Thomas K. Weber, MD, FACS

Thomas K. Weber MD, FACS | President

Dr. Weber is Professor of Surgery at the State University of New York at Downstate and Chief of Surgery at the Department of Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn Campus. 

He is the current Chair of the National Colorectal Cancer Round Table, a recent past President of the Collaborative Group of the Americas on Inherited Colorectal Cancer (CGA-ICC), member of InSiGHT; the International Society for the Study of Hereditary Gastrointestinal Tumors and co-chair of the NYC Health Department sponsored City Wide Colorectal Cancer Control Coalition (“C5”).

Dr. Weber has published extensively on hereditary colorectal cancer and is a frequent invited speaker on that subject at national and international meetings.  He has recently joined the Advisory Board of the Human Variome Project, a global effort to study the contribution of genetic variation to human disease including cancer. 

Dr. Weber earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from University College and University College Hospital Medical School at the University of London in the United Kingdom.

Richard E. Schneyer, Esq.

Richard E. Schneyer, Esq. | Secretary

For the past thirty years, Richard E. Schneyer has focused his practice in two basic areas of the law. First, he represents individuals in tax matters, estate planning, wealth preservation, probate proceedings, administration of trusts and estates, accounting proceedings and resolution of family disputes. Second, he represents closely held business organizations and their owners.

His experience includes formulating estate plans for individuals that include wills, trusts, gifts, marital agreements, and family limited partnerships. He also advises individuals and corporate fiduciaries in estate and gift tax proceedings and, in particular, defending the valuation of closely held business interests and works of art. Richard has served as an executor and trustee for his clients, and is president of a private charitable foundation.

In representing closely held businesses, his experience includes the structuring and negotiation of business succession plans, buy-sell agreements, employment contracts, retirement arrangements, asset and stock purchase agreements, financing arrangements, and real estate matters.

Michael Redmond

Michael Redmond | Treasurer

Michael has been a colon cancer advocate since his mother, Patricia Redmond, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in 2007. A few months after Patricia passed away in 2008 Michael and his sister, Lauren Rafferty, organized Team Day at the Bay and participated in the sixth annual Colon Cancer Challenge in March 2009. They were the top fundraising team in 2009 and 2010. Michael has been increasingly involved with the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation ever since, now serving as Treasurer on the Board of Directors.

Michael received his Bachelor's degree from Binghamton University in 1997. He is currently Manager of Customer Service for McGraw Communications, Inc. He resides in Floral Park, NY with his wife Nancy and daughters Ryann and Riley.

Lisa Hoffman, MA

Lisa Hoffman, MA

Lisa is an exercise physiologist and Founder and President of Solo Fitness & Wellness. She has more than 20 years of experience in management, program development and strategic planning in the health & wellness industry. Her company, Solo Fitness & Wellness, specializes in engaging individuals to participate in physical activity as primary prevention and therapeutic wellness during health challenges. In particular, the soloHealing program highlights therapeutic fitness & wellness programs for those diagnosed with cancer. This was highlighted in her second book, The Healing Power of Movement: How to Benefit from Physical Activity During Your Cancer Treatment, which focuses on the importance of physical activity during cancer treatment.

Lisa holds a Bachelors Degree in Modern Dance from SUNY at Brockport and was a professional dancer in New York City for over 5 years. She earned her Master’s Degree at Columbia University in Exercise Physiology, and is certified as a Cancer Exercise Specialist by the American College of Sports Medicine and American Cancer Society.

Robin Nureck-Bramswig

Robin Nureck-Bramswig

Robin has been a volunteer for the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation since meeting Dr. Weber shortly after its inception. In support of her sister Pamela's inspiring fight against colon cancer, Team Pammy was formed for the Colon Cancer Challenge and continues to raise funds and reach out to family, friends and others to promote the importance of awareness and early detection each year.

Robin is a 35-year veteran of the apparel industry, both in retail and manufacturing. She has recently left her full time career to begin a consulting business and allow her time to pursue other interests, specifically getting more involved with the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation.

Robin lives with her husband Bill Bramswig (who also volunteers as a Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation photographer), in Chappaqua, NY.

Christina Puglisi

Christina Puglisi

In 2006, Christina's mother, Linda, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer.  Watching her mother's strength over the course of her illness inspired Christina to form the RumpRunners Team for the annual Colon Cancer Challenge in 2009. Just a few months after completing her first Remembrance and Prevention Walk, Christina's mother lost her battle with colon cancer in December 2009.  More determined than ever, Christina became the top individual fundraiser in 2010 and continues to increase her involvement with the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation. Her motivation is the comfort and support her mother received during her illness because of their involvement with the Challenge. Christina's hope is to get more people involved as each year passes in order to create awareness at an earlier age and prevent colon cancer before it ever becomes an issue.

Christina received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating from Maryland, Christina began her career as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley. She recently made the decision to pursue a career in health communications and is currently working in Marketing at The American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits. Christina lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Karen Smith-Hagman, RN, MSN

Karen Smith-Hagman, RN, MSN

Ms. Smith-Hagman is Vice President of Medical Management for EmblemHealth in New York. With over 25 years experience in the health care industry, she has an extensive background in health plan operations, call center management, and health policy planning, programming, implementation and product development.

At EmblemHealth, she is responsible for developing health and wellness, prevention, case management and disease management initiatives. She also spearheads EmblemHealth’s annual colon cancer awareness campaign, including sponsorship of the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation since its inception.

Ms. Smith-Hagman has served in various senior-level capacities for Magellan Behavioral Health, Health Net, Integra, Inc., and Managed Health Network, Inc.