From Experience to Discovery: How Nutrition, Research, and Patient Data Are Powering the Next Breakthroughs

Name: From Experience to Discovery: How Nutrition, Research, and Patient Data Are Powering the Next Breakthroughs
Start: 2026-01-29T13:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-29T14:00:00-05:00

Jan 29, 2026

01:00PM - 02:00PM EST

Online Event

Overview

Can what you eat, and the supplements you take, really help change the course of MGUS or Smoldering Multiple Myeloma? What if the answers to which treatments will work best for your myeloma are hidden in your bone marrow biopsy slide? Michelle, a participant in the Nutrivention 2 study, will share her personal journey and why she chose to join this innovative research exploring whether diet and supplements can influence progression to active myeloma. We’ll also hear from Todd Foster, who will highlight other cutting-edge studies and patient surveys underway with leading investigators and walk through Cure Hub, HealthTree’s platform that helps patients find studies, track their health data, and play a direct role in accelerating myeloma research.

Agenda

1:00 PM

Introductions

Cynthia Cahoon, RN

Cindy introduces the agenda of the event and featured speakers Todd Foster and Michelle Berrong

1:05 PM

Presentation

Todd Foster and Michelle Berrong

1:35 PM

Questions and Answers

Audience

Type your questions in the chat and we will answer them!

Speakers & Moderators

Cynthia Cahoon, RN

Cynthia is a newborn ICU nurse by trade that has spent the last six years in the medical device industry educating nurses and doctors about devices that are new to their facility. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, traveling the world with her family, and creating Halloween animatronics for her annual front yard display. She has a passion for life-long learning and enjoys sharing what she learns with the people around her.

Todd Foster

Todd Foster is the Director of Growth & Strategy at HealthTree. He spent 12 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center before joining Jenny Ahlstrom to help launch HealthTree. Todd specializes in improving the patient experience and helping patients understand their options so they can become more informed and active decision-makers with their care teams. Todd is passionate about using technology to make healthcare easier and help patients live better lives while also using the power of patient data to advance research and accelerate the search for cures.

Michelle Berrong

Michelle Berrong lives in Palm Coast, Florida, and has been married to her husband, Robert, for 34 years. Together, they own and operate Atlantic Surf Construction and Roofing, where Michelle manages the accounting and bookkeeping for both the roofing and remodeling divisions. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Michelle moved to Florida at the age of 15. She and Robert later settled in Atlanta, Georgia, before returning to Florida three years ago to be closer to family. In 2021, Michelle was diagnosed with high-risk Smoldering Myeloma. Grounded in her faith and a deep desire to help others, she has participated in volunteer work ranging from Jamaica to the Navajo Nation. Michelle is passionate about using her experience to encourage others facing complex health challenges.