Life with Cancer Staff List
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Jodi Blonski, Development Specialist
Jodi joined Life with Cancer in August 2008 as Development Specialist. She earned a bachelor’s in public communication and public administration from American University in Washington, D.C. where she currently resides. She works on Life with Cancer fundraising, special events, and stewardship. She began here career working for a private event planner where she found a passion for planning events and joined Life with Cancer in the hope of making a difference through healthcare.
Sage Bolte, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Metastatic Breast Cancer Counselor
Sage came to Life with Cancer in June 2004, after completing two years of psychosocial oncology research and patient care at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. Sage joined the staff to help develop a program that specifically addresses the needs of the women, men and families impacted by metastatic breast cancer. Sage provides individual, couples and family counseling and facilitates several support groups including the breast, metastatic breast and young adult groups. Her areas of interests and expertise are sexuality and cancer and the various issues that face those both those with metastatic disease and the young adult population. She received her master’s in social work from the University of Michigan and is graduating in May 2010 with a Ph.D. of social work from The Catholic University, in Washington, DC. Originally from the West Coast, Sage resides in Fairfax County with her husband, Jeff and sons Gavin and Jecen.
Drucilla Brethwaite, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Oncology Counselor
Drucilla joined the Life with Cancer staff in October 1998 as an oncology counselor, providing psychosocial services to patients and their families to promote adjustment to illness and improved quality of life. Areas of expertise include caregivers, transplant, end of life, palliative care, and grief/bereavement. Drucilla co-facilitates a number of support groups including the Leukemia Group, BMT/Stem Cell Group, Partners in Care Group, and Good Grief Bereavement Group, as well as provides individual and family counseling. In collaboration with colleagues she has helped create programs on Exploring Mind-Body Techniques, Couples Facing Cancer and Creating a Legacy. She earned a master’s in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University and is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Drucilla is also an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University, teaching in the Social Work Department.
Paul Clark, PhD, LCSW, Oncology Counselor
Paul is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than two decades of practical experience in health and mental health. He joined the Life with Cancer staff as an oncology counselor in June 2005. He holds a master's degree in social work from Norfolk State University and a Ph.D. in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. When working part-time at Life with Cancer, Paul facilitates or co-facilitates a support group for people living with lung cancer and melanoma, and is an active member of the Life with Cancer Research Committee. Paul has research interests in health literacy, distress, and health disparities among people with cancer and their families. When not at Life with Cancer, Paul is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at George Mason University.
Eric Cohen, RN, BSN, OCN, Patient/Family Education Program Manager
Eric came to Life with Cancer in January 2004 after working as an oncology and bone marrow transplant nurse on the inpatient unit of the Inova Fairfax Cancer Center. As Program Manager of Patient and Family Education, Eric meets with both inpatients and outpatients to discuss their diagnosis, treatment plan, management of side-effects and available resources. Eric is also responsible for developing Life with Cancer’s Web site, social media outlets, and patient teaching materials that are currently used throughout Inova Health System. Additionally, he specializes in issues that young adults with cancer face. Eric is an Oncology Certified Nurse Educator, and is an active member of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) where he is currently serving at the national level on the ONS Nominating Committee.
Connie Connor, MSW, LCSW, Pediatric Counselor
Connie joined the Life with Cancer staff as the pediatric oncology social worker in September 2004 after working for five years as one of the inpatient Social Workers on the Pediatric Oncology Unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital. In her current position, Connie provides support and education to children with cancer and their families during and after treatment for childhood cancer. In addition to seeing families in the clinic setting, Connie is a member of the multidisciplinary late effects and neuro oncology clinics. Connie also runs a monthly Pediatric Oncology Parent Night, which includes speakers on a variety of treatment related concerns, co-facilitates a monthly Parent Bereavement group, and conducts annual conferences on late effects for teen and young adult survivors of childhood cancer and their parents. Connie received her bachelor's in social work in 1972 from Boise State University and her master's in social welfare with a concentration in direct services in aging from the University of California, Berkeley in 1982. Connie has more than 35 years of experience including five previous positions in adult oncology in California and Idaho as well as working as a therapist in community mental health programs in California and Kentucky.
Deborah Cook, RN, Oncology Nurse Education Coordinator
Deborah joined the Life with Cancer team in the spring of 2004 as a 10 year Inova Health System veteran. After graduating from Georgetown University Nursing School, she spent the next 24 years of her career practicing in various critical care specialties as clinician, educator and manager. A breast cancer diagnosis catalyzed a career move into oncology where in 1999 Deborah helped define and grow the breast care program at Inova Fairfax Hospital as the Breast Care Program Coordinator. Her passion has led to speaking in the community on her oncology nursing knowledge and survivorship. In 2007, Deborah expanded her role as oncology patient educator to include all cancer diagnoses; co-facilitating support groups, meeting with both in and out patients to discuss their diagnosis, treatment plan, management of side effects, survivorship plans, and resources. She has developed and grown Life with Cancer education programs at Inova Loudoun and Fair Oaks Hospitals and in the surrounding communities. Deborah is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and co-founder of the National Coalition of Oncology Nurse Navigators. Since 1999, Deborah has been active in her church as Area Lay Pastor for Healing and Prayer, leader of medical missions to Uganda and a member of the Spiritual Council.
Geronima Cortese-Jimenez, RN, OCN, MPH, Nurse Educator
Prior to joining Life with Cancer in January 2007, Geronima worked on a solid tumor/gynecological cancer unit at Georgetown University hospital. She received her master’s in public health from the George Washington University in August 2000 and presented her thesis on how complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) help breast cancer patients’ quality of life. A Reiki Master since April 2000, Geronima has a deep interest in integrative medicine. She gives various presentations on CAM and cancer. She is a registered nurse who is also oncology certified through the Oncology Nursing Society. Geronima speaks to community groups and facilitates support groups for patients with gynecological, lung and breast cancers. As an oncology nurse educator, Geronima meets with both in-and out-patients to discuss their diagnosis, treatment plan, management of side-effects and available resources in English and Spanish.
Darah W. Curran, MSW, Oncology Counselor
Darah joined Life with Cancer in September 2009 after a year-long internship with the organization. She works part-time at INOVA’s pediatric oncology clinic providing psychosocial support to families. Darah works additional hours with adults providing both inpatient and outpatient counseling. She co-facilitates the Parenting Alone group and Off-therapy group for children. Darah received her master’s in social work from Catholic University after having worked in home-based family counseling for 10 years. Â
Jennifer Eckert, MSW, LCSW, Children’s Program Manager
Jenny began work at Life with Cancer in September 2001. She came from East Carolina University School of Medicine where she was a pediatric hematology/oncology social worker in the outpatient clinic. She also worked as a social worker in the emergency department for 13 years. Jenny's employment history includes work with the Public Health Department as well as the Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic. She has a master’s in social work from East Carolina University.
Paulina Escobar. Hispanic Program Coordinator
Paulina has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from The University of Chile, Santiago –Chile. Her area of expertise for more than 20 years was in the treatment and counseling of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders. She was a founder and former president of the Chilean Association for Continence. She also worked for 12 years with terminally ill patients and was a member of a hospice care team. She moved to the United States in 2003 and got her master’s in personal and professional life coaching. She is also a Reiki Master and has several years of experience in energy work and mind/body therapies. She has a strong passion to serve and empower others and to support people in their healing journeys. Paulina joined Life with Cancer in 2007 by LWC to create and develop the Spanish program. Today Paulina not only coordinates the Spanish program but also facilitates support groups and emotional support sessions for cancer patients and their families.
Suzanne Freeman, MSW, Oncology Counselor
Suzanne comes to us with 15 years of experience working in hospitals in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. She spent five years in North Carolina at UNC Hospitals working in their HIV/AIDS clinic. She made her way to Reston Hospital where she worked on the oncology service and co-facilitated a breast cancer support group. She joined the Life with Cancer staff in February 2008 where she works part-time, primarily at Inova Fairfax Hospital, providing counseling and support for inpatients and their families. She also co-facilitates the colorectal cancer support group. Suzanne received her bachelor’s in social work from North Carolina State University and her master’s in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sabine Gnesdiloff, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Program Manager
Sabine is one of the initial Life with Cancer staff members, having been with the organization since February 1989. Prior to that, she was a social worker in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital. She earned her master’s in social work in 1987 from Catholic University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Oncology Social Worker. Sabine has developed and facilitated many of the groups and programs offered at Life with Cancer, and has a special interest in survivorship, complementary therapies, and bereavement. She is responsible for the clinical services and groups provided by the Life with Cancer staff, seeing the clinicians’ role as supporting and empowering patients in their care and choices. Originally from Germany, Sabine spent 20 years in California where she was a reference librarian at Stanford University and other San Francisco Bay area libraries, before moving to the East Coast in the 1980’s. She also holds master’s in library science and German literature, from the California State University System, as well as a bachelor’s degree in international relations. Sabine lives in the woods of Great Falls, Virginia, with her husband John and is the proud mother of two wonderful and well-travelled daughters (Sascha and Kira) and delighted grandmother of Maya.
Gordon Hay, MSW, MPA, Director
Gordon joined the Inova Health System in 1987 to start Life with Cancer. In his capacity as Director, Gordon manages a 24-member board of directors made up of prominent community residents and a staff comprised of nurses, social workers, development personnel, counselors, and a business manager. Gordon did his graduate studies in community organizing, at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning and at George Washington University where he majored in organization and management. Prior to his employment with Inova Health System, he worked as Associate Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, where he provided technical assistance to the Foundation’s local and statewide affiliates across the country. He also served in prior years as Executive Director of a regional youth service agency that served abused, neglected and runaway children. Gordon resides in Falls Church with his wife and two sons.
Catherine Intartaglia, MSW, Volunteer Program Manager
Catherine joined Life with Cancer in February 1997. She earned a master’s in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1981, with a concentration in health care and group work. In addition to her work as Life with Cancer’s volunteer program manager, Catherine maintains a limited practice as a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, a position she has enjoyed since 1986. She lives in Northern Virginia and has three children, Benjamin, Jonathan, and Janie. Catherine is originally from Brooklyn, NY.
Erin Kirkpatrick, Side-Out Grant Coordinator
Erin joined Life with Cancer in September 2009. She works with the Side-Out Foundation Grant to achieve outreach and communications goals, particularly in the area of breast cancer education and awareness, as well as social media and Web site development. Erin brings with her boutique and full service agency as well as non-profit public relations and communications experience, particularly concentrated in the healthcare industry. Erin received her bachelor’s in communications and public relations from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Marsha Komandt, RN, BSN, OCN, Oncology Education Coordinator
Before coming to work at Life with Cancer in 1990, Marsha worked as a nurse on the oncology unit at Inova Fairfax Hospital for eight years. She is currently one of the Oncology Education Coordinators at Life with Cancer and is an Oncology Certified Nurse. Marsha is a Buckeye, having graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in nursing. In her now part-time status, she oversees the Life with Cancer Family Center Library, two exercise programs and the Living with Breast Cancer program series of education and exercise. She also facilitates the Spirituality Quest Group and co-facilitates the Leukemia Group. Marsha is active in her church as the Health and Wellness Coordinator, having taken the certification course in Parish Nursing at Shenandoah University. She also participates in the community as a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, Wolf Trap, and with the local chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society, of which she is a past-president.
VerĂłnica MartĂnez, MS, CPHL, Hispanic Outreach Coordinator
Veronica’s started her career in nursing 26 years ago working on the oncology floor at D.C.’s Children’s Hospital after earning her bachelor’s in nursing from George Mason University. Her clinical experience focused on families and children in acute care as well as primary care settings. Working at Inova’s Pediatric Center for many years, Veronica witnessed considerable health disparities in their largely Hispanic population. This prompted a need for more advanced practice skills to better understand and address these issues. Veronica earned her master’s in nursing in community and public health nursing from the University of Virginia in 2006. She is board-certified as a Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. Veronica views cancer, especially Hispanics with cancer, from a community perspective. She is delighted to have the opportunity to blend her passions for Hispanic health advocacy, health promotion, and complementary body-mind therapies. Her current role as Outreach Coordinator for LWC’s Hispanic programs ties all of these pieces together with the goal of eliminating barriers to our support services. Veronica resides in Herndon with her children.
Jean McCaw, MA, ATR-BC, Art Therapist
Jean joined Life with Cancer in August 2008. She is a registered and board certified art therapist and earned her master’s degree from Vermont College of Norwich University. She has worked with children, teens and families for more than 20 years and has provided art therapy in a variety of settings. Prior to joining Life with Cancer, Jean was in private practice and for many years managed the Child & Adolescent Program for a large hospice. Through Life with Cancer and a grant from the Tracy’s Kids Foundation, Jean has implemented an art therapy program for children and teens who are in treatment for cancer. She also co-leads support groups for children and teens who have a family member affected by cancer. She lives in Northern Virginia with her 3 sons, Alex, Luke and Graham.
Joanne Royaltey, MBA, GPC, Director of Development
Joanne, a transplanted New Yorker, came to Life with Cancer in May 2008. Her bachelor’s in Chemistry and an MBA were the basis for teaching at the high school and college level, as well as, Information Technology Project Management. But it was her daughter’s five-year battle with cancer that changed Joanne’s life and career in ways that she could never have imagined. After her daughter passed away, Joanne began a career in community outreach and grant writing as a way pay back all the help that she and her daughter had received. She founded “Faith in Action of the Northern Shenandoah Valley,” whose volunteers provide transportation to medical appointments and other supportive services for cancer patients. Next, she became the visionary behind “Wellspring - A Source for Living with Cancer” to help cancer patients live with, through and beyond their cancer. As the Director of Development at Life with Cancer, Joanne has come full circle, to help the health care organization that cared for her daughter. Her responsibilities include all aspects of fundraising for Life with Cancer - prospect and proposal management, stewardship and relationship management to cultivate annual, long-term and major gift support. Joanne is enjoying learning about the Northern Virginia region and being nearer to her daughter and three grand daughters.
Shara Sosa, MSW, LCSW, Oncology Counselor
Shara joined Life with Cancer in January 1999. She provides outpatient counseling at the Life with Cancer Family Center and at the Inova Alexandria Cancer Center. She also co-facilitates a variety of support and education groups in these locations. Shara meets with inpatients at Inova Fairfax Hospital and also presents at community agencies and national conferences. Shara continues to work at Life with Cancer part-time so that she may spend more time raising her family.
Christy Stone, Administrative Specialist
Christy joined Life with Cancer in August 2008. She has previously worked in the private school system as a Physical Education Director and as an office assistant for a local rehabilitation center. Christy attended university in Hawaii for two years and spent time in Micronesia and the Philippines for school outreach assignments. Christy has returned to the classroom and is currently working on her bachelor’s in community health with a specialty in health education at George Mason University.
Micheline Toussaint, MSW, LCSW, RYT, Oncology Counselor
Micheline is an Oncology Counselor at Life with Cancer. A social worker for more than 20 years, Micheline developed an interest in complementary mind-body approaches to healing while growing up overseas in Asia. In addition to being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she is a Registered Yoga Teacher, a Certified Psychodramatist, and a Certified End-of-Life Counselor. At Life with Cancer she provides individual, couples and family counseling for cancer patients and their loved ones. She helped develop a mind-body education series, leads yoga and meditation classes for patients and caregivers, facilitates support groups, and speaks to community groups about issues related to cancer. Micheline has a particular interest in using mind-body practices to strengthen resiliency in cancer patients and their caregivers.
Vernell Walker, Administrative Specialist
Vernell joined Life with Cancer in March 2008. She previously worked at Prince William Hospital in Manassas, VA in the emergency department for children. Vernell is currently attending Northern Virginia Community College for nursing.
Christine Weaver, Business Manager
Christa came to Life with Cancer in November 2006 as Business Manager. She began her career with Inova in 1994 as a Child Care Assistant in the Inova Fair Oaks Hospital Child Care Center. Since then, she has also worked as an Administrative Coordinator in Patient Relations and Radiology at IFOH. Christa has an MBA with a concentration in Management. She resides in Ashburn with her son, Devin.
Saundra Weller, MSW, LCSW Program Coordinator/Oncology Counselor
Saundra Weller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 30 years of health care experience. She graduated from the University of Maryland at Baltimore with her master’s of social work and a specialization in health care. Her work experience has consisted of working in small and large hospital systems providing psychosocial services to inpatients and families dealing with illness adjustment. She has also worked for hospice and palliative care providing counseling and education services for patients and their families facing end-of-life issues. She has expertise in grief and loss and facilitation of bereavement support groups. Saundra joined Life with Cancer in January 2007 to expand Life with Cancer programs and counseling services to Inova Loudoun Hospital and Inova Fair Oaks Communities. Saundra also teaches as an adjunct professor for George Mason University Social Work Department.
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