Foundation Board

Raul E. Storey, MD – Co-Chair

As a board-certified Medical Oncologist, Raul E. Storey, MD provides cancer care to patients at the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) clinical locations in Vero Beach/Sebastian. He is beloved by his patients for his tireless dedication to enhancing the quality of life for those with cancer. Since joining FCS, he has actively supported the Foundation’s mission to assist adult cancer patients across Florida in need of financial support for essential, non-medical expenses. Due to the generosity of the FCS physicians in covering all overhead expenses for the Foundation, 100% of donations received go directly toward patient grants.

Dr. Storey received his medical degree from Universidad De Carabobo (UC) in Valencia, Venezuela and completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University. During his residency and fellowship training in Oncology/Hematology at the University of Louisville, James G. Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, KY, he gained experience with the MD Anderson Cancer Center Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Department. At the start of his career, he served as the research project coordinator for an oncology group in Houston, TX. He has been published in numerous prestigious publications including the Journal of Oncology and Medical Oncology, and he has presented at conferences in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Storey is driven by his personal mission to enhance the experience of cancer treatment. While being focused on creating an impact on the world, he is equally energized by connecting deeply with humans. He feels strongly that the cancer journey experience can be massively improved by connecting mind, body, and soul – what he refers to as “beautiful healing”. To that goal, he has created the “Healing Arts Medicine” program (https://www.healingartsmedicine.com/our-story-1), that integrates with cancer treatment for expression through liberal arts. Creating a safe space for patients to express their emotions, learn new coping strategies, manage anxiety/depression, decrease pain, and positively change the overall Cancer experience. In parallel, the creation of “Healing Arts Hub” https://healingartshub.com, a platform for a series of over 100 virtual arts programs and experiences of interest to patients, caregivers, staff, and the public.

Cancer has seen significant transformative changes in terms of treatment approach and outcomes in the last decade. Raul is dedicated to advancing the search for a cure by facilitating and overseeing participation in research clinical trials. His impact is again realized through community organizations such as FCS Foundation, We Care Program, Men Wear Pink and Music Angels. He was nominated for Man of The Year 2019 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Dr. Storey-Rojas is a sports enthusiast and enjoys running, paddle surfing and polo, as well as traveling and playing guitar.

Michael Diaz, MD – Co-Chair

Dr. Michael Diaz joined Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) in 2011. Dr. Diaz is a current member and Co-Chair of the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation Board of Directors, which provides non-medical financial assistance to qualified cancer patients in Florida. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors and as the Immediate Past President for the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) as well as the FLASCO Director of Patient Advocacy. Dr. Diaz provides leadership on the Board of Directors for Community Oncology Alliance (COA) as Past President, serving on the Government Affairs and Policy Committee working to champion Medical Oncology Health Care Reform and on the Biosimilars Committee. Dr. Diaz has participated in numerous medical missions to Kingston, Jamaica.

Cory J. Person, Esq. – Secretary

Cory J. Person serves as in-house staff litigation counsel for a national financial and insurance services association, representing his client and its members in insurance and tort related litigation. Prior to his current role, Cory was a partner with a national insurance defense litigation firm, where his practice focused on the defense of claims in the areas of tort and catastrophic loss, labor & employment, and commercial litigation throughout Florida.

Cory is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where he served as president of the UNC Trial Team and UNC Trial Law Academy. Mr. Person also served as Managing Editor for the UNC School of Law First Amendment Law Review and was awarded the Gressman-Pollittt award for excellence in Oral Advocacy.

Cory is a past president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and the George Edgecomb Bar Association, the largest African-American voluntary Bar Association in the Tampa Bay area. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the International Association of Defense Counsel, a select invitation only organization for defense lawyers and corporate counsel.

Prior to law school, Mr. Person served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Among the awards Mr. Person received for his service are the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

J. Thomas Uhler – Treasurer

J. Thomas Uhler is a founding principal of Uhler Vertich White Advisors, an independent firm specializing in comprehensive estate, financial, retirement and investment planning for successful families, and a forty-year veteran of the financial services profession. Uhler is a survivor of both cancer and heart disease. Tom and his wife Linda chaired the 2004 American Heart Association Lee County Heart Ball and co-chaired the 2005 Heart Ball. Uhler was chosen as Hero of the Year 2013 by the Fort Myers News-Press and was nominated in 2014 as a national finalist for the Community Leadership Awards by the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation.

He has served the United Way of Lee County as board chair, 2011-2012 campaign chair, and 2016-17 campaign co-chair. Uhler serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation and serves as board chair of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. He is an Eagle Scout and a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association. Uhler is proud to have been chosen as a Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Lee County Business Hall of Fame Laureate in 2010. A resident of Sanibel Island since 1977, Uhler is a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Sanibel-Captiva Islands. He was chosen as the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2011. Uhler is a graduate of Susquehanna University in his native Pennsylvania, with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences.

Lynn Cowdright – Volunteer Liaison

Retired after 43 years as a physical therapist, Lynn worked in a variety of physical therapy disciplines starting with the VA Hospital System for wounded service members and veterans during the Vietnam conflict. She provided home health in Wisconsin, California and Illinois before moving to Delaware, where she worked in Pediatric and Newborn Intensive Care Units and was the physical therapy coordinator for 30 physical therapists providing school-based therapy from pre-K through high school. Prior to moving to Florida in 2004, Lynn worked at an oncology home health company where she developed a company-wide Cancer Related Fatigue program. For the last six years, Lynn has enjoyed being a patient support volunteer with the FCS Foundation. She knows the important role that volunteers play and, as our Volunteer Liaison Board Member, Lynn will be able to provide insight into the strategic growth of our volunteer program.

Jill M. DeSimone – Board Member

As a senior pharmaceutical executive, Jill DeSimone has built a reputation for leading large-scale global business transformations. Jill is also known for her commitment to developing talent, which has been a focus throughout her career. She has leveraged her 40 years of expertise as a transformational leader to drive organizations forward by establishing excellence in patient-centric operations, igniting profitable, scalable growth and enabling agility in complex regulatory environments and dynamic, competitive markets. Prior to her retirement in 2022, Jill was President, U.S. Oncology at Merck, where she led the launch of the U.S. Oncology business, including Keytruda.

With considerable experience in the non-profit sector, Jill is passionate about building innovative, high-performing organizations that drive patient and customer impact. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Northeastern University and completed a fellowship with The Wharton School. Prior to joining the FCS Foundation Board, she sat on the boards of the American Lung Association – New Jersey Chapter and Dress for Success; she also served as Board Advisor for the Children’s Health Fund.

In addition to the FCS Foundation board, Jill is now serving on the following boards:

Praxis Precision Medicine

a clinical stage company focused on development of therapies for the central nervous system

Affini-T Therapeutics

an immune oncology cell therapy company

Oncternal Therapeutics

a clinical stage oncology company

iTeos Therapeutics

Swim Across America

a nonprofit focusing on cancer research

Cherylle Hayes, MD – Board Member

A Board-certified radiation oncologist with over 20 years’ experience, Dr. Cherylle Hayes is the medical director at North Florida Regional Medical Center, where she was instrumental in the development of a cancer program. She established the first Cyberknife radiosurgery program in North Central Florida and built a physician team with a wide range of oncologic expertise. She has also served as assistant professor at the University of Florida. Dr. Hayes holds undergraduate degrees in nuclear medicine technology and health physics. She went on to earn her medical degree at Medical College of Georgia, where she completed her residency in radiation oncology. She has specialized interest in breast and gynecologic cancer treatment, cancer survivorship and quality-of-life issues. As a member of the radiation oncology executive committee at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, she worked with physicians around the country to develop clinical pathways for the delivery of radiation oncology. Dr. Hayes has served on the boards of many community organizations in Central Florida, including the American Cancer Society, the Advisory Board of Gainesville Health and Fitness and the University of Florida Performing Arts. She is active in numerous local and national professional societies.

Maen Hussein, MD – Immediate Past Chair

Board-certified in Medical Oncology/Hematology, Maen Hussein, MD practices at the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) clinical locations in the Villages Cancer Center/Brownwood. Dr. Hussein currently serves as a board member of the Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation Board and is Immediate Past Chair of the Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Florida Association of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO).

After completing his Residency at Brown University at Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Dr. Hussein was awarded his Fellowship in Medical Oncology at St. Louis University. In addition to his medical practice, he has participated in numerous clinical trials and was named the Principal Investigator on a recent lung cancer trial conducted through Florida Cancer Specialists and Sarah Cannon, one of the leading community-based clinical trial organizations in the US.

In 2010, he was the recipient of the Leesburg Regional Medical Center Outstanding Achievement Award, Leesburg Regional Medical Center Foundation Hope in Healing Humanitarian Award in 2014 and was named Physician of the Quarter Award at Florida Hospital Waterman. In his spare time, Dr. Hussein enjoys playing recreational soccer, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Andrew Menendez – Board Member

Andrew is an Audit Partner in the Tampa, Florida office of Ernst & Young, LLP specializing exclusively in the Health Science and Wellness sector. Andrew has over 15 years of experience serving a variety of health care organizations, including not-for-profit multi-hospital health systems, academic medical centers, public issuers, high-growth entrepreneurial entities and pharmaceutical entities. Andrew regularly attends recurring sector trainings, including those related to compliance audits, Uniform Guidance, not-for-profit provider care and advanced accounting and auditing for health care entities. Andrew is a graduate of the University of South Florida with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting and is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Florida.

Andrew is passionate about community involvement, including sitting on the University of South Florida Accounting Circle Board of Directors and the University of South Florida Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy Advisory Council. Prior to joining the board of the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, Andrew had a particular interest in working with organizations that assist families in their fight with cancer after having experienced the same when his younger brother went through a similar journey at a very young age.

Tim O’Donohue – Board Member

Tim is the owner of Castle Gate Farm, LLC, the Ocala region’s premiere equine center featuring thoroughbred breeding, layups and equestrian show jumping facility. The O’Donohue family were the gracious hosts for the FCS Foundation’s Farm to Table events held in January 2020 and April 2024, which collectively generated over $460,000 in support of adult cancer patients in need of financial assistance. The New England natives made their first move for sunshine and warmer days to Florida in 2012.

Tim is president of New Age Software Services Corp., based in Hampstead, NH, which provides a range of information technology and software engineering services. After receiving his undergraduate degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Lowell, Tim worked as an account manager supporting financial services clients in New England. Tim previously served on the Landmark Benefits INC Board of Directors that ran the largest fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire.

John Sodeika – Patient Liaison

Originally from Chicago, John moved to St. Petersburg after receiving his Masters in Engineering Management from the University of South Florida in 1996. He moved to Naples in 2005, where he now works as a Senior Director for Arthrex, the world leader in instruments and implants for Sports Medicine. In 2019, John was diagnosed with Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer that had spread to the liver and lymph system. Thanks to the outstanding care of Florida Cancer Specialists physicians Dr. Mark Rubin and Dr. Judy Wang, John’s cancer is now under control and he was able to stop treatment in November of 2020. John became aware of the Foundation while undergoing treatment and he says he was particularly impressed by the compassionate support from the FCS Foundation volunteers. As Patient Liaison Board Member, John will provide an important perspective to guide the Foundation.