Board Gains Surgeon, Author

The Ellen Hermanson Foundation faces a leadership transition that pairs clinical authority with personal advocacy. The board now includes a top breast surgeon and a bestselling author, while seven longtime members receive a new title.

Dr. Edna Kapenhas, who leads the breast surgery program at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, joins the group. She also serves as medical director of the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center. Her appointment links the foundation directly to the clinical team treating patients at the hospital.

Geralyn Lucas brings a different perspective. A breast cancer survivor and advocate, she wrote the memoir “Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy.” The foundation named her the honoree for its 2026 annual summer gala. Her work has focused on raising awareness of diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Julie Ratner, the foundation’s founder and chair, said the new members bring medical expertise and community connections. “We are thrilled to welcome Edna and Geralyn to our board,” Ratner said. She noted that their combined experience will help advance the mission of supporting breast health care for women on the East End.

The board also created a designation for board members emeriti. This new title recognizes individuals who made lasting contributions to the organization. Seven people received the distinction: Constance M. Chen, Amanda Star Frazer, Patti Askwith Kenner, Hope Klein Langer, James Levin, Hugo Moreno, and Iris Shokoff.

The changes were announced on Tuesday. The foundation has not specified when the new directors will hold their first meeting. The emeriti designation applies immediately to the seven named members, acknowledging their past service on the board.