Meet the Bloggers

Martin E. Gutierrez, MD

Dr. Gutierrez is a specialist in Lung, Colon / GI and Lymphoma. He serves as the Medical Director of the Michael and Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital.

He is also the Principal Investigator,
Developmental Therapeutic Clinic Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) and Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research (CCR) NCI/NIH, Bethesda, MD.

Institutions Attended:

Medical School: Javeriana University School of Medicine, Bogota, Colombia
Internship:Boston Massachusetts Center, Boston University
Residency: Medical Chief Resident, Boston Medical Center
Fellowship: National Cancer Institute, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland

Board Certifications:

Board Certified in Internal Medicine
Board Certified in Hematology
Board Certified in Medical Oncology

Office number: 954-267-7700

Marnie S. Kaplan, MD

Dr. Kaplan is a fellowship-trained breast surgical oncologist. She received her medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine, and completed her residency and fellowship training at Lehigh Valley Hospital at Penn State. Dr. Kaplan also served as chief surgical resident and resident education coordinator at Lehigh Valley.

Institutions Attended:

Medical School: Penn State University College of Medicine
Internship: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Penn State University
Residency: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Penn State University
Fellowship: Lehigh Valley Hospital, Penn State University

Office number: 954-772-6700

Lav K. Goyal, MD

Holy Cross Hospital and the Michael and Dianne Bienes Cancer Center would like to introduce you to our newest radiation oncologist, Dr. Lav K. Goyal.

Dr. Goyal completed his radiation oncology residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio in 2001. He then joined the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he headed the GU division in the Department of Radiation Oncology.

He is board certified through the American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology.

After spending one year in private practice in West Palm Beach, he joined the staff of Holy Cross Hospital in July 2008. Dr. Goyal has extensive experience in treating malignancies including using the modalities of intensity modulated radiotherapy, image guided radiotherapy, prostate seed implants and high dose rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

Dr. Goyal is on the panels of all the major insurance companies and he has been approved to participate in various clinical trial groups including RTOG, CCOP, CALGB, GOG, ACOSOG and others.

Office Number: 954-492-5764

Christina Austin-Valere

Christina Austin-Valere is a Masters level Social Worker at the Michael & Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Christina is dedicated to providing cancer education and counseling to individuals, families, and groups in the arena of disease management and prevention. She facilitates several education and support groups at the Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, where she has been employed since 2006.

Christina remains dedicated in providing optimal psychosocial interventions to patients and families with whom she interacts.  She is also very dedicated to her profession and has held many positions in the NASW.  Her most recent positions include the Region VI Representative on the NASW National Board in Washington, DC and past president of the NASW for the State of Florida.  Also of noteworthy importance is her involvement with FSOSW, where she served first as the Treasurer from 1996 to 1998, Conference Co-Chairperson 1998 to 1999, President from 2000 to 2001, and last but not least as the Historian from 2004 to 2005.

Christina graduated from Fordham University in New York with a Master of Social Work degree and is presently pursuing her doctorate at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. Her Bachelors of Social Work was awarded from College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York.

In additional to her education and work demands, volunteerism remains a high priority for Christina, who still finds time to provide educational presentations to community organizations, and provide services to community groups.  She was awarded the 2008 Special Award of Recognition for the Look Good Feel Better Signature Program for the American Cancer Society (ACS).  She currently sits on the boards of ACS, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society of Broward and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).  She is a member of the Florida Society of Oncology Social Workers (FSOSW). She was named Social Worker of the Year for FSOSW in 2001 – 2002 and for Vitas Innovative Hospice Care in 2004 – 2005.

Office number: 954-267-7770 

Carol Brudenell

Carol Brudenell, MSN, RN, AOCN, is the Research Nurse Manager at the Michael & Dianne Bienes Comprehensive Cancer Center at Holy Cross Hospital. Carol holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree from Canada’s McGill University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Barry University and a Masters of Nursing in Adult Health from the University of Miami. She has received additional education in genetics and genetic counseling from the National Institutes of Health, University of Cincinnati and the Oncology Nursing Society.

Carol is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the National Society of Genetic Counselors, International Society of Nurses in Genetics, and the Society of Clinical Research Associates.  She is a  charter member and past president of the Broward Oncology Nursing Society.  Carol has presented extensively on Cancer Clinical Trials, Genetics and Genetic Counseling, Oncology Care and Cancer Pain Management. Carol will be blogging about research and genetics.  

Office number: 954-267-7704

 Rev. Joanne Afshar

Rev. Joanne Afshar has been part of the Spiritual Care Team since May 2006. She is a clinical chaplain serving both the hospital and the Bienes Cancer Center. Born and raised in Indiana, she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Barnard College in New York City and a Master of Divinity degree at the Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, IN (Quaker). She was ordained to the ministry by the First Baptist Church of Gaithersburg, MD, and endorsed by the American Baptist Churches-USA. She completed her Clinical Pastoral Education at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, and is Board Certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains. Joanne is the mother of four children and grandmother of five. She has a strong interest in spirituality, contemplative prayer and retreat ministry.

Office number: 954-351-7877

Maureen Mahoney

Maureen Mahoney is a Clinical Nutritionist at Holy Cross Hospital. Maureen’s role at the Bienes Cancer Center is concentrated on nutritional counseling for patients in treatment at the Center.

Maureen started her work in clinical dietetics in 1991 after graduating with honors from Florida International University. She came to Holy Cross as a Registered Dietitian in 1992 and continued through March 1994, when she gave birth to her second child. Maureen continued to work actively in the community conducting nutrition seminars and events, and is the owner of Life Technologies, an international consulting practice. Maureen was also an active member of Kids in Distress, leading projects towards the prevention of child abuse.

Maureen has worked in clinical nutrition in other acute patient care settings and ran an outpatient center for weight management.

Maureen spent 10 years in  the Dallas, TX area mastering her skills in behavior modification, counseling, stress reduction and personal growth. She is a certified  Business and Personal Life Coach and her clients include a PGA golf pro, an Olympic runner, New York Times best selling authors and Fortune 100 executives.

Maureen is a native of Boston. She graduated from Boston College with a degree in Political Science and Sociology. Maureen has two children, Julia 15 and Paul 24. In her free time Maureen enjoyed running, yoga and traveling.