliance during those five years and is now looking forward to speaking on behalf of individuals diagnosed with this rare disease. Her positive attitude throughout her recent medical journey led her to establish My Rare Inspiration, LLC which is a line of medical inspiring paraphernalia.
Saundra D. Underwood is the principal owner of Lady Alexandra Wellness Concepts which began with a line of natural skincare products. After nearly 25 years in the skincare business Saundra’s interest with taking care of others lead her to attend Cortiva School of Massage. This career decision was a continuation of her interest in health and wellness. Besides working in the health care industry, Saundra has worked in many industries to satisfy her ubiquitous curiosity for learning – worldwide travel as a flight attendant, trainer, substitute high school teacher, business & legal researcher, writer and fashion/hair model. Her hobbies include walking, biking, hiking, reading, writing poetry and short stories as well as caring for exotic house plants.
She attended the University of Cincinnati where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Criminal and also earned a Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School.