Tina's Wish EmpowHER Series: Recent Episodes
The Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation (Tina's Wish)
The Tina’s Wish EmpowHER monthly series will educate and empower women in relation to their gynecologic health. Episodes will feature subject matter experts and moderators with personal connections to gynecologic cancers. Knowledge is power! We welcome all individuals to join us on this inclusive journey.
In the final episode of our infertility series, hosts Meaghan Repko DeShong and Rachel Nicks are joined by reproductive endocrinologist, obstetrician-gynecologist, and infertility specialist Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey for an empowering conversation about fertility preservation and family-building.
Together, they discuss fertility preservation both in the context of a cancer diagnosis and for anyone who wants to better understand their reproductive options. They explore why these conversations should happen early, what options are available for people at different stages of life, and how advances in fertility care are creating new possibilities for patients, survivors, and anyone planning for the future.
Whether you're navigating a diagnosis, considering your future fertility, or supporting someone you love, this episode offers practical guidance, hope, and the knowledge to help you advocate for yourself.
Education is power, and understanding your options can make all the difference.
Connect with our guests:
Rachel Nicks
https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/
https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/
Meaghan Repko DeShong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marepko/
Dr. Tia Jackson-Bey
https://www.instagram.com/drtiajacksonbey/?hl=en
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
As part of our Infertility Awareness Month series, this episode of What to Know Down Below® continues the conversation with Rachel Nicks, Founder of Birth Queen, breast cancer warrior, women's health advocate, and host of Runway for Research.
In this deeply personal conversation with Tina's Wish Board Member Meaghan Repko DeShong, Rachel reflects on her experiences with fertility preservation, pregnancy loss, breast cancer, motherhood, and the unexpected decisions that can follow a diagnosis.
Together, Rachel and Meaghan discuss the importance of understanding fertility options, finding a medical team that listens, advocating for yourself, and allowing space for the full range of emotions. Rachel also shares how support, education, and self-compassion helped her navigate one of the most challenging chapters of her life.
Filled with honesty, wisdom, and hope, this episode is a reminder that there is no single path to parenthood and that every person deserves the information and support needed to make the choices that are right for them.
Connect with our guests:
Rachel Nicks
https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/
https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/
Meaghan Repko DeShong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marepko/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
In recognition of Infertility Awareness Month, this episode of What to Know Down Below® explores the many different paths to building a family and the resilience it can take to get there.
Tina’s Wish Board Member Meaghan Repko DeShong and Rachel Nicks, breast cancer warrior, founder of Birth Queen, and host of this year’s Runway for Research, come together for an honest conversation about infertility, surrogacy, parenthood, and hope. Meaghan shares her experience following the discovery of an ovarian tumor in 2016, the fertility challenges that followed, and the journey that ultimately led her to motherhood through surrogacy.
Together, Meaghan and Rachel discuss the emotional realities of infertility, navigating unexpected changes to family-building plans, and the importance of finding support along the way. Filled with candor, humor, and compassion, this episode is a reminder that no two journeys look exactly the same—and that there is no one right path to parenthood.
Connect with our guests:
Meaghan Repko DeShong:
https://www.instagram.com/marepko/
Rachel Nicks:
https://www.instagram.com/rachelenicks/
https://www.instagram.com/birthqueenorg/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I feel so different lately?” or “Is it just me?”, this episode of What to Know Down Below™ is for you.
Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN & Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member & Partner at Joele Frank, are back to take a deeper dive into hormones and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Building on their perimenopause and menopause episodes, they break down what hormones actually do in the body, why fluctuations can make you feel “off”, and how HRT could make a real difference.
They also share nonhormonal strategies, lifestyle tips, and guidance for talking to your doctor, so you can finally feel like yourself again.
Check out Dr. Ghofrany and Meaghan's previous episodes!
- CLICK HERE to listen to "What is Perimenopause?"
- CLICK HERE to listen to "Navigating Menopause"
Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:
- https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/
- https://telleveryamazinglady.org/
- https://www.tribecalledv.com/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, Beverly Wolfer, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, sits down for an inspiring conversation with ovarian cancer warrior, social worker, and mom Elizabeth Johnston.
Elizabeth shares her journey from fertility treatment to an unexpected diagnosis, the choices she made to protect her health, and how adoption reshaped her definition of family. The episode also explores symptoms, self-advocacy, and the power of support groups.
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Caregiving can be a deeply meaningful experience—but it can also be incredibly challenging.
In this heartfelt episode of What to Know Down Below™, host Jannina Norpoth—a uterine and ovarian cancer survivor and GRAMMY-nominated violinist and composer—sits down with her mother, Barbara Barefield, a fellow uterine cancer survivor, and Bridget Gabbe, a clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Jannina and Barbara reflect on the unique experience of having cared for each other through their diagnoses, opening up about the emotional weight of shifting roles and the resilience it takes to support a loved one. Bridget offers expert insight into the realities of caregiving, along with practical advice for finding resources and maintaining self-care.
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
When it comes to preventing cancer, sometimes the most powerful tool is a conversation.
In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, attorney, writer and BRCA awareness advocate Erika Stallings sits down with Estie Rose, a licensed genetic counselor at JScreen. Together, they discuss how understanding your family health history and exploring genetic testing can empower you to make informed choices about your health — and why talking openly with loved ones can be the first step toward prevention.
CLICK HERE to watch this episode on YouTube!
CLICK HERE to learn more about JScreen!
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
In this episode of What to Know Down Below™, Beverly Wolfer, Executive Director of Tina’s Wish, is joined by Tina’s Wish Scientific Advisory Board member and funded researcher, Lan Coffman, MD, PhD of UPMC, and Andrew Brozman, co-founder of Tina’s Wish and husband of the late Tina Brozman.
Their conversation honors Tina’s legacy, highlights the urgent need for early detection, and showcases the innovative, collaborative research making real progress in the fight against ovarian cancer.
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
A conversation between two ovarian cancer warriors on resilience, career and life after a diagnosis.
Entrepreneur, broadcast journalist, and PR executive Michelle Mekky sits down with financial advisor Alissa Quinn for an honest, heartfelt conversation. Together, they share their journeys and reflect on the challenges of balancing a high-pressure career with a life-changing diagnosis, offering hope, strategies and inspiration.
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Featuring Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN & Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and moderated by Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member & Partner at Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher.
Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:
https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/
https://telleveryamazinglady.org/
https://www.tribecalledv.com/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Featuring Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN & Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and moderated by Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member & Partner at Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher.
Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:
https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/
https://telleveryamazinglady.org/
https://www.tribecalledv.com/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Featuring Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN & Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and moderated by Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member & Partner at Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher.
Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:
https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/
https://telleveryamazinglady.org/
https://www.tribecalledv.com/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Featuring Dr. Shieva Ghofrany, OBGYN & Co-founder of Tribe Called V, and moderated by Meaghan Repko DeShong, Tina's Wish Board Member & Partner at Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher.
Learn more about Dr. Ghofrany at:
https://www.instagram.com/drshievag/
https://telleveryamazinglady.org/
https://www.tribecalledv.com/
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Featuring Kristina Coccoluto, a BRCA1 mutation carrier & heredity cancer advocate, in conversation with Jessica Martineau, MS, CGC, a board-certified genetic counselor who specializes in cancer genetics at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
CLICK HERE for the CDC's Family Health History resources.
CLICK HERE to find a genetic counselor.
Follow Kristina on Instagram at: @kristinacoccoluto
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Moderated by Jennifer Garam, ovarian cancer survivor & advocate and health journalist, and featuring Dr. Melissa Frey, Gynecologic Oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine.
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Moderated by Jennifer Garam, ovarian cancer survivor & advocate and health journalist, and featuring Dr. Melissa Frey, Gynecologic Oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Moderated by Jennifer Garam, ovarian cancer survivor & advocate and health journalist, and featuring Dr. Melissa Frey, Gynecologic Oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine
tinaswish.org/whattoknow
Hosted by comedian and 2x ovarian cancer survivor, Karen Mills, and featuring Dr. Gizelka David-West, Gynecologic Oncologist at Northwell Health and lead singer of the band N.E.D.
Hosted by comedian and 2x ovarian cancer survivor, Karen Mills, and featuring Dr. Gizelka David-West, Gynecologic Oncologist at Northwell Health and lead singer of the band N.E.D.
Hosted by comedian and 2x ovarian cancer survivor, Karen Mills, and featuring Dr. Gizelka David-West, Gynecologic Oncologist at Northwell Health and lead singer of the band N.E.D.
Hosted by Actress, Doula & Women's Health Advocate, Rachel Nicks, featuring Dr. Bhavana Pothuri from NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center and Dr. Leslie Randall from VCU Health.
EmpowHER Webisode #4: Be Heard: How Advocate for Yourself as a Patient
Featuring: Elle Simone Scott, Celebrity Chef and Ovarian Cancer Surviver panelists Dr. Leslie Boyd,Gynecologic Oncologist, NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center and Dr. Lindsay Kuroki,Gynecologic Oncologist, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
EmpowHER Webisode #3: The Role Genetics Plays in Gynecologic Cancers
Featuring:
Susan Domchek, MD; Medical Oncologist, Executive Director of the Basser Center for BRCA, Penn Medicine
Amanda Ganzak, MS, CGS; Lead Genetic Counselor at Yale School of Medicine
Moderated by Leslie Zmugg, General Counsel at Gordon Brothers and a member of the Tina's Wish Boston Gathering Committee.
To join the mailing list for future webisodes, please Click Here.
EmpowHER Webisode #2: Disparities When It Comes To Gyncologic Cancers & How We Can Close the Gap
Featuring: Valerie Smaldone, Moderator, Media Personality, Radio Host & Ovarian Cancer Survivor
Carol Brown, MD; Gynecologic Surgeon, SVP & Chief Health Equity Officer, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Dineo Khabele, MD; Chief of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine
To join the mailing list for future webisodes, please Click Here.
A conversation about the symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments for gynecologic cancers. Featuring Dr. Leslie Boyd of NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center and Dr. Kara Long Roche of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Moderated by Joyce Kulhawik, an Emmy Award-winning Arts & Entertainment Critic and Ovarian Cancer Survivor.
To watch recorded webisodes and/or for more information and to register for upcoming webisodes, please visit TWEmpowHER.org