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Neuro-Oncology Branch Celebrates Nurses Week

Our nurse practitioners, research nurses, and nurse scientists make tireless contributions to provide the best care for our brain and spine tumor patients.

By Neuro-Oncology Branch Staff

May 1, 2024

 

In celebration of Nurses Week from May 6 to 12, we recognize the research nurses, clinical nurse practitioners, and nurse scientists at the NCI Center for Cancer Research's Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) who care for people with brain and spine tumors. We are thankful for their contributions to improving the lives of all the patients and caregivers who visit our Neuro-Oncology Clinic at the NIH Clinical Center.

Our Nurse Practitioners

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Lisa Boris
Lisa Boris


Lisa Boris works closely with other nurse practitioners and research nurses at the NOB to care for brain and spine tumor patients participating in our treatment trials. Her longstanding experience with the Branch and significant expertise in caring for this specific group of people and their loved ones has helped her gain a deep understanding of their needs.

“Our patients deserve high-quality care in a research environment that investigates new and improved techniques to hopefully lengthen their lives while also improving their quality of life,” Boris says. Regardless of where patients come from, Boris values being able to impact their lives in a positive way.

 

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Marissa Panzer
Marissa Panzer


Nurse Practitioner Marissa Panzer cares for people with brain and spine tumors as part of our NCI-CONNECT clinical team, providing care to those with rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors.

“In addition to caring for patients, I like to provide a space where families and caregivers know that I care about what they are feeling,” Panzer says. “When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it affects their entire world, including their families. I want to make sure that families, friends, and caregivers know that I hear their concerns and that I am going to address their concerns to the best of my ability.”

 

 

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Tina Pillai
Tina Pillai

As a nurse practitioner at the NOB, Tina Pillai provides care and support to our patients who have brain and spine tumors. Her primary role is to deliver patient care, build strong relationships with our patients and families, share updates, and follow up on patients’ concerns.

“I am inspired by our rare tumor patients who are confronted with tough decisions interwoven into the fragility of life,” Pillai says. “They teach me on a daily basis to value moments and relationships, and I am driven to provide the best possible care and comfort during their most challenging periods.”     

 

     

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Lily Polskin
Lily Polskin

Nurse Practitioner Lily Polskin collaborates with research nurses, fellow nurse practitioners, and physicians at the NOB to care for patients with brain and spine tumors enrolled on treatment trials. She says she enjoys learning from her coworkers about how to best care for patients.

“I am amazed by the strength, determination, and grit that our patients and their families demonstrate throughout the course of their diagnosis and illness,” she adds. “I strive to do what I can to improve their quality of life.” 

Our Research Nurses

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Kathleen Wall
Kathleen Wall

As the research nurse for our NCI-CONNECT program, Kathleen Wall manages clinical studies that focus on new treatments for patients with especially rare brain and spine tumors. NCI-CONNECT focuses on 13 rare tumor types and uses patient advocacy and provider partnerships to improve approaches to care and treatment.

“To be diagnosed and live with a rare disease is so difficult for our patients, and yet they continue to overcome so many challenges,” Wall says. “I know that I am only a small part of their entire journey, but I strive to make their time with us a positive experience and support them the best I can.” Read more about her work >

     

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Kelly Mentges
Kelly Mentges

As a research nurse with the NOB, Kelly Fernandez is responsible for ensuring the integrity of clinical trials and following patients who are enrolled in these studies. She ensures patient safety and that they stay on track with their treatments. She also supports patients through the clinical trial process. Her background as an emergency room nurse contributes to her ability to adapt to each person’s needs and communicate effectively with them.

“I love that each patient interaction provides an opportunity to improve the lives of a patient or their family member—even if it is doing something small like just taking the time to listen to them about how they are doing,” Mentges says. She believes that all the small interactions, even a smile, can add up to great patient care.

            
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Research Nurse Tricia Kunst
Tricia Kunst

Tricia Kunst has been an oncology research nurse at NIH for over two decades. She joined the NOB in February 2022 in order to continue pursuing her passion for caring for cancer patients and their families. 

“Patients with brain and spine tumors have cognitive, functional, and physiological limitations due to their disease, which makes their life journey very challenging,” Kunst says. “I hope to help patients and their loved ones in any way I can—sometimes just an ear to listen to their hardships or a friendly smile can help.” Read more about her work >

            

 

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Headshot of Christine McGowan
Christine McGowan

Christine McGowan is another integral member of the NOB clinical care team. She believes compassionate communications can make patients feel comfortable, hopeful, and confident with the research team. She takes great care to help patients through the clinical trial process.

“Clinical trials are important because they lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s medicine,” she says. “Most cancer patients who seek help in a research setting are dealing with very serious illness and have been told by outside hospitals that there is nothing for them. I have found that it’s so important to never lose sight of the person behind the illness.”
                 

Renee Tweneboah-Koduah is a research nurse who joined the NOB in 2023.

Our Nurse Scientists

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Dr. Terri Armstrong
Terri Armstrong


Terri Armstrong, Ph.D., NOB senior investigator, strives to understand the impact that brain and spine tumors and treatments have on patients. Dr. Armstrong also is actively involved in training staff and students.

“I have lost some of my closest family members to cancer and had the privilege to care for countless patients over 30 years of practice," she says. "Now, working with dedicated colleagues in a collaborative effort to improve how patients feel and function through their disease and treatment is what motivates me each day." Read more about her work >

                     

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Macy Stockdill
Macy Stockdill

Macy Stockdill, Ph.D., is both a postdoctoral fellow and a nurse scientist. Her research focuses on reducing symptom burden and improving quality of life for primary brain or spine tumor patients, as well as their caregivers. As a member of Dr. Armstrong's team, Dr. Stockdill develops targeted, effective, and culturally-responsive symptom management interventions.

“Individuals living with central nervous system tumors experience significant symptom burden, including physical, psychological, and neuropsychological symptoms. This poses a unique challenge for the family caregivers who are seeking to help their loved ones through their diagnosis,” Dr. Stockdill says. Her goal is to ensure both the care recipient and caregiver are included in her research, in hopes of ultimately improving the quality of life for both parties.

 
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Headshot of Michelle Wright
Michelle Wright


Michelle Wright, Ph.D., is interested in understanding how a person’s biology and environment influence their experience with illnesses and symptoms. As a member of Dr. Armstrong's team, her goal is to develop new approaches for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. 

“My favorite thing about being a nurse scientist is that we get to work with patients and health care providers to develop research projects answering important questions,” she says. “We can then build on these studies to develop interventions that will improve quality of life and care for patients. It’s a really amazing feeling to help patients thrive through our discoveries.” Read more about her work >

 

     

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Headshot of Tara Davis
Tara Davis

Tara Davis, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Armstrong’s lab. She studies the biomarkers associated with physical functioning in primary brain tumor patients. "What I enjoy most about being a nurse scientist is working in a collaborative environment to bridge the gap between the bedside and bench," she says. "As a nurse, I get to use my past clinical experience and knowledge to ask important questions that are important to patients."

 

   

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