Dr. Omar Rashid specializes in surgical oncology and robotic surgery and is board-certified in Complex General Surgical Oncology and General Surgery. His research team leads initiatives related to cancer care, surgical care, health policy, cancer prevention and survivorship. Dr. Rashid serves as an ACS CAN volunteer advocate in Florida, urging his elected officials to prioritize policies that increase access to health care, reduce the burden of tobacco addiction, and bolster lifesaving cancer research and prevention programs.
Kelly Batista is the Executive Administrator of Cancer Services at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. Kelly oversees operations of UF Health Cancer Services in Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, the Infusion Center, the Center for Advanced Therapeutics Tumor Registry, and Navigation. To fulfill the clinical enterprise aspect of the tripartite mission of UF Health, Kelly engages in a multidisciplinary leadership approach by collaborating with faculty, administration, and other teams in a broad range of departments. Kelly also works closely with UF Health Jacksonville, St. John’s, and Central Florida market leaders to support cancer strategy and operations on a system-wide scale.
Previously, Kelly Batista was the Executive Director of the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in Sarasota, Florida. Working in a dyad-leadership model with the Institute’s Chief Medical Director, Kelly was responsible for the strategic development and operational oversight of the Jellison Cancer Institute, including physician alignment and recruitment, programmatic expansion and implementation, philanthropic advancement, and the design and construction of multiple new cancer care facilities.
Kelly dedicated nearly 14 years at Sarasota Memorial before commencing with UF Health Shands Hospital in 2024, where she has brought her knowledge and experience with her to better serve UF Health.
In support of future healthcare leaders, Kelly Batista serves on the University of South Florida Masters of Healthcare Administration (MHA) Advisory Board. She also serves on the Northeast Florida Advisory Board for the American Cancer Society.
Kelly is active in the professional society, the American College of Healthcare Executives, previously supporting the Western Florida Chapter as President.
Maureen G. Mann is a nationally recognized healthcare executive and cancer advocate, bringing over two decades of dedicated volunteer leadership to the American Cancer Society. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the organization’s nonpartisan advocacy affiliate.
Maureen has played a critical role in shaping public policy aimed at reducing the cancer burden across Florida and the nation. She was instrumental in Florida’s successful effort to increase the state’s cigarette tax in 2009, the first in more than two decades, and continues to fight for sustained tobacco prevention funding. A passionate community advocate, she helped grow the South Florida Policy Forum into one of ACS CAN’s largest and most impactful fundraising and advocacy events in the country.
Previously, Maureen served as Vice Chair and Treasurer of the ACS CAN Board. She has also contributed her expertise to the White House Cancer Moonshot Initiative, lending her insights to strengthen the national dialogue on improving cancer outcomes and closing health equity gaps through public and private collaboration.
In her current executive role, Maureen leads strategy and operations for two major institutes in South Florida while continuing to champion cancer prevention, early detection, and equitable access to care at the state and federal levels.
Maureen has held leadership positions across numerous oncology and community health organizations. Her past service includes the Florida State Cancer Plan Council, the national editorial board of the Association of Community Cancer Centers, and the Board of Directors of Gilda’s Club South Florida. She is a past treasurer of the Oncology Nursing Society Foundation and an alumna of Leadership Miami (Class of 1995) and Leadership Boca (Class of 2018), as well as a long-standing member of the Junior League of Fort Lauderdale.
She earned a B.A. from Harvard University and both M.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Florida Institute of Technology. A lifelong advocate for wellness, Maureen completed her first half marathon in 2012 in support of the American Cancer Society. She continues to serve her community through education, mentorship, and policy work and enjoys swimming and international travel with her husband.