Meet The Team!

Lorien holds a degree in mechanical engineering and is a certified yoga therapist who specializes in working with chronic pain and cancer. She provided yoga therapy for Californian cancer programs, such as Stanford Cancer Supportive Care Program, Kaiser Permanente and Good Samaritan Hospital and developed a thriving program that partnered yoga studios with the nonprofit organization Cancer CAREpoint. In 2018 she co-founded Complementary Cancer Care after a move to Brevard County, Florida, where she continues to serve the cancer community with the Mind-Body program.

Amy holds a master’s degree in Clinical Nurse Education, is an Oncology Certified Nurse and Certified Holistic Cancer Coach as well as a 200-hour certified yoga teacher. She has been a nurse for 31 years and became passionate about oncology nursing 17 years ago, working in many capacities as an oncology nurse including chemotherapy infusion, management, pharmaceutical educator, case management, and most recently Co-Founder of Complementary Cancer Care Inc.  She has worked at Florida Cancer Specialist, The University of Kansas Cancer Center, Cancer Center of Kansas, and Space Coast Cancer Center.  Amy is a member of American Holistic Nurses Association and Oncology Nurses Society. She also is a member of Lighthouse Christian Church. Amy began offering free yoga classes for cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors in 2017; the positive impact of these classes led to building the Complementary Cancer Care nonprofit. Through her “Seeds of Hope” program with Complementary Cancer Care Amy provides free education, navigation, and inspiration services to cancer patients, caregivers, and survivors.

CEO & Founder of DragonPoint, a leading custom software development company in Rockledge, Suzie joined our Board of Directors in 2023.  As an entrepreneur and leader in the community, she brings her managerial and organizational skills to the leadership of our organization.

As a long-time student of Mind-Body practices, Suzie understands the healing value and benefits of the therapeutic complementary services we offer.

As one of our Co-Founders, Lorien has now held every position on our Board of Directors.  Her knowledge of the organization’s history, programs, and services is invaluable and has helped guide us since the organization’s inception.  Both detailed and creative, she is experienced in developing compassionate, thriving programs for cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers in California and Florida.

After 10 years of teaching yoga to people dealing with cancer, Lórien wrote CANCER + YOGA, a book that blends complex teachings with evidence-informed practices and provides her readers from all perspectives with techniques to bring more calm in the face of cancer’s chaos. Cancer is a word that changes everything, for everyone involved.

With over 31 years of nursing experience, Amy has worked in many capacities as an oncology nurse including chemotherapy infusion, management, educator, and care manager. With a passion is to empower those affected by cancer, Amy co-founded Complementary Cancer Care Inc in 2018.  Her knowledge of the organization along with her oncology experience brings a wealth of knowledge that helps guide our organization.

Amy is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Certified Holistic Cancer Coach.  She is a member of Oncology Nurses Society and American Holistic Nurses Association.

Charlotte is a longtime resident of Brevard County.  She co-owned and produced 2 local weekly publications for many years in addition to working for other local publications.

An early adopter of technology, Charlotte began working on one of the first versions of an Apple computer, becoming quite adept with publication software.  A former Master Gardner who turned her attention to indoor gardening when she first became a caregiver, she remains passionate about preserving the environment.  Charlotte has not used a printer for years, preferring to maintain electronic records over paper.

As a caregiver for loved ones during their battles against disease, Charlotte is compassionate and has a unique understanding of the needs of cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.  She regularly attends Complementary Cancer Care’s Mind-Body classes and recognizes firsthand the benefits of the practice, both physically and emotionally.

Mary is the owner of Computer Management Corporation, specializing in website design and creating online courses.  Having been referred to Complementary Cancer Care in 2019 by her oncologist, Mary regularly attends our Mind-Body Classes and participates in a variety of our Support and Educational events.  She launched (and maintains) our new website in Jan 2021 and became an Advisory Board Member in 2022 and Treasurer in 2023.  Mary received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Florida, is a retired executive bank operations officer, and served on the boards of the local and state non-profit genealogical societies.  As a cancer survivor who was blessed by an abundance of support, Mary is passionate about providing and promoting resources for those along their own cancer journey.

With over 25 years of yoga experience, Gray shares the knowledge and skills sourced from the many excellent teachers he has had the opportunity to work with.  Co-Founder Lorien Neargarder experienced his “Yoga for Every Body” class in the past, and remarked about how it was a really accessible, inclusive class for everyone: students were on their mats on the floor, on chairs, and in wheelchairs!  Gray made each one of them feel seen and able to participate in his or her own way.  Gray creates a community in his class through humor and compassion.

Jenn is a Mural Artist at Jenn Gallo Art in Cocoa Village who teaches our monthly Therapeutic Art class.  As a cancer caregiver, Jenn understands the importance of the creative arts in expressing our emotions, thoughts, and feelings along our cancer journeys.

As an artist, designer, and teacher and working with a variety on mediums, Jenn’s classes are inspirational, fun, and provide a way to improve psychological wellbeing by focusing more on creativity and less on mental stressors while enjoying the companionship of fellow cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers.

A life-long journalist, Miss Charlotte inspires creativity and self-expression in journaling.  She will encourage you to learn to state your mind in fiction or non-fiction form!  Whatever your skill or comfort level, everyone has the capacity to write creatively and joyfully.  Increased comfort with writing in any form of self-expression has been demonstrated to facilitate healing and the opportunity to share proves to be a catalyst for peer bonding and personal healing.

Coming soon…

Catherine Johnson is a passionate leader and advocate for community holistic health and holds space for individuals and groups around the topics of mind/body connection, stress management, and behavioral health. She is an internationally certified yoga therapist and currently enrolled in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at UCF. She owned and managed The Zen Room, a local teaching center for eastern influenced mind/body healing arts that was in operation for 15 years. Currently, Cathy works with children and adults via a mobile yoga therapy and behavioral health service, Acina Yoga Therapy.

Robin Krasny has been involved with Complementary Cancer Care for many years and leads our weekly Meditation classes.  She is the Creator of the ‘Breathe With Me’ technique and ‘The Light Show’ along with being an Award-Winning Poet, Singer/Songwriter.  Robin is a certified Yoga and Yoga Nidra Instructor with the Amrit Yoga Institute.

A native of Indialantic, Robin received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Florida; her Healing Arts degree, focusing on Massage Therapy, Chinese Medicine, and Tai Chi at The Institute of Traditional Healing Arts; and studied Yoga and Yoga Nidra at Amrit Yoga Institute.  Robin’s sensitive and empathic nature and skills have enabled her to work with and help people transition, along with her grief work as she helps people process their loss.

Following in her mother’s footsteps, Robin plays clarinet in the Melbourne Municipal Band, and has served on the Board for many years.

Melisa Lee is a Chemotherapy Infusion RN at Cancer Care Centers of Brevard (CCCB) and facilitates the monthly Rockledge Support Group for CCCB.  When Melisa’s son was 3 years old, he was diagnosed with cancer, launching Melisa on her journey as a cancer caregiver, in the days when there was very little support.  Her son is now 25 years old and cancer free, but it was this journey that led Melisa to become an oncology nurse.

Melisa’s compassion and understanding, along with her experience working with cancer patients and their families, gives her a unique perspective as she guides and facilitates the Rockledge Support Group.

Rob Leiter is a Board Certified Music Therapist, who originally hails from Irondequoit, New York.  “I love how music therapy stimulates the body and mind. It can invigorate the senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing, balance, and movement) which helps ground oneself in the experience of the present moment.”  In 2017, Rob began his music therapy internship at the Northeast Center for Brain Injury and Rehabilitation and in 2020, he graduated with his Masters of Science in Music Therapy from the State University of New York at New Paltz.  Rob is one of the therapists at Florida Music Therapy in Melbourne.

Jen Pritchett is our Facebook Media Specialist.  Follow us on Facebook as Jen keeps us informed on our upcoming events each week.  She is an accomplished photographer, videographer, and interactive media specialist. She graduates from Eastern Florida State College in May 2024 with certifications in Graphic Design.

Jen has a service heart and is very passionate about supporting local organizations that support our community.

“I found that I can say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way – things I had no words for.” -Georgia O’Keefe

“In addition to all the health benefits, Tai Chi is fun. There is no correct or incorrect way of practicing; the only requirement is that you are breathing.” ~ Allen

For 12 years, Allen Riggert has been teaching Mind-Body classes in Brevard County. During that time, he was introduced to Tai Chi as part of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s holistic approach to health and longevity. After a few years of teaching Tai Chi – a practice that combines movement, posture, breathing, and awareness – he experienced firsthand what studies have shown: a regular Tai Chi practice provides relief from stress, improves general health, supports longevity, and promotes personal growth and happiness.

When Allen met Complementary Cancer Care in 2019, he knew that the health benefits of Tai Chi would be useful to cancer patients and their caregivers. Allen felt so strongly about serving cancer patients that he volunteered his classes for the first year! His invitation to all is to, “Show up, practice sitting or standing, enjoy the classes, meet new people, laugh and just have fun.”

Hi, I’m Laura. I graduated in 2007 with a BA in psychology from UCF, have always loved discovering and learning about human nature, how we survive and deal with trauma, and the power of how to heal ourselves. Healing is a deep return to the self. Everyone has the ability to heal and live a happy, fulfilled life.

My personal healing journey began over 20 years ago, with counseling therapy, and has continued with unified therapy, reiki, massage, acupuncture, ayruveda, EMDR, Shirodhara, and sound bath healings. I’ve learned to listen to my body through consistent yoga practice, and meditation. I am a licensed massage therapist, certified reiki master, unified therapy practitioner, certified sound healer, and intuitive.  I am the owner of Laura Scott Holistic Healing in Cocoa Beach.