Meet Our Staff - Group Facilitators
Not all, but the majority of our facilitators are themselves cancer survivors; if not, they are the loved ones of survivors.  In addition to their professional training, they carry the experience and empathy of ones who have walked the walk.
Pamela Berry, MS

Pam facilitates the Transitions bereavement group for those who have lost a loved one to cancer, as well as the Partners group for partners of men living with prostate cancer.  She has been with Ann’s Place since 1999.

A family relations counselor in the court system by day, Pam says her clients in that job are forced by the courts to face issues in their personal relationships, while her evening volunteer work at Ann’s Place offers her a different view of people coping.  “I am energized by the group.  It reminds me of the positive side of people – how helpful people can be to one another, even when they are going through some tough times themselves.”
Mary Burke, Co-Founder 

Our beloved Co-Founder leads the following groups:
  • Post Graduates for Breast cancer survivors
  • In Common for women with cancer related edema
  • Danbury New Voices for men and women who have had a laryngectomy
  • Coffee & Conversation for senior women
  • Keeping On for people with recurring or chronic cancers.
Mary’s gentle and abiding concern for her clients inspires the entire staff.
Tammy Conley, MSOB

Tammy sought the services of Ann’s Place when she was dealing with her own breast cancer diagnosis.  She found the Women Together support group to be a safe place to work through the roller coaster of her emotions with women who were recently in the same situation. “I found the women in the support group to be a great comfort as well as a source of relevant information about issues I was dealing with.  It gave me a sense of control at a time when I was feeling things were very out of my control.” 
Over time, Tammy became a Bridges volunteer and took over as facilitator of the Women Together support group in February 2008.  Tammy has been a member of New Pond Farm’s staff in varying positions for over 12 years. She’s been a beekeeper since 1998 and a member of the board of the Backyard Beekeepers Association since 2000.  She’s also a member of the Ridgebury Garden Club.
Josephia Chan, RN, C.O.H.N, C.C.N.

Jo is a Certified Occupational Health Nurse who has an extensive background in multi-national pharmaceutical companies and a strong background in hospital intensive care work.  Jo has been assisting with the Danbury New Voices Club, a group for people who have had a Laryngectomy.  Her extensive medical experience enriches the group and contributes to her role as Advisor to this group. Jo is currently an Associate Director of Occupational Health/Wellness at a pharmaceutical firm
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James Coffey, MA

Jim leads our very active monthly Men Together group for men living with prostate cancer on the first Wednesday evenings of the month.  This group is active in continuing education and enjoys bringing in guest speakers. An avid golfer and two time cancer survivor, Jim is retired from a career in education and counseling. He came to Ann’s Place in 2004.
Jean Conover, MA

Jean has served cancer patients at Ann’s Place faithfully since 1996, after her retirement from school counseling.  She has facilitated many groups over the years and currently leads the Daytime support group for mixed diagnoses and provides individual counseling.  Jean has also served as co-chair of the Quilter’s Corner for our Festival of Trees & Traditions since 2003.  Jean does vacation relief for clinical office staff each April.
Cindy Corn

Cindy has an Masters in Social Work from Boston University and has worked in mental health facilities in Massachusetts and New York. After a cancer diagnosis in 2005, Cindy joined a support group at Ann's Place and has been involved there ever since. In 2008, she began facilitating the Parent's Group. 
"Our group is unique at Ann's Place because our members are younger. They are forced to face their future with a cancer diagnosis before they have had a chance to fully actualize the dreams & expectations they had for their lives, and they feel isolated from their contemporaries. We give them a voice to share feelings and ideas with others who understand this. They help one another to navigate their way through their illness."

Esther (Pat) Goldman, MS

Pat came to us in 1999 after retiring from a rewarding career helping children and their families at the Danbury Regional Child Advocacy Center.  She facilitates the Women Together Graduates group for breast cancer survivors, post treatment, an important time in the progression to wellness. Pat notes that women living with breast cancer still have important issues to deal with after their initial treatments have been completed.

We join with the Jewesh Federation, Inc. in honoring Dr. Alvin & Mrs. Pat Goldman for a lifetime of Generosity, Support & Leadership in the Community.
Paula LeFebvre, MS, LMHC

Paula came to Ann’s Place as an Intern while working on her Master’s degree in Counseling, then joined our staff after graduation in 2000.  Paula is a certified Reiki master and schedules Reiki sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays. She does individual counseling and co-facilitates the Caring Group for family members, as well as facilitating other groups as the need arises.
Dorothy McCarty,
Ellen Seidman, MSW

Since November 2001, Ellen has run various groups and training sessions and fills in when the need arises for group coverage due to vacations or illness.  Ellen’s clinical skills, as well as her caring and her humor are very appreciated.
Carol Woodruff, MFT

Carol, a therapist working in the prison system in New York, has been with us since 1996.  She co-facilitates the Caring Group for family members and friends who have a loved one living with cancer.   Carol’s long path to becoming a volunteer at Ann’s Place included living in some exotic places, like China.  Carol and Paula enjoy the synergy that comes from co-leading this vital group.