Our staff and consultants have dedicated expertise in helping cancer patients live well through cancer treatment and beyond. They include Small Stones aesthetic wellness team members, as well as consultants specializing in medical hair loss and wig guidance, cosmetology, esthetics, therapeutic massage, yoga and integrative therapies like Reiki, acupuncture, cranial sacral therapy and energy work.
Small Stones Aesthetic Wellness Team
Kristy Lavann
Aesthetic Wellness Coordinator
Drexel Town Square Health Center
Moorland Reserve Health Center
Kristy began her health and wellness career as a state and nationally certified massage therapist with her own private massage therapy practice. Her background and training includes massage, craniosacral therapy, hot stone massage, Reiki and aromatherapy.
Kristy re-joins Small Stones Wellness Center after working as an aesthetic wellness coordinator at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Moorland Reserve Health Center locations. She returns with the additional experience of coordinating wellness services and opening onsite workplace clinics for two major employers in the Milwaukee area.
She is a Wellcoaches® certified health and wellness coach and shares her passion for women’s wellness in the community by leading women’s wellness circles and facilitating retreats. Her background and experience help Kristy create a variety of classes and opportunities to assist individuals in finding peace and healing on their journey to overall wellness. Her passion for wellness helps her motivate others to lead a healthy lifestyle. “I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Small Stones. It is a blessing and an honor for me to walk with patients and their families on their healing journeys.”
Luanne Murray
Aesthetic Wellness Coordinator
Community Memorial Hospital
Kraemer Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital
When human beings experience serious life stressors like that of a cancer diagnosis, it is not uncommon for their lives to take a detour for a period of time. Luanne’s great passion is to listen to people who are going through cancer treatment and to connect them with programs, products and resources that will help get them back on track to health and wellness. She is aware that no single program or product is the right one for every individual, and she has learned from her past training and experiences that providing several avenues of wellness will assist as many patients and caregivers as possible in reaching their full mental, physical and spiritual wellness potential.
Luanne graduated from UW-Lacrosse with a degree in recreation management. She received her license in massage therapy and ran her own massage therapy business at a local chiropractic office. She wanted to do more to help motivate those going through trying times, which brought her to the Small Stones Wellness Center in August 2015. “I truly feel honored and blessed to be a part of so many wonderful people’s lives by helping them through their journey to wellness.”
Maggie Lausten
Aesthetic Wellness Team Lead
Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital
Since 2011 Maggie has been working at the Small Stones Wellness Center at Froedtert Hospital. She spends a lot of her time helping patients choose headwear and learning to tie scarves. She also provides help with makeup and skincare concerns for patients receiving cancer treatment. Since she began at the Small Stones Wellness Center, she has worked to incorporate spa services and classes focused on overall wellness for patients, their families and the community. “I feel lucky to say I enjoy coming to work every day. Being a positive part of such a difficult time in so many people’s lives means a lot to me, and I truly believe that what we provide at Small Stones makes a difference in the healing process.”
Maggie has a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Maggie began her career in the salon and spa industry at Anton’s Salon and Spa, where she became the general manager. She is well-educated on skin care, make-up, hair care, nail care and body care products. She spent a number of years providing one-on-one personal training and instructing group exercise classes. Maggie has enjoy working with clients of all different fitness levels but often had people with special health concerns referred to her. “I enjoyed helping people through the major hurdles and watching them find success after incorporating exercise in their lives.”
Heather Kolvenbach
Aesthetic Wellness Assistant
Moorland Reserve Small Stones
When a diagnosis can change your life in an instant, it is important to have a team around you that can anticipate and support your healing needs. Heather has been in the healthcare field since 2009, and understands the foundations of healing include empathy, empowerment and creating a community; it is important to know you are never alone in your journey. Patients and caregivers alike deserve individualized care and attention, and Heather enjoys helping navigate the services, resources and products that will compliment your treatment & needs. "It is a unique and exciting position to be in – I feel fortunate to help make a difference during a challenging time for families."
Heather graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Family & Health Studies, continued biomedical coursework post-baccalaureate, and is a registered yoga instructor. She is a firm believer that the connection to the physical and mental body helps strengthen us from the inside-out. Prior to Small Stones, Heather operated a private wellness center in the area, coordinating services, creating resources, and educating the community on wellness initiatives & personal growth. "To help facilitate a small path in the big journey of cancer warriors is an honor & privilege."
Consultants
Hair, Wigs, Skin Care
Barb Justman
Hair and Wig Consultant, Cosmetologist
Kraemer Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital
A graduate of Adele Ballou Cosmetology School in Milwaukee, Barb has 50 years of experience in cosmetology. She is an area trainer and presenter for the Look Good Feel Better Program. Barb is also a two-time cancer survivor, diagnosed with colon cancer in 1998 and breast cancer in 2009. Her personal experience with cancer allows Barb to personally connect with patients.
Julie McCormick
Hair and Wig Consultant, Clinical Cosmetologist
Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital
Moorland Reserve Health Center
Drexel Town Square Health Center
Julie brings over 26 years of cosmetology experience to Small Stones. She received training for clinical cosmetology at the Johns Hopkins Image Recovery Center in Baltimore. She then joined Lancaster General Health's Image Recovery Center in Pennsylvania where she worked closely with cancer patients experiencing hair loss, as well as changes in their skin and nails. Having helped several close family members through their cancer journeys, Julie brings a deep level of understanding and compassion to her work.
Jennifer Schultz
Licensed Esthetician
Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital
Moorland Reserve Health Center
Kraemer Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital
Jennifer has 15 years of experience as a licensed esthetician. She began offering her services to the Small Stones Wellness Center in 2016 and focuses on providing relaxing and healing skin treatments for cancer patients and their caregivers. Jennifer is certified in oncology esthetics and uses De La Terre, an oncology-focused skin care line made for rejuvenating and hydrating the skin before, during and after treatments. Before joining the Small Stones Wellness Center, she worked as a licensed esthetician at the Kohler Waters Spa for more than 12 years. At Kohler, she specialized in facial treatments including microdermabrasion and chemical peels, as well as body wraps and water treatments. Jennifer was also a licensed esthetics instructor at the Martins College of Cosmetology in Green Bay where she instructed students through the esthetics course and prepared them for taking their state board exams.
Massage and Other Integrative Therapies
Nancy Brittain, LAc, MSOM, CMT
Acupuncturist
Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital
Moorland Reserve Health Center
Nancy's approach to treating cancer patients began in 2003 when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her mother: "I feel confident and at ease treating cancer patients because I can approach them from several perspectives – as a practitioner and as a patient. These experiences have given me so much empathy. I am honored to be a part of the Small Stones Wellness Center."
Nancy’s practice includes therapeutic massage, private yoga instruction and acupuncture. She uses a series of acupuncture points that help the body's natural ability to promote healing. Each treatment is personalized for each patient to ease recovery time, lessen fatigue and increase energy, help release and alleviate pain and speed up recovery time from surgery. Other benefits include help with: nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, changes in taste, poor appetite, night sweats, bowel issues, immunity, peripheral neuropathy, anxiety and depression.
Acupuncture helps to support the body and encourage normal function in those living with cancer. It is recommended by the American Cancer Society to help relieve side effects of therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy and can be easily integrated into a care plan to help reduce treatment toxicity and side effects.
Nancy earned her master’s degree in Oriental medicine from the Midwest College of Oriental Medicine located in Racine, Wis. in 2003, an institution accredited by the State of Wisconsin. It is one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. In addition to her studies at Midwest College, Nancy completed an internship and an advanced course of study at the hospital and outpatient clinics of Guanzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicines in Guanzhou, China. She is also board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
In addition to seeing Small Stones patients, Nancy has a private practice in Wauwatosa where she continues to treat a wide range of patients and age groups. Nancy sees patients on a referral basis.
Lisa Bruesch, LMT, PTA
Licensed Massage Therapist
Kraemer Cancer Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital
Lisa has been a licensed massage therapist since 2003. For the past 10 years, she has focused on oncology patients, as well as offering massage for pre- and post-operative patients, mastectomy post-operative patients and patients needing medical therapeutic massage. She has a background in neuromuscular therapy, craniosacral and myofascial release. Lisa also sees patients at the Froedtert & MCW West Bend Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center for the past 20 years as a licensed physical therapist assistant and a member of the cancer rehabilitation team.
Sue Cirillo
Licensed Massage Therapist
Cinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital
Moorland Reserve Health Center
Sue Cirillo has 15 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She is trained in a variety of massage techniques, including special oncology massage to help support and restore a sense of relaxation and general well-being. Often, a session will include several massage techniques to achieve specific, individualized treatment goals, some of which might include Swedish massage, manual lymphatic drainage, Shiatsu, myofacial release, and/or cranio-sacral therapy. Sue completed her massage training at Milwaukee’s Lakeside School of Massage Therapy in 2002 after receiving an occupational therapist assistant (AAS) degree from MATC.
Carol Heller
Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, Integrated Energy Practitioner and Cranial Sacral Worker
Drexel Town Square Health Center
Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital
Moorland Reserve Health Center
Carol Heller started her energy practice more than 10 years ago. She received her initial Reiki training in 2004 and participates in continuing her education. She is a graduate of the Free Spirit School of Energy and of the Wisconsin School of Massage Therapy. She offers relaxation, therapeutic and lymph massage. Carol is also trained in cranial sacral therapy and holds a CST2 (cranial sacral therapy) certificate. All of these modalities are intended to help bring the body into homeostasis. Carol believes a balanced body equals a balanced and joyful life.
Kathy Mohar
Licensed Massage Therapist
Community Memorial Hospital
Kathy believes that massage is an important complimentary therapy for care providers and cancer patients to reduce pain, relieve stress, reduce anxiety and improve quality of life, as well as encourage an overall sense of well-being. Massage sessions with Kathy include discussing your goals, so she can individualize the massage to best meet your needs. Kathy has trained in Swedish and oncology massage techniques and understands the necessary considerations for things like medical port sensitivity, peripheral neuropathy, sensation loss, nausea and scar tissue. Kathy graduated in 2016 from the Wisconsin School of Massage Therapy in Germantown, Wis. She was treated with both chemotherapy and radiation therapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Kathy also works for an area non-profit organization.
Keri Tennies
Licensed Massage Therapist
Kraemer Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital
“I truly enjoy doing relaxation and therapeutic massage. I am blessed to be able to work at the Small Stones Wellness Center, as it has always been a passion of mine to help others manage their pain and reduce stress by providing oncology massage.”
Keri Tennies attended Blue Sky School of Massage in Grafton Wis., graduating in 1998. Since that time, she has continued her education by learning and practicing oncology massage and reflexology. She worked in several salons and spas prior to working at the Small Stones Wellness Center.
Lisa Zochert
Integrative Certified Aromatherapist, Reiki Master and Mindfulness/Meditation Coach
Community Memorial Hospital
Kraemer Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital
Lisa began her journey into studying complementary medicine techniques more than 20 years ago. She is Integrative Aromatherapy® Certified and is a published author in the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy Journal. Her additional formal studies have included Reiki, traditional Chinese medicine, and mindfulness and meditation training.
Lisa was working full-time as a special education teacher and attending acupuncture school when she developed significant kidney issues and was also diagnosed with breast cancer. During this time, she focused her practices on her own healing and began to share them more with friends. Increasingly, people commented on her positive attitude and encouraged her to share her passion for helping others heal themselves.
Lisa acknowledges the importance of Western medicine in treating many forms of dis-ease; however, she also recognizes that many people desire to take more control of achieving complete health by adding complementary medical therapies. Her own life experience has shown her that this is not only possible, but is powerful and effective for continued health.
Her life goals include teaching others the direct connection between mind/body wellness and using the amazing therapies developed and practiced by the ancients before us. Drawing upon her training and personal experience, she provides support for stress and pain relief, emotional wellbeing and respite from some of the side effects that may occur as a result of necessary medications, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The exceptional care she received from staff while she was a patient at Froedtert & MCW Froedtert Hospital made a huge impact on her. She considers it a gift and an honor to now be included as part of the Froedtert & MCW care team and making a meaningful difference in the lives of other patients and their caregivers.
