Our Educational Advisory Council

The Educational Advisory Council provides valuable guidance on emerging topics in the teaching field as well as advice on the shape and design of our breast health curriculum. This Council is comprised of recognized experts in education with affiliations to local school districts and leading colleges.

Lorraine Amato

Lorraine Amato has been with the Plainedge School District as a Health and Physical Education teacher since 2007, when the school began participating in workshops provided by The Maurer Foundation. From 2003 to 2006 she worked as a foundation Program Coordinator, educating thousands of students and adults through the high school and community breast health education programs. She graduated from Hofstra University, obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education and a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. She has worked with elementary students through high school students throughout the district.

Normadeane Armstrong, PhD

Normadeane Armstrong is an Associate professor at Molloy University. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in nursing from Molloy, a certification as a nurse practitioner from SUNY Stony Brook and a PhD in global health from Touro University International. Her academic interests include promoting health education for vulnerable populations, raising awareness of global health issues and providing preventative health care to individuals in developing nations. She has made numerous local, regional, national and international presentations on such topics as immunizations, caregiving, and determinants of health and disability. She has served on Congressman Tim Bishop’s Breast Cancer Advisory Board, the Coalition for Environmental Health and the Suffolk County Medical Reserve Corps.

Denise Baldinger

Denise Baldinger is a graduate of SUNY Cortland where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education. She then pursued a Master’s of Science degree in Health Education at Hofstra University. Denise teaches 9th grade health education and is the Coordinating Chairperson for the Health Department in the Massapequa School District, where she has worked for the past 30 years. She has partnered with the Maurer Foundation’s breast health education program for several years, helping to educate thousands of students about breast health and early detection. Denise was a guest speaker at the Maurer Foundation’s 2017 Pink Diamond Gala where she shared stories of the program’s positive impact on several of her students.

Madeline F. Craig, PhD

Madeline F. Craig is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Education at Molloy University. Her academic interests include technology and learning; strategies for online, blended and face-to-face learning environments; faculty development for online/blended learning design and teaching; and student engagement, interaction and collaboration.

Tammy Fortune

Tammy Fortune is the Co-owner and Director of Camp Wa-Klo for Girls, a residential summer camp where girls are inspired to grow in confidence, character and gain courage from exceptional female role models. Tammy holds a Master’s degree in Education with a focus in Elementary Education from Boston College, as well as a BA in Sociology from the University of Denver. She has served as a middle school math teacher and math specialist, and spent her summers progressing through leadership roles at Camp Wa-Klo.

As the daughter of renowned breast surgeon and The Maurer Foundation founder, Dr. Virginia Maurer, Tammy has been a staunch, lifelong supporter of breast health and has been taught from an early age the value of female leadership. In her spare time, Tammy enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and spending time with her husband, two children, and their dog.

Joan Leondis

Joan Leondis is a two-time breast cancer survivor and together with her family has been a staunch supporter of the foundation for many years. She volunteered for the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program for over 15 years, providing outreach, answering calls and fundraising for the Creative Cups project. Joan and her husband John have three daughters, five grandchildren and reside in Garden City.

Julie Santana

Julie Santana is an Instructional Designer at Adelphi University’s Faculty Center for Professional Excellence. She obtained a Bachelor’s in English and Adolescent Education from Saint Joseph’s University and a Master’s in Educational Technology from Adelphi University. Before transitioning to higher education, Julie served as an English Teacher in Northport-East Northport School District with experience teaching middle and high school English. Julie is actively involved as a volunteer for the NYC Metro Chapter of Makers Making Change, creating accessible technology for individuals with disabilities.

James W. Stewart

Jim Stewart is a graduate of Gettysburg College, where he obtained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education. He then went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Health Education from Adelphi University. He worked as a health educator and coach at East Hampton High School in East Hampton, NY for more than 30 years. He recently retired from his position as the Coordinator of Health and Physical Education, grades 6-12 and the Coordinator of the Mental Health Initiative at East Hampton High School. He is actively involved in many educational initiatives including Sources of Strength, Restorative Justice, and Compassion Without Borders. He enjoys kayaking, photography, camping and anything to do with the ocean and his family.

Emilia Patricia T. Zarco, MD

Emilia Patricia T. Zarco, is a physician with a Master’s Degree in Health Education. She is currently Chair of the Department of Exercise Science, Health Studies, Physical Education and Sport Management and Associate Professor of the School of Education at Adelphi University. Her past work has focused on developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Health Education Programs and materials that focus on Substance Abuse Prevention, HIV/AIDS Prevention, Coordinated School Health Programs and other skills-based Health Education Curriculum, Puberty Education, Population Education and more recently Technology Integration. She has done research studies in the field of substance abuse, adolescent health risk behaviors and psychosocial characteristics, and health program evaluation studies.