Ilanit & Dr. Stuart Samuels, Guests of Honor
Stuart and Ilanit live in Hollywood Florida with their 3 children, Saphira (19, Barnard College), Leila (16, Katz Yeshiva High School 10th grade), and Rami (13, Brauser Maimonides Academy, 7th grade).
Stuart Samuels MD,PhD is an Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is also the Associate Director of Clinical Operations for the department of radiation oncology and is the Co-Director of the Head and Neck site disease group at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. He specializes in the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer and Breast Cancer.
Stuart’s 2 older sisters, Dr. Rana Samuels-Ofran, PHD and Dr. Beth Samuels PhD, both died of BRCA related cancers.
Ilanit Samuels PA-C, MCMS is a board-certified physician assistant who was born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida. She received a Master’s Degree in Clinical Medical Science and is a licensed physician assistant by the Florida Department of Health and certified by the National Commission of Physician Assistants.
In November of 2021, Ilanit opened her own cosmetic practice, Illy Aesthetics. With over 13 years of experience as an injector, Ilanit is an expert in toxin and filler injections, skin case, lasers and skin tightening procedures. She serves as a speaker & trainer for the top companies in the industry, such as Allergan and Galderma. Ilanit is regarded as a key opinion leader in cosmetic medicine and serves on many industry advisory boards.
Ilanit has been involved with many Sharsheret events where she presented as a guest speaker and offered free laser scar treatments to all breast cancer patients post surgery.
Stuart has been involved in Sharsheret in a variety of capacities including the Florida Community Advisory Committee and hosting a webinar on the management of breast cancer during COVID.
“As someone who interacts with cancer patients every day, I can testify that Sharsheret is an indispensable organization. Both professionally and personally, I am grateful for all Sharsheret does to support cancer patients. Ilanit and I accepted this honor in memory of my sisters.”
Tzippi & Adam Rosen, Volunteer Recognition
Tzippi Rosen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is the Special Needs Community Liaison for Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County and the Special Needs Outreach Coordinator for Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services (“JFS”). Prior to that, she served as the Director of Yachad of South Florida for eleven years. Tzippi is well known for her deep commitment to the special needs community in South Florida. Her passion for her work was why JFS hired her to help launch their special needs department some seven years ago and this department has grown tremendously during her tenure there.
Adam Rosen is an investor relations consultant to a number of publicly traded companies and has run his own boutique consultancy for 20 years. Prior to that, Adam was a securities trial attorney in New York, as well as the senior trial attorney for the New York City Corporation Counsel.
After moving from Forest Hills, NY to Boynton Beach, FL in 2004, Tzippi and Adam were co-founders of the first-ever mainstream Ashkenazi synagogue in Boynton Beach, which has grown from 17 original families to a membership of over 300. Adam was also responsible for BJ’s bakeries throughout Florida going kosher under the Kaf-K beginning in 2015. The Rosens have been extensively involved in South Florida’s Jewish community and began their association with Sharsheret approximately ten years ago. Tzippi has co-led Sharsheret’s annual “Pies for Prevention” fundraiser for several years. Adam, an avid marathon runner, has raised money for Sharsheret on several occasions by getting sponsors for his marathons.
Tzippi and Adam are the proud parents of Rebecca (a senior at the University of Maryland), Michael (a sophomore at the University of Maryland) and Jennifer (11th grade at Katz Yeshiva High School of South Florida).
Deedee Bitran, Featured Speaker
Deedee Bitran shares her personal experience with the BRCA gene as a member of Sharsheret’s Peer Support Network. The Peer Support Network connects women who are newly diagnosed or at high risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer with other women who share similar diagnoses and experiences. Deedee is a civil litigator and has authored blog posts for Sharsheret on her journey to motherhood with the BRCA gene including posts on IVF to prevent passing on the BRCA gene, pregnancy after loss, and surrogacy. Deedee and her husband, Dr. Mitchell Bitran reside in Miami Beach and are the proud parents of Ellie and Mauricio.