University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Elsie Sterling Howard

Elsie Sterling Howard has redefined the term ‘volunteer’ with her dedication and leadership to the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Instead of waiting for direction, Howard has grabbed the reigns of projects over the years at UM/Sylvester and now she is embarking on her most ambitious work yet.

Howard is the creator and chairperson of the Well Being/Being Well conference, a one-day educational, integrated approach to healthy living, being held April 22nd. The event, the first of its kind hosted by UM/Sylvester, will feature best-selling author and pioneer in the field of mind and body, Deepak Chopra, and University of Miami President and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna E. Shalala, as keynote speakers.

“I wanted to come up with an event that not only shared the wealth of resources available at UM/Sylvester, but also conveyed the many ways that all of us can live healthier, more mindful lives,” said Howard. Attendees can customize the conference to their own interests, picking from among 14 breakout sessions on specific topics such as the latest in genetics research, the power of mind over matter, being an informed patient, and women’s and men’s health, among others. Each of the sessions features top UM physicians, along with patients or other professionals addressing real-life concerns.

Howard, who headed up a successful public relations firm, also donates her efforts to a variety of local and national organizations. In 2003 she was awarded the National Volunteer of the Year by the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with their signature award – “International Volunteer of the Year.” She received UM/Sylvester’s 2004 Caroline W. Halpern Award which exemplifies the tradition of community leadership and excellence.

“It is an honor and a privilege to work on the Well Being conference. With the support of UM/Sylvester, I hope we can inspire people to take the right steps towards achieving lifelong good health,” said Howard.

Tickets for the Well Being/Being Well conference are now on sale at www.sylveter.org/wellbeing/.

Joan B. Scheiner

When Joan B. Scheiner was diagnosed with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma more than 10 years ago, it would not only change her life, it would also leave a lasting imprint at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. Scheiner has been a life-long community advocate for several not-for-profit organizations, working successfully as both a professional and a volunteer.

Her involvement with UM/Sylvester began when she was diagnosed with and successfully treated for metastatic soft tissue sarcoma. Since that time, Scheiner has dedicated herself to countless fundraising efforts on behalf of the cancer center, always being a champion of the scientists and physicians who work tirelessly to save lives. Scheiner recently strutted down the runway at UM/Sylvester’s “Party in the Park”, at the Village of Merrick Park. The one-of-a-kind event featured a fashion show with patients-turned-models, who walked the red carpet with their physicians. Scheiner now holds a number of key leadership roles, chair of the Board of Governors, chair of UM/Sylvester’s Development Committee, co-chair of the cancer center’s Capital Campaign, and Grand Founder of UM/Sylvester.

As chair of the Board of Governors, Scheiner is behind UM/Sylvester’s premier event, its inaugural Well Being/Being Well conference. “It’s by far, one of the most ambitious projects ever, but one that we wanted to take the lead on as South Florida’s only university-based cancer center,” said Scheiner. Tickets are now on sale for the April event, which will give attendees a chance to get the latest information on an integrated approach to health care.

“This is not a fundraiser,” says Scheiner. “It’s a life-raiser for the people of South Florida. What we’re asking people to do is arm themselves with information so they can live healthier lives. Offering events like these is part of UM/Sylvester’s mission to provide our community with the most comprehensive information about health and cancer research.” Seeing the big picture of the future of health care is what makes Joan B. Scheiner a priceless volunteer.

Jayne S. Malfitano

Donating time and energy to a worthwhile cause is in Jayne S. Malfitano’s genes. Growing up, she watched her father’s generosity, passion and dedication flourish into what is now a place of hope. Malfitano’s father was Harcourt Sylvester Jr., the founder of the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a world-renowned cancer facility.

Sylvester created the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation in 1980, soon after his father’s death from lung cancer. Several years later, when Malfitano was in her early 30’s, her father donated $27.5 million to the University to build a cancer center in honor of his parents. Since that time, Malfitano’s dedication to her father’s dream has turned her into an unwavering supporter of UM/Sylvester, its physicians and scientists.

“My father dreamed the cancer center would be wonderful,” says Malfitano, “but I don’t think any of us could have imagined what it would become.” Malfitano is president of the board of directors of the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation and she and her sister, Laura Cameron, are both directors of the family foundation which has now contributed more than $50 million to Miller School of Medicine programs.

The Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation is a sponsor of one of the cancer center’s boldest events ever, the inaugural Well Being/Being Well conference. The one day event intends to arm people in South Florida with knowledge about living healthier lives, while giving them access to the wealth of resources available at UM/Sylvester.

Malfitano’s involvement started with her father’s historic financial donation, but it is her heart and hard work that continue his legacy. She is a member of the UM/Sylvester Board of Governors and sits on UM/Sylvester’s marketing and board services committees. “UM/Sylvester has given a future to so many. I want to help continue that commitment.”