Leadership

Nancy Litterman Howe, MS, CES
PhD Program, Arizona State University
Edson College of Nursing & Health Innovation
Nancy.Howe@ASU.edu

Donald W. Northfelt, MD
Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Arizona

Nancy Litterman Howe, MS, CES

Founder of Strong Cancer Recovery, a non-profit 501(c)(3)
Peer Reviewer, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, US Dept. of Defense, 2021-2023.
Professional Advisory Board, Cancer Support Community of Arizona (CSCAZ.org) 2020.
Editorial Board, Conquer Magazine, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Nurse Navigators (AONN+), 2020.
Elevate Ambassador, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), 2020-2021.
Inaugural Recipient, Edson College Innovation Leadership Fund Award, 2019.

I was a daily exerciser and I ate a healthful diet, but in 1997, I was diagnosed with cancer anyway. I experienced first-hand the benefits of physical activity during treatment and beyond. That was my “Aha!” moment. I left my corporate career, earned my masters at Arizona State University studying exercise and wellness in 2005, and joined the staff of University of Arizona cancer researchers. In 2013, I earned my Cancer Exercise Specialist certification from the University of Northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute, and founded Strong Cancer Recovery in 2015. In 2017, I entered the PhD program at ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.

Donald W. Northfelt, MD
Associate Medical Director, Breast Clinic, Mayo Clinic in Arizona
Medical Advisory Board Chair, Strong Cancer Recovery

From 2013- 2017, oncologist Donald Northfelt discussed with his Mayo Clinic patients the importance of physical activity during treatment and beyond, and referred them to me for exercise counseling. During this time, 153 survivors (74% of women who received a referral from Northfelt) attended their one-time, free, exercise counseling appointment with me.

Our counseling arrangement ended in March 2017 when I entered the PhD program at Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Dr. Northfelt and I continue to collaborate on joint ASU/Mayo Clinic research projects related to exercise and cancer rehabilitation, and he is a member of my ASU PhD Committee.