2025 HPV Elimination Leading Progress Statewide (HELPS) Annual Summit
Join Lakeland Regional Health and Moffitt Cancer Center for an event dedicated to advancing HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening in Florida.
The 2025 HPV Elimination Leading Progress Statewide (HELPS) Annual Summit is a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals, policymakers, community leaders, students and advocates to come together and collaborate on public health initiatives.
Summit Objectives
- Discuss Current Changes, Trends, and Data in HPV Vaccination and Cervical Cancer Screening in Florida
- Identify Opportunities to Reduce Barriers and Challenges in HPV Vaccination Initiation and Screening
- Outline Current Initiatives Implemented to Support the Elimination of HPV-Related Cancers
- Strategize the Application of Evidence-Based Practices in Various Settings to Increase HPV-Related Cancer Prevention Methods
Why Attend?
- Network with experts and peers in the field of HPV prevention and cancer screening.
- Engage in meaningful discussions designed to inspire and educate.
- Discover practical solutions and strategies to help eliminate HPV-related cancers in your community.
- Earn Continuing Medical Education (CME) and Continuing Education (CE) credits.
Additional Event Information:
- Meals - Breakfast and lunch will be served.
Ready to sign up?
2025 HELPS Planning Committee Members
Lauren Springfield
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Lauren Springfield is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications. Currently serving as the Director of Community Health for Lakeland Regional Health, Lauren plays a vital role in the organization's community outreach and education efforts. Prior to her current role, Lauren dedicated approximately 7 years as the Goodwill Ambassador for the The Republic of The Gambia. During this time, she focused primarily on developing and implementing programs to empower women and children, making a significant impact on their lives.
Samantha Thompson
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Samantha Thompson has been a registered nurse since 1998. She earned her ASN from Polk Community College, then obtained her BSN from the University of South Florida. She earned her MSN from the University of Phoenix with a focus in nursing education. Her bedside nursing experience includes time working for Lakeland Regional and South Florida Baptist as well as for home health. Her nursing education experience includes Polk County School Board at Lake Gibson High School as the Lead Teacher for the Academy of Health, Hillsborough Community College as the program designer and student advisor for the Medical Billing and Coding program, and Keiser University College of Nursing. She has worked at Keiser University since January of 2021 and has served as the Director of Nursing Programs for the Lakeland campus since March of 2022.
Jennifer
Kue, PhD
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Jennifer Kue, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Global Partnership and Engagement in the College of Nursing at the University of South Florida. Dr. Kue has over 20 years of experience working with refugees, immigrants, and medically underserved populations. Her research focus and expertise are in community health promotion, cancer control and prevention, health equity, community-engaged research, and refugee and immigrant health. Dr. Kue's research applies the principles of community-engagement to understanding and addressing cancer health disparities. She has substantial experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research as well as health program planning and evaluation. Her research interests also focus on global health issues, specifically cervical cancer prevention in low-resource countries. Dr. Kue received her PhD in Public Health from Oregon State University and her master's degree in Anthropology from San Diego State University.
Tammy Semelsberger, MBA, CPHQ
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Tammy Semelsberger, MBA, CPHQ, the Senior Director Cancer Centers, joined the American Cancer Society working with hospital systems for the Southeast Region in January 2015. As a Senior Director Cancer Centers, Tammy manages a team of six specialized Associate Directors in Florida and Georgia. She and her team provide quality improvement, prevention and early detection, and patient programs to impact the entire cancer care continuum. Through engagement with health systems and communities, their work provides opportunities to impact health disparities and cancer outcomes.
Tammy’s background includes managing educational and healthcare programs in both university and hospital settings. Tammy has a bachelor’s degree in political science, master’s in business administration (MBA), and is a certified professional in healthcare quality (CPHQ). Outside of work, she enjoys playing tennis, trail running and spending time with her son, Grayson.
Michelle
Stemler
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Michelle Stemler is the Associate Director of Cancer Center Partnerships for the Tampa Bay and Orlando areas at the American Cancer Society. With over 10 years of experience, Michelle has held various roles across development and access to care solutions, equipping her with a deep understanding of the challenges cancer patients face. She is especially passionate about ensuring those in need have access to essential care and support.
Throughout her career, Michelle has been dedicated to improving patient outcomes by facilitating access to critical ACS programs and services, such as transportation and lodging for patients in need. She has also worked closely with volunteers to enhance patient programs, organizing support services and educational initiatives to empower individuals impacted by cancer.
Georgiana Rampersaud-Malaykhan B.S.N., M.S.
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Georgiana Rampersaud-Malaykhan B.S.N., M.S. graduated from Long Island University in New York with a bachelor’s in science in Nursing. She then went on to pursue her graduate degree at California College for Health Sciences and completed a Master of Science in Health Services with a Concentration in Wellness Promotion. Georgiana began her career working at New York Hospital Cornell working in the NICU. She decided to extend her nursing career to working in Public Health for the City of New York. Georgiana has almost 20 years working in Women’s Health specializing in Maternal Child and Birth Education. She has also worked in Palliative Care and Geriatric Care throughout her nursing career. She currently works at Osceola Community Health Services in Quality Management, Patient Care Service, and Case Management specializing in community outreach, women's health, breast cancer, and cervical cancer screenings. She is a part of the HELPS Planning Committee Moffitt Cancer Center.
Jason Mendelsohn
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Jason Mendelsohn is co-founder and President of Ashar Group, LLC, a privately held, nationally licensed firm specializing in the secondary market for life insurance. His firm is considered experts in both life insurance policy valuations and life settlements. Jason is both life and securities licensed.
Jason is also a stage 4 HPV-related oral cancer survivor and serves as the co-chair for the Patient Education Committee for the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance. Jason was first diagnosed back in May 2014 and shortly thereafter had a radical tonsillectomy, neck dissection (42 lymph nodes removed from his neck) followed by seven weeks of chemo, radiation and a feeding tube. Jason made the decision to share his cancer story publicly so that others could learn about HPV-related oral cancer, oral cancer screenings, including the HPV vaccine. He also created a website, www.SupermanHPV.com which launched on September 1, 2017. Jason created the site to inspire, educate and encourage others diagnosed with HPV-related oral cancer.
Jason is passionate about oral cancer awareness and hopes to eliminate HPV-related oral cancer for future generations. When Jason was first diagnosed, he made videos to his kids that went something like this, “One day you are going to get married, I am not going to be there, this is what is the most important.” He is fueled to educate parents about the HPV vaccine and about oral cancer screenings so that one day no parent will ever have to make a video similar to the one he made for his kids back in 2014.
Jason also serves on the board of the HPV Cancers Alliance and the Jewish Pavilion of Central Florida. Jason and his wife, Ronni, have been married for 28 years and have three children: 23-year-old son and daughter (twins) and an 17-year old son.
Tiffany Grubbs, B.S., R.T.(T)
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Tiffany Grubbs, B.S., R.T.(T) is a passionate Florida native dedicated to educating communities worldwide about cancer prevention. As a Primary Care and Pediatrics Operations Manager at Lakeland Regional Health, Tiffany brings her expertise and dedication to improving patient care. With a decade of experience at LRHPG Hollis Cancer Center, she has touched countless lives. Beyond her local impact, Tiffany serves as the COO of Global Health Impact, Inc., where she creates transformative medical education opportunities for students in underserved communities around the globe.
Jennifer Singleton, RN
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Jen Singleton, RN, is a dedicated healthcare professional with extensive nursing experience. She graduated from Polk State College with her Associate Degree in Nursing, obtaining her RN in 2016 after earning her LPN credentials from Traviss Technical College in 2011. With over thirteen years of service at Central Florida Health Care, Jen has made a significant impact in her field. She began as a staff nurse and most recently worked as the Director of Nursing for six years. In October 2024 to transitioned to the Director of Quality Improvement. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, cruising the seas, and fishing with her husband, cherishing the moments they spend together.