Katerina Gmitter (co-founder) is a young breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed at 32, as a young mother to two children aged 2.5 and 4 months. She knows firsthand the value of a respite, having a break from cancer and family obligations to focus on self care. She utilized many programs and services offered to cancer survivors. As she states, “It was the beginning of my healing. I had space to breathe and just be. One night away from the reality of cancer, my side effects and my family obligations allowed me to rest and focus on me.” She has learned that healing is not linear, and her healing was built upon connection with other survivors, simple moments with family and friends, and healing through food, art, therapy, movement, being in nature, and time.
Katerina has worked with several nonprofit organizations supporting women through breast cancer through advocacy, fundraising, program creation and support. She co-facilitates a young breast cancer support group through Young Survival Coalition and UNC Lineberger Cancer Support Center.
Healing Pines Respite is a way to turn her wounds into medicine and to honor her mother, Lorraine, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer when Katerina was 20. Her mission is to help women on their own healing journey through respites, nature, connection, and self-care.
Jessica Murley (co-founder) is a social worker who has experience in the nonprofit world, K-12 school settings, and private practice She believes that when people truly connect-with each other, with nature, with themselves, they become happier, healthier and more fulfilled. Through her work in mentoring and in the school setting, she saw firsthand how women and girls supporting each other can be life-changing.
Jessica lost her father Fred to metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2017. Fred was a talented artist, poet, musician, mentor to many, and most importantly an amazing father. He was a free spirit and lived his life in search of meaning and deep connection. He taught Jessica empathy and the value of doing for others, and through his cancer diagnosis, about hope.
Jessica with Fred Good’s Painting that was the inspiration for our logo.
Healing Pines Respite is a way to honor Fred, and is a culmination of all that Jessica believes in both personally and professionally. While accompanying Fred to doctor's appointments, chemo, and many hospital stays, Jessica was deeply affected by the realization of just how many people are impacted by cancer. Her goal is to give women the space they need to begin healing through connection, self care and hope.
Carmela Rocchetti, M.D.
Dr. Rocchetti is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of the Human Dimension Course at Hackensack Meridian Health School Of Medicine. Dr. Rocchetti is a clinician educator dedicated to serving and teaching others to understand and serve vulnerable populations. Dr. Rocchetti has designed, developed, and currently directs the innovative Human Dimension (HD) course at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMH-SOM). Through service-learning experiences and an integrated curriculum, students in HD learn about the many Determinants of Health by working directly with individuals and families from underserved areas in an effort to understand the drivers of health outcomes, provide education, and navigate community resources. As an internist at Hackensack Meridian Health since 2011, Dr. Rocchetti has held many academic and leadership roles. Prior to joining Hackensack Meridian Health, Dr. Rocchetti was Medical Director of the Lenox Hill Ambulatory Care Center in NY and a clinical instructor at the New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Rocchetti trained at New York Presbyterian Hospital – Weill Cornell in the Primary Care track program where she served as Ambulatory Chief Resident. She is an alumni of Robert Wood Johnson Rutgers Medical School and Cornell University.
Natasha Goldstein
"The challenges facing women battling cancer, especially women with children to care for, are immense. They deserve a break, an opportunity to rest and relax. Healing Pines Respite offers just that, and at no cost to them."
Natasha Goldstein is Founder and Managing Director of The Accountkeepers, a 100% women-owned and operated firm that acts as the outsourced accounting department for other organizations. Natasha has spent more than a decade in corporate finance, social impact investing and social entrepreneurship. Prior to founding The Accountkeepers Natasha was Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of MCE Social Capital, a $60 million global social investment fund focused on improving the lives of low-income women in rural areas. At MCE Natasha was responsible for raising approximately $20 million dollars in impact investment capital annually, as well as all financial and operational aspects of the fund. From 2012 to 2013 Natasha served as Finance Director at Hot Bread Kitchen, a commercial bakery providing on-the-job training to immigrant women in New York City. In 2010, Natasha founded LIFT Investments, a social enterprise focused on business development and skills training in Nairobi, Kenya. Natasha has a Bachelor’s of Commerce degree with a major in finance from Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada and a Masters of Public Administration focused on economic development from Columbia University.
Natasha is also a regular public speaker and lecturer on launching social ventures, entrepreneurship, impact investing and social enterprise. Venues have included Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of North Carolina. Lastly, Natasha teaches a course on impact investing and social entrepreneurship at Columbia University.
Katy Fodchuk, Ph.D.
Dr. Katy Fodchuck is the Executive Director of Organizational Development at Advanced Learning Partnerships, Inc. Katy is an organizational psychologist with 20 years of broad experience in public and private sectors. Since 2006, she has specialized in K-12 education systems and is passionate about collaborating with and supporting districts as they implement transformational organizational change.
Dr. Katy Fodchuk is excited to contribute to Healing Pines Respite’s mission to provide cancer survivors with opportunities for rest, reflection, and building deeper connections with their fellow survivor community. She is inspired by her grandmother and grandfather who were both long time survivors of cancer. Her grandfather, William Combrink (Papa Bill), was the first man in California to receive radiation. His cancer eventually returned, he survived and thrived 40+ years after his initial diagnosis. Katy’s grandmother, Marilyn Combrink Harris (“Mimi’), was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age and survived until 89. Marilyn and Bill understood respite and were avid doll house builders, beach walkers, and world travelers. Katy is forever grateful for to have had the time to love and know her grandparents.
Regina Jones
Regina Jones was just 36 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was planning her wedding, preparing to move to a new city and was excited about starting a family. After being married for only 16 days her new life as a wife was forever changed. Regina knew that she needed to connect with young woman who could relate to what she was feeling and going through. She joined the Young Survival Coalition group through the UNC Lineberger Cancer Support Center, where she participated in many programs and utilized serval services. The one program that had a lasting affect on her was “First Descents”, an outdoor experiential program that provides Respite to young people with cancer and brings them back to nature. The time she spent had a profound effect on her healing, her mind and spirit.
Regina has been married for 8 years and has beautiful 3-year-old twin daughters. She continues to use her energy to advocate care for woman fighting cancer and their caregivers. She has worked with the American Cancer Society where she chaired “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk for 3 years.
She has worked on several projects with UNC Lineberger Cancer Hospital and is currently a volunteer with the Patient and Family Advisory Council of NC Cancer Hospital.