Roberta L. Buell is a Principal for Provider Services & Reimbursement Information for onPoint Oncology Inc., a Division of RxVantage. For the last 30 years, she has worked almost exclusively with specialty drug therapy access--billing, coding, and reimbursement. Her newsletter, The E-Reimbursement News, is read by nearly 4000 subscribers each month.

Ms. Buell is a frequent speaker for many organizations, manufacturers, and investors. She has completed more than 250 speaking engagements over the last twenty years.

Ms. Buell was President & CEO of Documedics, which is now part of Cencora.  Documedics had contracts to provide reimbursement services, including hotlines, financial counseling, alternative reimbursement searches, and consulting, to over 15 pharmaceutical and biotech companies in oncology and other specialty drug areas. 

Ms. Buell started her career in clinical administration at Barnes Hospital-Washington University School of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Stanford University Medical Center, and also served as a Senior Consultant at Deloitte & Touche and as Director, Case Mix Services at Ernst & Young. 

Ms. Buell received her BA degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her MBA degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Palo Alto, California. 

Ralph V. Boccia, MD, FACP:  Dr Boccia is Medical Director for the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Bethesda, Maryland, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He is also Chief Medical Officer for the International Oncology Network (ION), and serves as chairman for ION’s Medical Advisory Panel. He is a member of the American Oncology Network and its Advisory Board and is the Medical Director for its clinical research program (AOR). Dr Boccia completed training in internal medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)– affiliated hospitals. His hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant fellowships were completed at the combined UCLA-VA Program and the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology.  He is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society of Hematology. With his vast experience and research, Dr Boccia has published more than 200 articles in journal such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology, New England Journal of Medicine, Cancer, Blood, Annals of Internal Medicine, Lancet, and Oncology amongst others. He is listed in Who’s Who in America and has been voted into Washingtonian’s Best Physicians in Washington and Consumers’ Checkbook’s Guide to Top Doctors in Washington, DC every year since 1992.

Dr. Michael Byrne joined Tennessee Oncology in 2022 where he led the successful launch of the Tennessee Oncology Cellular Therapy Program – one of the first community oncology-based programs.  In July 2025, he was named the Medical Director of Cellular Therapy for One Oncology, a managed services organization, with over 30 hematology/oncology practices in the United States.  

Outside of cell therapy, Dr. Byrne oversees the practice’s malignant hematology tumor board and is the lymphoma research lead in the Tennessee Oncology Greco-Hainsworth Centers for Research. He received his medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (Erie, PA).  He went on to complete an internal medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cleveland, OH), fellowship at the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), and advanced fellowship in blood and marrow transplantation at the University of California San Francisco (San Francisco, CA).

Dr. Ameet Patel is a bone marrow transplant and cell therapy provider with a strategic focus on the sustainable implementation of novel cellular therapies, bispecific antibodies, and transplantation programs in the community setting. He is currently with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, where his work centers on expanding access to cell therapy and bispecific treatments for patients across Florida.

Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from the University of Florida and completed a hematology/oncology fellowship with a focus on hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplant, and cellular therapy at Vanderbilt University. He also holds a Master of Management in Healthcare from the Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management, with a particular interest in cost analysis and innovative payment models for CAR T therapy. His professional passion lies in delivering clinical innovation while creating sustainable financial value for cancer care in the community.

Dr. Gary Simmons received his medical degree from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency in Internal Medicine as well as his subspeciality training in Hematology/Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. His clinical interest includes malignant hematology (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), stem cell transplant, CAR T-cell, and cellular therapies to treat malignancies. 

During his residency and fellowship, he won numerous awards including the Nationally recognized Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching in 2011 and again 2013. He was named Resident of the year in 2012 and won excellence in Teaching in 2013. During residency and fellowship, he received numerous awards for excellence in scholarship and during his fellowship he was selected as chief fellow. 

He joined the Massey Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplant Program at VCU in 2016 and during this time he continued to receive awards for excellence in Teaching and served as a researcher, administrator and clinician in the cellular immunotherapies and transplant department. He was promoted to medical director of the ambulatory clinics in cellular therapy in 2020 and helped establish new care delivery models that improved patient safety in quality outcomes in the program. In 2022, he was promoted to associate professor.  

He is well known for being a leader in the development and excellence of CAR T-cell treatments and program building. He serves as the Medical Director for McKesson Cell and Gene Therapy program and has been instrumental in bringing CAR T cells to the community in Hampton Roads. VOA is one of the first stand-alone community CAR T cell programs in the country under his leadership performing all CAR T Cells in the clinic along with several other cellular therapies to treat cancer. 

Dr. Simmons as a leader in CAR T-cell research served as a principal investigator on many cellular therapy trials and has an extensive publication record of abstracts and papers and has presented his work at American Society of Transplant Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and American Society of Hematology (2019, 2020). 

He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology and is an active member of American Society of Hematology (ASH), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American Society of Transplant Cellular Therapy (ASTCT). 

Dr. Simmons has seen the transformational opportunity of cellular therapy and is passionate about access to this therapy for all that need it. He also has a master’s in health care administration (MSHA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) which he uses to better the lives of patients with cancer focusing on therapy delivery, safety, and quality outcomes.   

In his spare time, he enjoys being a father to his five children and running ultra-marathons. He has completed several 100-mile runs and once ran 100 miles on a treadmill in 27 hours. 

Eve Stahl is Senior Vice President of Advanced Therapies at The US Oncology Network, where she provides executive leadership for a national portfolio that includes surgical operations, cell and gene therapy, joint venture partnerships, radiation oncology, and imaging. In this role, Eve is responsible for shaping enterprise strategy, driving operational excellence, and accelerating the scalable delivery of advanced cancer care across a broad network of community oncology practices.

A recognized leader in healthcare transformation, Eve is known for her ability to translate complex clinical innovation into sustainable, high‑impact operating models. She brings a disciplined, data‑driven approach to growth while fostering collaboration across physicians, health systems, industry partners, and care teams to advance integrated, multidisciplinary oncology care closer to patients’ homes.

Prior to joining McKesson, Eve held senior leadership roles at HCA Healthcare – Sarah Cannon, where she played a key role in expanding oncology service lines and aligning clinical operations with research and innovation initiatives. Earlier in her career, she served in strategic business development roles at GE Healthcare, leading customer engagement, product growth, and enterprise partnerships while delivering strong financial performance across major health systems.

Eve holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and is a registered radiologic technologist. With more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, she brings deep expertise in clinical operations, strategic partnerships, and patient‑centered innovation, with a sustained focus on advancing high‑quality, accessible cancer care in the community setting.

Rose Gerber is a nationally recognized cancer advocate and cancer survivor. Her experience includes appearing on national television (MSNBC) to speak about cancer care, meeting with legislators in Washington, D.C. on cancer policy issues, and developing cancer programs. Rose was brought to the COA team to develop its patient advocacy program. One of her first accomplishments was to add an advocacy track to the annual conference, making the meeting one of the few that brings together physicians, administrators, and advocates. She serves as an invited member on national patient advocate panels, steering committees, and cancer coalitions. Rose has also served as a consumer reviewer on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – Department of Defense Breast Cancer research panels.

Rose has been a featured cancer survivor for various cancer organizations’ media campaigns, including the national About Clinical Trials initiative. She has appeared on the cover of the national publication, Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, and was honored as the National Breast Cancer Leader of the Year. In addition, she has been a guest speaker for CURE magazine’s podcast in the episode titled, From Cancer to Capitol Hill. She has been the keynote speaker at multiple national and state conferences. Rose served for five years as a grant reviewer, speaker, and educator for Susan G. Komen and co-founded and managed a breast cancer-mentoring program for Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology in Connecticut. Collaborating with community health workers and nurses, Rose also gained an understanding of disparities in health care. Rose taught breast health education to diverse populations including Muslims, Haitians, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, and young mothers.

Rose has a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and two bachelor’s degrees. Rose is also a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s esteemed Project Lead programs: Clinical Trials, Science Institute, and Quality Care. Prior to her advocacy work, Rose worked for NBC-TV in Los Angeles, California. A mother with young children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she is now a long-term survivor and applies her personal experience as a cancer survivor with her advocacy knowledge to educate and train cancer patients and cancer survivors on how various national cancer policy issues impact their local patient care. 

Dr. Emily Touloukian is a medical oncologist and hematologist practicing at Coastal Cancer Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A native of Bloomington, Indiana; she received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University and her medical degree from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Internship and Residency at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois and subsequently her Fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan. Dr. Touloukian is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology, Hematology and Internal Medicine.

In addition to serving as President and CEO of her practice, she is a past President of the South Carolina Oncology Society and the immediate past President of the Medical Society of Horry County. Dr Touloukian is on the Board of Directors on the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and is the medical co-chair for the COA Patient Advocacy Network. She is on the Board of Directors of OneOncology where she is active in the leadership of the organization. Additionally, she is the immediate past Chair of the ASCO State Affiliate Council and serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Carolina Cancer Foundation.

Harsha Vyas, MD, FACP is the President and Founding Physician of Cancer Center of Middle Georgia, an independent community oncology practice providing comprehensive hematology and oncology care across rural Central Georgia. His mission is to ensure that high-quality, compassionate, and affordable cancer care remains accessible close to home for underserved rural populations.

Dr. Vyas completed his Hematology and Medical Oncology fellowship at the Wake Forest University Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center at East Tennessee State University, where he served as Chief Medical Resident. He earned his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in Manipal, India. He is board certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology.

A nationally recognized advocate for community oncology, particularly rural cancer care, Dr. Vyas serves as National CPAN Co-Medical Director for the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and was named an Advocacy Champion by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for advancing rural healthcare policy. He regularly engages state and federal lawmakers on issues affecting independent oncology practices and patient access to care.

Dr. Vyas is published in peer-reviewed journals and actively involved in clinical research. He established the clinical research division at Cancer Center of Middle Georgia, expanding access to emerging therapies for underserved and underrepresented rural patients. He also lectures widely on cancer awareness and serves on advisory panels focused on community-based oncology care.

In 2022, he founded Athena Oncology, LLC, a multi-state network of 32 independent community oncology practices designed to strengthen purchasing power, leverage data analytics, and advance sustainable aggregation models that preserve physician-led care and practice autonomy. He currently serves as CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of Athena Oncology.

He also founded the Cancer Foundation of Middle Georgia, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting indigent cancer patients in his region.

Dr. Vyas lives in Dublin, Georgia, with his family and remains deeply committed to strengthening community-based cancer care nationwide.

Syed Zia Khan, PharmD, BCSCP, is the director of pharmacy at The START Center for Cancer Care, overseeing oncology pharmacy operations across infusion, retail, and medically integrated services. He has extensive expertise in electronic medical record optimization, credentialing, group purchasing organization strategy, payer contracting, and direct manufacturer collaboration. Dr. Khan spearheaded the development of START’s preferred pathways within Flatiron Assist to streamline clinical decision-making and standardize treatment workflows. He also led the organization through accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, securing a specialty pharmacy designation. His experience spans the full spectrum of pharmacy infrastructure, from cleanroom and sterile compounding design to full-scale remodels. Dr Khan earned his doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, and is board certified in sterile compounding. He partnered with Nucleus to implement a real-time inventory management solution and worked closely with Flatiron Health and Oncology Supply to integrate clinical decision support and virtual dispensing tools into the electronic health record, driving efficiency across all sites.

Dr. Mya Tran, PharmD, BCOP, is a Precision Oncology Clinical Pharmacist at Indiana University Health Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center. Following her Hematology-Oncology pharmacy residency at the University of North Carolina Medical Center, she joined the IU Precision Genomics Program in 2022, where she specializes in genomic data interpretation and targeted therapy recommendations for solid tumor patients across the IU Health system. With a particular focus on lung cancer, Dr. Tran provides direct patient care in the thoracic clinic, leads biomarker testing standardization efforts, and contributes to research advancing precision cancer treatment.

Robert has extensive experience in healthcare management, developing strategic plans and directing financial, operational, and clinical initiatives.  He is currently the President of the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA) a national network of community oncology practices whose focus is to contract directly through value-based agreements with health care purchasers for oncology services.  Prior to joining NCTA Robert was the CEO of Dayton Physicians, where he merged 3 independent Physician practices (Medical Oncology/Radiation Oncology/Urology) to create a large multi-specialty practice.  

Robert received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Bowling Green State University, Master of Science in Hospital and Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Nursing Degree from Excelsior College.

Robert is married with three children and enjoys travelling, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. 

Jenn Misora is a healthcare technology executive with more than 20 years of experience leading customer strategy, service line growth, and operations across the healthcare ecosystem. As Senior Vice President of Customer Success at Turquoise, she is responsible for ensuring customers realize measurable value from the company’s products and for shaping the company’s long-term customer engagement strategy.

Turquoise is building the operating system for healthcare contracts and payments, connecting pricing data, contract intelligence, and revenue cycle workflows in one unified system so providers, payers, employers, and life sciences organizations can move from administrative complexity to clear, actionable transactions. As a member of the Turquoise executive team, Jenn works closely with leadership stakeholders across the industry to help organizations move beyond regulatory compliance toward the strategic use of transparency data to inform contracting strategy, benchmarking, and market positioning.

Jenn previously held leadership roles at companies such as HCA Healthcare and Healthgrades, where she led initiatives spanning service line strategy, consumer research, patient experience, and growth operations. Her experience across provider systems and digital health platforms gives her a broad perspective on the evolving dynamics between providers, payers, and health technology organizations.

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Jenn is a lead volunteer with her local municipal animal shelter, where she fosters kittens and helps educate families and volunteers caring for vulnerable animals.

Alti Rahman is the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at American Oncology Network. He holds a dual Masters degree in Business and Healthcare Administration and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. 

His career in healthcare started as a mental health case worker. Those powerful experiences shaped his pursuit of a career in healthcare administration where he felt there was a tremendous gap in medical interventions and pursuit of public health goals.

Prior to joining AON, Alti spent 15 years at Oncology Consultants, a successful community oncology practice in Houston, TX, pursuing value-based care and continuous innovations around operational, cost and quality improvements. 

Alti holds additional supplementary roles including: Board Member of COA (Community Oncology Alliance) and Chair of the Patient Centered Innovation Committee for COA.

Alti believes that the future of healthcare involves a multidisciplinary and unapologetically collaborative approach keeping the patient at the center of all decisions. 

Mark has spent 10 years in healthcare services, focused on scaling organizations that provide an alternative to high-cost health systems. At Vantris, he focuses on building products that enable employers to partner with community practices that deliver high-quality care to patients in a more convenient setting at significantly lower cost than the consolidated hospital systems. In addition to Vantris, Mark is the Director of Development at Astera Cancer Care in New Jersey.

Prior to Vantris, Mark led operational and growth teams across outpatient radiology, musculoskeletal care, and specialty veterinary medicine.

Mark holds a BA from Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Katherine Baker is a practicing medical oncologist and Medical Director of Value-Based Care at Tennessee Oncology. In this role, she leads some of the many care innovation efforts of the practice to provide high quality, patient-centered care. As a Georgia native, she received her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia and her medical doctorate at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. She completed her internship and residency training in Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. In June 2024, she completed fellowship training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, during which time she served as chief fellow for two consecutive years. She also received a Master of Management in Healthcare from the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management.  In addition to her role at Tennessee Oncology, Dr. Baker is an active board member of the Tennessee Oncology Practice Society and the Community Oncology Alliance Fellows Board.

John has practiced law for 34 years, exclusively for health care clients since 2001.  He advises health care systems/hospitals, physician practices, individual physicians, suppliers, and other health care providers/businesses.  He has advised hundreds of graduating fellows, residents, and experienced physicians regarding their employment arrangements.  He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Indiana University Bloomington’s Mauer School of Law.  Prior to forming his own firm, he worked as United States District Court law clerk, Trail Attorney in the United States Department of Justice, for a national wholesaler, for Cardinal Health, and for three different law firms.  He is a husband, father of three, and shares a home office with two joyful Golden Retrievers.

Jenny Ahlstrom is the Founder and CEO of HealthTree Foundation, a global nonprofit revolutionizing blood cancer care through innovative technology and patient empowerment. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2010, she transformed her personal journey into a mission to accelerate cures for over 41 blood cancers.

A former IBM systems engineer with a Communications degree, Jenny brings both analytical and communication strengths to her leadership in patient advocacy. She founded HealthTree in 2012 to provide personalized patient support, facilitate meaningful connections, and harness real-world patient data to accelerate research. HealthTree’s innovative technology empowers patients to connect, share insights, and contribute directly to lifesaving discoveries. By enabling patients to securely link their medical records from multiple care centers into a single comprehensive profile, HealthTree delivers personalized insights—such as lab tracking, tailored treatment options, and clinical trial matches—while simultaneously opening this aggregated, de-identified data to researchers, driving faster cures for all.

Jenny serves as a patient advocate consultant and her work has been featured in major media outlets including ABC News, The Today Show, and The Wall Street Journal. She has co-authored numerous publications in prestigious journals and presented at conferences worldwide.

A mother of six, Jenny has received multiple awards including the INC. Magazine Female Founders 500 Award and the Cure Magazine Multiple Myeloma Hero Award. 

Katie Alexander is an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner specializing in the care of adult oncology patients in the Columbus, Ohio and surrounding region. Katie began her career in 2002 in the surgical intensive care as a staff nurse. She then worked over a decade in the care of the post trauma and post surgical patients. She graduated from Mount Carmel College of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio in 2014 with a Masters in Nursing with a focus in Adult Gerontology Acute Care. She began working exclusively in oncology in 2016 at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center-James Cancer. In 2019, she joined the community oncology realm, moving to the Mark H Zangmeister Cancer Center and American Oncology Network.

Working with 10 physicians and 6 other Advanced Practice Providers, Katie has found her true home in community oncology care. Her passion for compassionate, evidenced based care has been truly recognized while at the Zangmeister Center. Katie’s work includes education for medical marijuana patients; intimacy issues in the hematological/oncology patients and care of the LGBTQAI population. Katie also functions as the Regional Advanced Practice Provider Coordinator for American Oncology Network (AON); providing onboarding support, education and development of Advanced Practice Providers throughout the entire AON network.  

When not working, Katie enjoys spending time on her mini farm with her husband and children; reading; gardening and baking.

Shannon Brown serves as the Helpline Manager and Lead Navigator at the Cancer Support Community. With more than 15 years of oncology and pediatric social work experience, she is passionate about providing psychosocial support and developing innovative programs that improve access to care and health outcomes.

Driven by her lived experience as a cancer survivor, Shannon is committed to serving the cancer community and considers it an honor to walk alongside people on their journeys. Her prior work experience includes roles at the American Cancer Society, Dell Children’s Blood and Cancer Center, and Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center. Most recently, as Director of Family Programs at Children’s Cancer Partners, she oversaw the delivery of high-impact services for thousands of families across the Carolinas.

Shannon resides in South Carolina with her family and dog, Harvey. Always up for an adventure, she loves to travel, collect hobbies, and attend as many concerts as possible.

Christine Pfaff, MBA, RPh, is the Director of Clinical Initiatives at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). As director of clinical initiatives, she uses her background in community oncology clinic and pharmacy operations to support independent practices that are navigating an increasingly complex health care landscape. She guides COA’s industry-leading peer-to-peer network for medically integrated pharmacy teams in independent community oncology and urology practices across the country, the Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA). In addition, Christine supports COA’s work on payment reform, educational initiatives, and employer engagement through the National Cancer Treatment Alliance (NCTA).

Prior to joining COA, Christine practiced as a licensed pharmacist and health care executive for over 15 years, leading community oncology operations and pharmacy services across a multi-state region. In her previous role as Senior Regional Director of Operations for the American Oncology Network, she oversaw clinical and business operations across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.

Christine’s career spans leadership roles in clinical pharmacy, practice operations, and strategic development, with a strong track record in expanding services, enhancing patient outcomes through value-based care programs, and spearheading cross-functional collaboration. Her expertise includes pharmaceutical contracting, budget management, referral development, and compliance with USP and NCCN standards.

A respected voice in oncology care innovation, Christine serves on the Ohio Board of Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Times Oncology Editorial Board. She previously was a member of the COPA board. She holds an MBA from Franklin University and a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from The Ohio State University. Christine currently resides in Columbus, Ohio.

Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP, is a clinical pharmacist specializing in stem cell transplant and cellular therapy and serves as the coordinator for the PGY-2 oncology pharmacy residency program. She earned her doctor of pharmacy degree with a research concentration from East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy in 2015.

Dr. Adams completed her PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency and PGY-2 oncology pharmacy residency at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis from 2015 to 2017. Following her training, she developed a strong focus in oncology pharmacy, with expertise in the care of transplant and cellular therapy patients.

Her clinical and research interests include the management of infectious disease complications following transplantation, the application of next-generation sequencing to optimize therapeutic decision-making, and the management of graft-vs-host disease.

Brooke Peters, PharmD, BCOP, obtained her doctor of pharmacy degree from Ohio Northern University and completed pharmacy practice and hematology/oncology residencies at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Ohio. She is certified in oncology pharmacy by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Dr Peters is the associate director of pharmacy for the American Oncology Network.

Yoni Resnick is the vice president of pharmacy at New England Cancer Specialists (NECS), an independent community oncology practice with 4 clinic locations in Maine and New Hampshire. After devoting more than 10 years of his professional career to inpatient pharmacy, he transitioned to the ambulatory setting and has been with NECS since 2019.

Dr. Resnick’s responsibilities at NECS include oversight of all pharmacy services, the research program, drug contracting and industry engagement, financial and formulary decision-making, and serving as an ambassador for the practice across the many national groups in which NECS participates.

He is deeply committed to an interdisciplinary approach to optimizing the quality of care for oncology patients in the community setting, with an emphasis on reducing barriers to the safe and effective implementation of standard-of-care therapies across all disease states.

Eileen Ehret is a healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience in advanced molecular imaging, oncology operations, and value‑based care. Her career includes leadership roles across community hospitals, private practices and oncology enterprise organizations, where she established processes to advance clinical quality and patient‑centered care models.

She currently serves as Vice President of Regulatory and Compliance at Navista, overseeing clinical compliance, accreditation, quality assurance, and patient safety initiatives. Eileen is known for translating complex regulatory requirements into practical, patient‑focused strategies that support operational excellence and sustainable value‑based outcomes.

Outside of her professional work, Eileen is a second‑degree black belt in taekwondo, a church handbell musician, and an enthusiastic traveler who enjoys adventuring with her husband and three daughters.

Amy Ellis is Chief Executive Officer of Northwest Medical Specialties, a community oncology practice located in the South Puget Sound region of Washington State. She brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience and has held several leadership roles at Northwest Medical Specialties, including Chief Quality Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Amy has led large-scale transformation efforts in value-based care and quality improvement, with deep expertise in oncology care delivery, advanced analytics, and technology integration to improve patient outcomes and optimize practice performance.

Amy is actively engaged in national efforts to advance community oncology through her work with organizations including the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), and the ONCare Alliance Network. She has served in multiple leadership roles, including on the ACCC Board of Trustees, the COA Administrators Network Advisory Board and contributes to initiatives focused on payment reform, operational excellence, and care transformation. She has been recognized as a HemOnc Today Next Generation Innovator and is an ACCC Lifetime Fellow.

Abra Kelson is a dedicated oncology social worker and healthcare leader with nearly a decade of experience advancing health equity and psychosocial care. She currently serves as Director of Quality & Value-Based Care at Northwest Medical Specialties (NWMS), where she leads program development, strategic planning, and multidisciplinary initiatives to improve patient outcomes across the oncology continuum.

At NWMS, Abra’s clinical and leadership work have driven successful funding efforts, securing critical resources to implement the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) and food provision programming. She previously served as Program Director for the Cancer Support Community at NWMS, overseeing educational, wellness, and psychosocial support programs and services.

Megan Underwood, PharmD, BCOP, serves as Director of Pharmacy at Illinois CancerCare in Peoria, Illinois, where she leads oncology pharmacy services across multiple clinic sites. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Southern Illinois University in 2019 and has since focused her career on advancing clinical excellence and operational innovation in oncology pharmacy practice.

Megan specializes in optimizing medication utilization, implementing biosimilar and cost-effective treatment strategies, and aligning pharmacy services with value-based oncology care. She has led numerous initiatives to enhance workflow efficiency, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and improve access to high-quality treatment for patients with cancer.

A dedicated leader and advocate for the evolving role of pharmacy in oncology, Megan is passionate about developing high-performing teams and advancing patient-centered cancer care.

Dr. Ambrad is a board-certified Radiation Oncologist working at Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers in Phoenix, AZ since 2006. Ironwood Cancer & Research Centers is the largest private, physician-owned community oncology practice in Arizona with six comprehensive cancer centers throughout Phoenix. Dr. Ambrad is a senior partner and currently serves as Ironwood's Secretary. Dr. Ambrad graduated from Haverford College with a B.A. in Economics in 1993 and earned his M.D./M.B.A. from the Medical Scholars Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine graduating in 1999. He then completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center in 2004 where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Ambrad is an active educator as a clinical professor at Midwestern University College of Medicine. In addition, he is a principal investigator for several of Ironwood Cancer Center's clinical research trials. Dr. Ambrad is a board member of COA and is passionate about the independence and success of community oncology.

Glenn joined RMCC in 2014 with over 25 years of experience in oncology practice operations and management. He is involved at local, state, and national levels in regards to presenting his knowledge and insight at industry meetings, as well as working with congressional representatives on cancer-related issues. His commitment to making cancer care better at RMCC is demonstrated through his ability to identify, and find solutions to, complex problems. He believes that everyone is an important part of the team at RMCC, and each team member has an equally important role in helping patients through their healthcare journey. Outside of work, he enjoys running, cycling, and skiing and is very proud of the accomplishments of his wife and his two adult children.

Dr. Barron is a board-certified radiation oncologist with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry. He has extensive experience in basic and clinical research, medical education, life sciences, data analysis, and oncology. After completing his combined M.D./Ph.D training though the MSTP program sponsored by the NIH, he went on to complete a residency at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center during which time he spent two years in a functional genomics lab contributing to genetic predictive panels to facilitate prediction of outstanding responders to targeted therapies for rare malignancies as part of the MSKCC-IMPACT panel, which is now an FDA approved tumor sequencing panel. After completing residency, he went on to establish a new radiation oncology program with UPMC at the first Hillman Cancer Center in central Pennsylvania and more recently in the northwestern Ohio market with his current role as medical director of the Bon Secours Mercy Cancer Center in Elyria, Ohio. He has become a thought leader in the use of low dose radiation therapy in the treatment of various non-malignant conditions including osteoarthritis, Dupuytrens disease, Lederhose disease, plantar fasciitis, and tendinopathies using a state-of-the-art external beam radiation treatment modalities. Additionally, he runs a robust oncology program that treats adult solid malignancies with LINAC based therapies, as well as brachytherapy services to treat breast, prostate, skin, and gynecologic cancers. He is currently engaged in facilitating the credentialing and training of various community practices in the use of low dose radiation for non-malignant conditions including osteoarthritis and effort to help promote this emerging anti-inflammatory tool for patients in need. 

Justin Rousek serves as Chief Executive Officer of Cancer Partners of Nebraska, where he oversees overall management, operations, and financial strategy. He works closely with physicians and leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered cancer care and to strengthen the sustainability of independent community oncology.

Prior to joining Cancer Partners, Justin held a healthcare leadership role within a large hospital system, where he focused on improving healthcare delivery, operational performance, and system-wide efficiencies. He is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Justin earned his PhD in Biomedical Engineering and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, as well as a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Administration from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His technical and healthcare leadership background has helped position Cancer Partners as one of the most comprehensive community oncology practices in the region.

Dr. Balch has more than 22 years of executive leadership in the non-profit sector spanning multiple advocacy areas including access and affordability, health equity, prevention and early detection, and cancer research. He became CEO of both PAF and NPAF in 2013 and has served as a member of both Boards of Directors since 2007. From 2006-2013, he served as Vice President of the Preventive Health Partnership -- a national health promotion collaboration between the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association. Dr. Balch currently serves on dozens of selective boards, steering committees, and councils for an array of institutions. Most recently, Dr. Balch was selected as the Chair of the Global Patient Council for the American Patient Representatives Roundtable for the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) after serving as the Co-Chair of the North American Patient Representatives Roundtable.

Dr. Balch recently stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Clinical Pathways. He has served on the editorial board and as a contributing editor for many years and on the advisory board for the Journal of Oncology Navigation and Survivorship. He is frequently invited to peer review article submissions to various publications including the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and the American Journal of Public Health.

He earned his PhD  from the University of California Santa Cruz, his master’s degree from the University of Texas San Antonio; and his bachelor’s degree from Trinity University in San Antonio.

Rose Gerber is a nationally recognized cancer advocate and cancer survivor. Her experience includes appearing on national television (MSNBC) to speak about cancer care, meeting with legislators in Washington, D.C. on cancer policy issues, and developing cancer programs. Rose was brought to the COA team to develop its patient advocacy program. One of her first accomplishments was to add an advocacy track to the annual conference, making the meeting one of the few that brings together physicians, administrators, and advocates. She serves as an invited member on national patient advocate panels, steering committees, and cancer coalitions. Rose has also served as a consumer reviewer on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – Department of Defense Breast Cancer research panels.

Rose has been a featured cancer survivor for various cancer organizations’ media campaigns, including the national About Clinical Trials initiative. She has appeared on the cover of the national publication, Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, and was honored as the National Breast Cancer Leader of the Year. In addition, she has been a guest speaker for CURE magazine’s podcast in the episode titled, From Cancer to Capitol Hill. She has been the keynote speaker at multiple national and state conferences. Rose served for five years as a grant reviewer, speaker, and educator for Susan G. Komen and co-founded and managed a breast cancer-mentoring program for Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology in Connecticut. Collaborating with community health workers and nurses, Rose also gained an understanding of disparities in health care. Rose taught breast health education to diverse populations including Muslims, Haitians, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, and young mothers.

Rose has a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and two bachelor’s degrees. Rose is also a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s esteemed Project Lead programs: Clinical Trials, Science Institute, and Quality Care. Prior to her advocacy work, Rose worked for NBC-TV in Los Angeles, California. A mother with young children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she is now a long-term survivor and applies her personal experience as a cancer survivor with her advocacy knowledge to educate and train cancer patients and cancer survivors on how various national cancer policy issues impact their local patient care. 

As Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at Cancer Support Community, she leads and advances initiatives that ensure that patients, caregivers, and survivors impacted by cancer shape policymaking. Prior to joining CSC, Daneen was the staff lead for the MultiCancer Early Detection (MCED) Consortium’s Health Equity Workgroup and led the Policy and Advocacy team for the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness, where she provided strategic direction and policy analysis on issues including mental health, caregivers, and social connection. She also served as Director of Health Care Reform Policy at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, where her efforts led to patients receiving in every health insurance plan’s Summary of Benefits & Coverage the details of what services are covered and how many are covered. In addition, Daneen advocated for the availability of language assistance services and/or auxiliary aids and services for limited English proficiency individuals and individuals with disabilities. 

Christine Verini is the Chief Executive Officer of CancerCare, a national nonprofit organization providing free professional support services to people affected by cancer. With more than 25 years of oncology and healthcare leadership experience, Ms. Verini brings strategic vision and expertise to the 80+ year-old organization. 

Ms. Verini transitioned to CancerCare's senior leadership team in 2015 before becoming CEO in 2023. In her leadership roles, she has expanded CancerCare’s programs and strengthened partnerships to improve access to care.

She previously held the position of Vice President of Corporate Communications and Advocacy at Eisai and accumulated extensive experience in marketing and medical roles at Sanofi. Additionally, she has served as Co-Chair of the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance’s Awareness Task Force and has undertaken leadership roles with HealthyWomen.

Ms. Verini's leadership has been widely recognized, including being named one of Cancer Health Magazine’s 25: People Who Power Clinical Trials and PharmaVOICE’s 100 Most Inspiring People. These recognitions reflect her impact as a nonprofit leader advancing innovative solutions, compassionate care, and collaborative approaches for the cancer community.

Dr. Morse joined the Carolinas Medical Center team in September 2017. Her professional interests include hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplantation, pharmacogenomics in oncology practice, and pharmacy practice advancement.

Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA, serves as Chief Operating Officer of Highlands Oncology Group, P.A., a leading multi-specialty oncology practice in Northwest Arkansas. In this role, he oversees enterprise operations for an organization comprising more than 60 oncology providers and over 800 employees, with responsibility for strategy execution, operational performance, and sustained organizational growth.

Dr. Ajayi specializes in translating organizational strategy into measurable processes and performance outcomes, with a focus on quality, efficiency, and cost stewardship. He has led significant expansion in patient access and services, including playing a central role in the development of a 31-acre oncology campus anchored by a 125,000-square-foot state-of-the-art medical facility.

Prior to joining Highlands Oncology Group, Dr. Ajayi held senior leadership roles at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, where he served as Director of Operational Excellence and Practice Administrator. There, he established a system-wide operational excellence program grounded in LEAN principles, achieving measurable improvements in quality, alignment, and financial performance.

Dr. Ajayi began his career as a clinical pharmacist, advancing into oncology pharmacy leadership roles where he built and scaled oncology pharmacy programs and supported multidisciplinary cancer care teams. He has also served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Wyoming School of Pharmacy, mentoring Doctor of Pharmacy students in oncology practice and healthcare administration.

He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Wyoming and his MBA from the University of Colorado. Dr. Ajayi is an active national leader in oncology, having served as the 2023–2024 President of the Association of Community Cancer Centers, and continues to contribute through board service, advisory roles, and editorial leadership in oncology innovation. His work has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2023 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Visionary of the Year.

A nationally recognized oncologist and healthcare leader, Dr. Gury Doshi brings a unique combination of clinical expertise and executive leadership, with a strategic focus on innovation. She is an advocate for cancer care access, and physician wellness, leveraging ambient AI and digital platforms to improve both patient experience and system efficiency.

Dr. Doshi’s career trajectory—from clinical researcher to network-level executive—reflects her alignment with a future-focused, patient-centered vision.  Her chairmanship of US Oncology’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics committee, serving on the board of Texas Oncology, publications in journals, and advocacy on social platforms all reinforce this unified purpose.

She proudly practices at Texas Oncology, the largest community-based oncology practice in the United States, with over 600 physicians caring for Texans across more than 100 sites. Texas Oncology is a forward thinking, innovative organization whose mission is to provide excellent evidence-based care for each patient we serve, while advancing cancer care for tomorrow. 

Kathryn Paliotta, RN, is the Vice President of Patient Communications. Kathryn oversees multiple clinical Patient Communication departments, including Triage, Chronic Care Management, Centralized LPNs,  Imaging, and Nurse Navigation. She is committed to ensuring that patients receive the best possible care and communication throughout their treatment journey.

Kathryn has gained a wealth of experience in patient care through her various roles in healthcare. She began her career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Medical Center before transitioning to Pediatric Cardiac ICU RN at Duke University Hospital. Kathryn also worked as a Pediatric RN at Stony Brook University Hospital and later as a Triage RN before becoming the Director of Patient Communications at NYCBS.

She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology from Manhattan College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duke University.

Dr. Fugere is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist. She earned her medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, where she also completed her internal medicine residency and hematology-oncology fellowship. She now practices at Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute at their Benton, AR (her hometown) and Little Rock, AR locations.

Dr. Richard McDonough is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist with Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, where he practices near Tampa, Florida. He earned his medical degree from the University of Miami and completed his residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He went on to complete a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

With a strong background in clinical research, Dr. McDonough has authored several book chapters, published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and presented his work at prominent national and international medical meetings.

As Director of Legislative Affairs and Advocacy for Florida Cancer Specialists, Dr. McDonough has become a leading advocate for cancer patients and community oncology. He works tirelessly to ensure that all patients have access to high-quality, affordable cancer care. He previously served as President of the Florida Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) from 2017 to 2019 and as Treasurer from 2014 to 2017.

At the national level, Dr. McDonough actively engages in shaping oncology policy through his work with the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). He serves on multiple COA committees, including as Co-Chair of the Drug Policy Committee. He regularly engages with members of Congress, federal agencies, and industry partners to advance policies that support community oncology practices and protect patient access to care.

Over the past several years, Dr. McDonough has represented his group and colleagues at both the state and national levels, participating in advocacy meetings, legislative summits, and policy retreats. His leadership extends through his service as Chair of the FLASCO Fellows Committee and Nominating Committee and as a member of the FLASCO Executive Committee.

Through his ongoing advocacy and leadership, Dr. McDonough remains deeply committed to strengthening the future of community oncology and the health policy landscape that supports it.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Dr. McDonough is married and the proud father of three children. He enjoys traveling and is an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Gator basketball.

Nicolina Scibelli, D.O., originally from Massachusetts, earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Massachusetts. She then went on to complete her medical degree at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Spartanburg, SC.

Following this, she completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Grand Strand Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she was recognized as Resident of the Year during her second year. She then pursued fellowship training in Hematology and Oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, serving as Chief Fellow during her final year.

Currently, Dr. Scibelli has returned to Myrtle Beach, where she is now working as a community Hematologist/Medical Oncologist at Coastal Cancer Center. As a physician early in her career, Dr. Scibelli brings a unique and practical perspective on the transition from fellowship to independent practice.

Alfredo Torres, MD is a board-certified physician in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology, currently serving as the Associate Chief Medical Officer at New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (NYCBS), one of the nation’s leading community oncology practices. He also serves as Disease Group Chair of Gastrointestinal Oncology at OneOncology, where he helps guide clinical strategy and standardization across a national network of oncology providers.

Dr. Torres earned his medical degree from Universidad de Carabobo in Venezuela and completed his Internal Medicine residency through the prestigious Harrington Program at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami. He subsequently completed his fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami, where he developed a strong foundation in both clinical excellence and academic medicine.

In his current role as Associate Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Torres plays a key leadership role in advancing clinical quality, operational strategy, and patient-centered care across a large, multidisciplinary oncology network. He is actively involved in shaping treatment standards, improving care delivery models, and fostering innovation in community oncology practice.

Dr. Torres has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in hematology and oncology and has contributed to advancing clinical research in the field. He has been recognized for his academic contributions, including receiving a grant from the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.

In addition to his clinical and administrative leadership, Dr. Torres holds academic appointments as Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at both Stony Brook University and Mather Hospital, where he is actively involved in medical education and mentorship. He continues to serve as a leader in the chemotherapy committee at NYCBS, contributing to the development and oversight of safe and effective treatment protocols.

Dr. Torres is an active member of several prestigious professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the Community Oncology Alliance. He also serves on multiple boards, including the American Cancer Society (Long Island Division), the Community Oncology Alliance, and the Empire State Society of Hematology and Oncology, reflecting his commitment to advancing cancer care, advocacy, and community engagement.

Clinically, Dr. Torres has a broad scope of practice with particular interests in lung cancer, gastrointestinal malignancies, gynecologic cancers, prostate cancer, and lymphomas. He is dedicated to delivering personalized, evidence-based care and improving outcomes for diverse patient populations.

Rose Gerber is a nationally recognized cancer advocate and cancer survivor. Her experience includes appearing on national television (MSNBC) to speak about cancer care, meeting with legislators in Washington, D.C. on cancer policy issues, and developing cancer programs. Rose was brought to the COA team to develop its patient advocacy program. One of her first accomplishments was to add an advocacy track to the annual conference, making the meeting one of the few that brings together physicians, administrators, and advocates. She serves as an invited member on national patient advocate panels, steering committees, and cancer coalitions. Rose has also served as a consumer reviewer on the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs – Department of Defense Breast Cancer research panels.

Rose has been a featured cancer survivor for various cancer organizations’ media campaigns, including the national About Clinical Trials initiative. She has appeared on the cover of the national publication, Breast Cancer Wellness magazine, and was honored as the National Breast Cancer Leader of the Year. In addition, she has been a guest speaker for CURE magazine’s podcast in the episode titled, From Cancer to Capitol Hill. She has been the keynote speaker at multiple national and state conferences. Rose served for five years as a grant reviewer, speaker, and educator for Susan G. Komen and co-founded and managed a breast cancer-mentoring program for Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology in Connecticut. Collaborating with community health workers and nurses, Rose also gained an understanding of disparities in health care. Rose taught breast health education to diverse populations including Muslims, Haitians, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, and young mothers.

Rose has a Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and two bachelor’s degrees. Rose is also a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s esteemed Project Lead programs: Clinical Trials, Science Institute, and Quality Care. Prior to her advocacy work, Rose worked for NBC-TV in Los Angeles, California. A mother with young children when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she is now a long-term survivor and applies her personal experience as a cancer survivor with her advocacy knowledge to educate and train cancer patients and cancer survivors on how various national cancer policy issues impact their local patient care. 

MaryLou Eyester Gonzalez is a retired Registered Nurse and six-year survivor of Stage IIB triple-positive breast cancer. Her life has been shaped by compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to family, community, and cancer care.

Over her 34-year nursing career, she served in oncology and homecare, supporting patients and families through their most vulnerable moments. Cancer care was not only her profession, but deeply personal. In 2002, her husband Jack was diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while they were raising their young children. His strength and optimism during treatment became a lasting source of inspiration for their family.

In January 2019, MaryLou was diagnosed with Stage IIB triple-positive breast cancer. She faced extensive treatment—including chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, and multiple surgeries—with courage and determination. Just one month after completing chemotherapy, she celebrated her daughter Brielle’s wedding on July 7, 2019, and underwent her bilateral mastectomy the very next morning, continuing her fight with remarkable resolve.

Today, MaryLou’s journey reflects a lifetime devoted to healing—as a nurse, caregiver, and survivor. Her story is a testament to faith, family, resilience, and the power of compassionate cancer care.

Angelina Lorello began her journey with New York Cancer & Blood Specialists long before she ever worked there. Before Angelina was born, her father was diagnosed on his 30th birthday with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A tumor was wrapped around his heart, and he was given just three days to live. He was treated in a community oncology setting at NYCBS, where he underwent intensive chemotherapy and radiation. He was cured—but told he would never be able to conceive.

Against all odds, Angelina’s parents later returned to the same office with life-changing news: they were pregnant. Angelina became the miracle baby of NYCBS and her family.

Now, with nine years at NYCBS, Angelina considers her work a full-circle purpose. As a young girl, she was given life because of community oncology, and today she gives back through advocacy and storytelling. She has found her passion in sharing what community oncology truly means to patients and families. In her current role in Patient Experience, Angelina advocates daily for patients and their voices. She serves as a CPAN leader and is the leader of the Patient and Family Council.

Angelina continues to honor her story by advocating for patients and championing the importance of community oncology—because for her, it is not just a career, but a legacy.

“When you have passion within you, the fire never burns out.”

Jeff Mortier brings over a decade of public policy expertise in the healthcare, energy, telecommunications, privacy, and data security arenas and is widely regarded as a trusted voice on Capitol Hill.

Jeff has extensive experience in providing strategic advice and lobbying and policy expertise to executives of fortune 500 companies, industry associations, and non-profit organizations.

Jeff also serves as the Executive Director of the 21st Century Privacy Coalition, where he represents major telecommunications and cable companies.

Prior to co-founding Farragut Partners, Jeff served as a Professional Staff Member on the House Energy & Commerce Committee under Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI). In that role, he helped organize the committee’s policy agenda and promoted the Chairman’s legislative priorities including work on online privacy and data security issues. He also served as a liaison to Republican Member offices on the committee and worked directly with Members and senior staff to help them further their policy goals.

Before serving on the Energy & Commerce Committee, Jeff spent five years working with senior Member of Congress Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) where he handled the Congressman’s most important legislative priorities, including health care policy, and served as Rep. Whitfield’s top policy advisor. During his time with Rep. Whitfield, Jeff worked on a number of significant bills including the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 and the Food Safety and Modernization Act.

Working with his founding partners, Jeff MacKinnon and Joe Vasapoli, Jeff has built Farragut Partners into a premier DC lobbying firm. A Louisiana native, Jeff resides in Washington, DC with his wife Nicole.

Dr. Wade is a proud Virginian, and proud to be a board-certified oncologist with the Virginia Cancer Institute. He advocates our unique mix of cutting-edge research and compassionate care that make VCI a celebrated institution 
in Central Virginia. His clinical and research interests are pancreatic, lung and colon malignancies.

Dr. Wade is a Richmond native and received his medical training entirely in and around the Central Virginia area. Beginning with a BA from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA in 1995, he returned to Richmond to earn his MD from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in 2001. He then remained at VCU Medical Center to complete both a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology/oncology. He is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and is a member of the Medical Society of Virginia, the Richmond Academy of Medicine and the American Association of Clinical Oncology. He has been a physician with the Virginia Cancer Institute since 2007. He sees patients at our Mechanicsville location.

Outside the office, Dr. Wade enjoys spending time with his family at their Richmond home. Staying in shape is important to him. You’re likely to find him rooting for his alma mater—UVA—courtside, at the stadium or on television. He’d like to assure his Hokie-fan patients that there are no teams when it comes to cancer treatment. He treats all his patients like family—even Virginia Tech fans.

Dr. Wade’s Patient Care Philosophy:

“It makes me proud that the Virginia Cancer Institute can offer our patients state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, new treatment and still treat every patient like a family member.”

EDUCATION

•BA, 1995, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

•MD, 2001, VCU School of Medicine, Richmond, VA

RESIDENCY

•Internal Medicine, VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA, 2001—2004

FELLOWSHIP

•Hematology/Oncology, VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA, 2005—2007

BOARD CERTIFICATIONS

•Virginia Board of Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, and ABIM Medical Oncology

Sarah Walter has spent the last 20 years working on a variety of issues across the health care spectrum.

From 1994 to 2003, Ms. Walter worked in the Washington office of United States Senator John Breaux (D-LA). Ms. Walter handled a broad range of issues, with a focus on health care policy, while serving as the Senator’s Legislative Director and Chief Counsel beginning in 1999.

In her role as Chief Counsel, Ms. Walter advised Senator Breaux in his capacity as Chief Deputy Whip and as a member of three influential Senate committees (Finance; Commerce, Science and Transportation; and Rules). She served as Senator Breaux’s principal advisor in his role as the Chairman of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare and played a key role in the passage of the landmark Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003.

Ms. Walter was also involved in passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999, and the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000. Ms. Walter advised Senator Breaux on several other critical pieces of legislation including the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001, the Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002, and the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

As the key Democratic staffer for the Senate Centrist Coalition, co-chaired by Senator Breaux and Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine, Ms. Walter has built a strong network of associates and policymakers on both sides of the political aisle. In 2007, Ms. Walter was named by National Journal as one of the top Democratic health care lobbyists in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Walter joined Senator Breaux’s office after earning her Masters Degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas and working at an Austin-based public affairs firm, Public Strategies, Inc. She worked in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office for a year and a half before becoming projects correspondent in Senator Breaux’s D.C. office in 1994. In 1999, she earned her J.D. with honors from the George Washington University School of Law while working for Senator Breaux.

Ms. Walter joined the firm as a Partner in 2016. She received a B.A. in Communications from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. She lives in McLean, Virginia with her husband and three children.

Jeanine Ewing, PharmD, BCOP, is a Board-Certified Clinical Oncology Pharmacist who is the clinical formulary management lead at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute. With a PharmD from South University and foundational studies at Wayne State University, she brings a diverse background in retail, hospital, and oncology pharmacy across Kentucky and Florida. Since joining FCS in 2021, Jeanine evaluates emerging cancer therapies and presents the clinical data to the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, driving evidence-based decisions across the organization. She then develops the clinical education and updates for providers and clinical staff for dissemination throughout the practice.

Sherry L. Vogt, PharmD, BCOP, is currently the system clinical pharmacy manager at Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Before joining Hollings, Dr Vogt began her pharmacy career at the James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University in Columbus. While at the James, she helped develop numerous outpatient oncology clinics and further expand inpatient medical oncology services. In the outpatient setting, she has spent a majority of her career within the genitourinary medical oncology space, and she continued her role within this disease state when she joined Hollings Cancer Center. Dr Vogt enjoys teaching didactically at the College of Pharmacy, and she is a preceptor for PGY1 and PGY2 pharmacy residents. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, training for ultra relay races, and watching her 2 boys play soccer and hockey.