Since 1977
About Us
STAFF
Susan Silberstein, PhD
Executive Director/Educational Director
Dr. Susan Silberstein has served as Executive Director of the CACE since she founded the organization in October of 1977, after the death of her young husband to cancer. Susan is Editor of Immune Perspectives magazine, creator of the video, Breast Cancer: The Diet Connection, author of the recipe book Hungry for Health, and originator of Philadelphia’s annual “Food & Health Expo.”
An international speaker on nutrition, cancer prevention, and complementary and alternative medicine, Susan lectures frequently for medical and nursing schools, continuing oncology nursing education programs, universities, corporations, and other organizations. She has appeared on scores of radio and television talk shows, has coordinated hundreds of health conferences, and has counseled thousands of patients.
For several years, Susan taught the psychology of health and disease in the Graduate Division of Counseling Psychology at Immaculata University. She also served as Educational Advisor to the National Foundation for Alternative Medicine, as trainer for Ultimate Health Group and Peak Potentials, Inc., as Director of the Integrative Program for Cancer Prevention at the Village at Newtown Medical Center, and as consultant for various educational, clinical, and nutraceutical facilities. A frequent contributing writer and interviewee for various health publications, she is featured in Rutgers University Press’s Evaluating Alternative Cancer Therapies, among other books.
A Phi Beta Kappa and Fulbright scholar, Susan is the recipient of the Jefferson Award of the American Institute for Public Service, the Legion of Honor Award of the Chapel of Four Chaplains, the Montgomery County Woman of Vision Award, the Founder’s Award of the National Foundation for Alternative medicine, and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Center for Advancement in Cancer Education.
Susan is also an accomplished linguist, a trained opera singer, and mother of four.
Randi Shayne, ND
Patient Services Director
Dr. Randi Shayne has served as Patient Services Director since 2000. Dr. Shayne is expert at counseling patients, their family and friends in a non judgmental manner respecting each patient’s personal values.
Dr. Shayne utilizes realistic diet and lifestyle education to guide patients before, during and after treatment. Dr. Shayne aids every patient on their individualized journey to restore cellular health and improve quality of life.
Dr. Shayne received a B.A. in Biology form LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA and her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) from National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM), the oldest naturopathic medical school in the U.S. located in Portland, OR.
Dr. Shayne is a voting member of the Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians (www.panp.org).
Maria Fiorello
Program Coordinator/Call Center Manager
That warm, friendly voice you may have heard answering the phone is our newest staff person, Program Coordinator Maria Fiorello. A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and certified as a Healthy Living Coach, Maria worked in the department of hospital nutrition management with Princeton Healthcare System prior to joining our staff in 2010.
Maria's passion for helping people through lifestyle and wellness balance came from her own personal experiences, having lost both parents to cancer and having herself been diagnosed with lupus at age 20.
Maria's dedication to making a difference in people's lives is rooted within the foundation of her character. "It is such a blessing that opportunity knocked for me to join the BeatCancer team. I really look forward to living my passion through my commitment to the organization," she enthused. And we are truly thrilled to have her here!
Lillian Goertzel, EdD, CN
Supervising Psychologist & Patient Counselor
Dr. Lillian Goertzel has served the Center as Supervising Psychologist and Patient Counselor since 1991. A licensed psychologist and certified nutritionist, Dr. Goertzel received her bachelor's degree in psychology from American University, her master's degree in psychology from the New School for Social Research, and her Ed.D. degree in health psychology from Temple University. She is also certified in nutrition through American Health Science University and the National Institute of Nutrition Education.
Dr. Goertzel has been in private practice since 1989, specializing in clinical health psychology and behavioral medicine for individuals, families, and groups. She has worked extensively with children and adults with cancer and has completed professional training with ECAP, a program for exceptional cancer patients founded by Bernie Siegel, MD. She also studied with Lawrence LeShan, Ph.D., a researcher and clinical expert in psychotherapy for patients with cancer. Her doctoral dissertation focused on anxiety and self-esteem among pediatric and adolescent cancer patients and was published in Psychological Reports in May of 1991.
For several years Dr. Goertzel worked as psychological program coordinator servicing primarily African-American children, adolescents and adults. Her special areas of expertise include relationships, anger and stress management, depression, hypnotherapy, and anxiety. Her professional affiliations include membership in the American Psychological Association, the Association for Play Therapy, and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She is a national board member of the Society of Certified Nutritionists and past president of the Delaware Valley Association of Humanistic Psychology.
