It is a privilege to have the opportunity to continue my position on the board of NNECOS. I continue to be impressed by the quality of NNECOS meetings and educational programs. It brings together a diverse community of oncology practitioners from around the region in a nurturing and supportive environment. Especially when we are geographically dispersed, the chance to meet with our peers in person and virtually is invaluable.

After graduating from SUNY Upstate University in Syracuse, I trained in Internal Medicine and Oncology/Hematology at the University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital. There I received not just superior medical training, but a humanistic education. I have been with New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology since graduation. I practice in both our Concord office and in our Londonderry Dana-Farber satellite office. Being in these two locations gives me insight into different models of care within oncology. Both models offer great opportunities to optimize patient care.

I have served as the Medical Director of our Londonderry site for 10 years and of the Concord site for two years. This entails working with on-site leadership on day-to-day issues, and for Dana-Farber interacting with the broader satellite leadership group. The relationship with Dana-Farber has created an abundance of opportunities for our practice as we forge deeper ties with individual providers and the institute as a whole. I serve as the treasurer of our practice, as well as on the board of our profit sharing plan. I continue yearly participation in Pedaling for Payson, the cycling fundraiser for our Concord cancer center. I have served in an advisory position on the AntiCancer Lifestyle program that has grown from a local offering to a robust online resource. 

I look forward to another term on the NNECOS board.

Jeanna H. Walsh, MD

Medical Director, Concord Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Care and Dana-Farber/New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology

Dr. Boland grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and completed medical school at the University of Minnesota and residency at NYU Langone. He completed his Hematology and Oncology fellowship at Lineberger Cancer Center with the University of North Carolina. Dr. Boland currently works at New England Cancer Specialists in Westbrook and Topsham locations. He helps facilitate the molecular tumor board through Jackson Laboratory and serves as Associate Director of Research.

In his free time, Dr. Boland loves to read and also enjoys running, hiking, and trying new local restaurants.

Patrick Boland, MD

New England Cancer Specialists Medical Hematology/Oncology Affiliate Physician | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dr. Ivy Riano is a thoracic oncologist at Dartmouth Cancer Center in Lebanon, NH, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. She completed her hematology and oncology fellowship at Dartmouth Cancer Center, where she now leads clinical and research efforts focused on developing innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Her work includes the use of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies. She has published on key topics in lung cancer immunotherapy and currently serves as Co-Chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Stage I–IIIA NSCLC Guideline Update.

Dr. Riano is actively involved in clinical research at Dartmouth Cancer Center—the only NCI-designated cancer center in New Hampshire—where she is committed to improving cancer care for patients in rural and underserved communities in the New England area.

In addition to her clinical and research roles, Dr. Riano is a dedicated member of the ASCO Trainee & Early Career Advisory Group and currently serves as the Early-Career Oncologist Liaison to the ASCO State Affiliate Council (term 2023–2025). Her involvement with ASCO has been instrumental in shaping her leadership in oncology, providing a national platform to advocate for equitable cancer care, support early-career oncologists, and promote cross-institutional collaboration.

Since the beginning of her fellowship, Dr. Riano has been an active member of NNECOS. She has contributed to the organization through her participation in the Palliative Care Symposium Planning Committees (2024 and 2025) and currently serves on the NNECOS Advocacy Task Force. As part of her advocacy efforts, she traveled to Capitol Hill in both 2024 and 2025 to meet with lawmakers from New Hampshire, voicing support for policies that improve cancer care and patient outcomes. In recognition of her leadership and advocacy, Dr. Riano was named a 2025 ASCO Advocacy Champion, an honor awarded to members who go above and beyond in promoting policies that benefit cancer patients and the broader oncology community. Her ongoing engagement reflects a deep commitment to the mission of NNECOS and to advancing cancer care across the Northern New England region.

 

Ivy Riano, MD

Thoracic Oncology - Dartmouth Cancer Center Assistant Professor of Medicine - Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine

I am an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, where my clinical work focuses on the care of patients with hematologic malignancies. My research centers on understanding and addressing disparities in access to care, particularly among rural populations. I have a strong interest in narrative medicine and its role in amplifying patient perspectives to help reduce health inequities.

In addition to my clinical and research efforts, I serve as Medical Director for the Inpatient Hematology and Medical Oncology service, Divisional Quality Leader for Hematology and Medical Oncology, and Course Director for the Larner College of Medicine’s Professionalism, Communication, and Reflections course.

At the core of my professional philosophy is a commitment to humanism in medicine—ensuring that care remains deeply patient-centered, compassionate, and equitable.

 

Sakshi Jasra, MD

Medical Director, Inpatient Hematology and Medical Oncology Service - The University of Vermont Medical Center Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology - Larner College of

Dr. Sarah Sinclair is the Medical Director of hematology & medical oncology at Northern Light Cancer Care (NLCC) and Medical Director of clinical research at NLCC. She joined Northern Light Cancer Care in 2010 after completing her fellowship training in hematology/oncology at the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (NIH/NCI). Prior to fellowship training, she finished her internal medicine residency at the University of Connecticut.

Dr. Sinclair has been deeply committed to clinical research, which began during her fellowship at NIH/NCI, participating in multiple clinical trials with an emphasis on breast cancer. She is the principal investigator (PI) for Alliance clinical trials in Oncology at NLCC where she is PI for more than 50 Alliance/cooperative group studies. She has contributed to the development of genomic research at her institution. She is the PI at NLCC for Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) in collaboration with Jackson Labs (JAX) and several other investigators throughout Maine. Dr. Sinclair is a steering committee member, Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI), Jackson Laboratory, an active member of the IRB at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center since 2020, and also previously served on the board of directors for the Alliance.

Candidate Statement

Thank you for nominating me for consideration to serve on the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society Board of Directors. I would be honored to serve on the NNECOS board. I value collaboration and understand the importance of it to advance the care of patients. I have been a member of NNECOS since joining Northern Light Cancer Care in 2010. I enjoyed attending the 2024 fall meeting to assist my research team in presenting our poster, “Development of a Genomic Tumor testing process to expand access to Genomic Clinical Trials in Rural Maine”. It was great to see so many excellent posters with participation from multiple institutions throughout New England. NNECOS provides an excellent avenue for networking and education. I look forward to attending and participating in upcoming meetings.

Sarah Sinclair, DO

Medical Director of Hematology & Medical Oncology Medical Director of Clinical Research Northern Light Cancer Care

Dear NNECOS Members,

I appreciate this opportunity to be considered for the NNECOS Board of Directors. Thank you for your nomination. I have been fortunate to serve as a NNECOS Board Member for the past 3 years since 2022. I am so proud to be part of this organization. We are unique in northern New England to have a vast geographic catchment area spanning our three states, with a large rural patient population and outstanding community and academic oncology centers. The patients we serve face unique challenges related to rurality, geography, and weather. The programs and services supported by NNECOS provide patient support and philanthropy, education for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, students, and trainees, research funding for new treatments and a deeper understanding of disease, and a community for New England cancer providers to come together. Over the past three years, I have been part of the Student Research Grants subcommittee, the Programs and Services Steering Committee, and the Annual Meeting Planning Committee, as well as my service on the Board, and I continue to be honored and humbled by the great work of this organization.

As a bit of background, I am a neuro-oncologist at the University of Vermont Medical Center and an Associate Professor of Neurological Sciences at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine. I care for patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors and neurologic complications of cancer. My research interests are in therapeutic clinical trials for brain tumors and health access for patients living in rural communities. I am a director beneficiary of NNECOS, as a grant recipient for my multi-site work on venous thromboembolism prevention for patients with brain tumors in collaboration with the University of Vermont, Maine Health, and Dartmouth Hitchcock. In addition to my brain tumor work, I am passionate about medical education. I serve as the Residency Program Director for the UVM neurology residency, and three of my students have been supported by NNECOS Student Grants. Outside of NNECOS, I am the Vice-Chair of the Neuro-Oncology Section at the American Academy of Neurology and the co-chair of the Early Career and Trainee working group and the External Relations Committee at the Society for Neuro-Oncology. I have deep roots in New England. I grew up in a small town in western Maine, attended Bowdoin College, and completed my Neurology Residency at Dartmouth. After a brief foray into the city for fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, I returned to New England to join the faculty at UVM, with a goal of providing neuro-oncology care for patients in northern New England.

I would be delighted to continue my service to the NNECOS board for another term. I will uphold the NNECOS mission of providing the highest quality care for patients through professional networking, education, and research. Thank you for your consideration.

Alissa A. Thomas, MD

Neuro-oncologist - The University of Vermont Medical Center Associate Professor of Neurological Sciences - University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine

Anne Ireland is an accomplished oncology nursing leader with more than three decades of experience advancing cancer care, nursing practice, and professional education. She currently serves as Oncology Clinical Specialist with the Oncology Nursing Society, supporting the development of resources, education, and institutional partnerships that elevate oncology nursing practice nationwide.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ireland has held senior leadership roles at City of Hope National Medical Center and University of Vermont Medical Center, where she directed ambulatory and inpatient oncology services, led large-scale Epic electronic health record implementations, and guided professional practice innovations to improve patient outcomes and the care experience.

A dedicated member of the Oncology Nursing Society since 1990, she has twice served as Director-at-Large on the ONS Board of Directors and held multiple leadership positions at the national and chapter levels. She is widely recognized for her expertise in oncology nursing leadership, professional practice, and informatics, and has presented nationally and internationally on topics including resilience, moral courage, and incivility in nursing.

During her years in Vermont and since her return from California in 2021, Anne was an active member of NNECOS and promoted oncology nursing involvement in the organization and presentations at the meetings. Anne served on the NNECOS Board from 2002-2005.

Dr. Ireland holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New Brunswick. She is certified as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse and in Executive Nursing Practice.

Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including Congressional Hero of the Year (2021) and City of Hope Mentor of the Year (2021).

Anne Ireland, DNP, RN, AOCN, CENP

Oncology Clinical Specialist Oncology Nursing Society

Katie Graffam is a dedicated oncology nurse and seasoned healthcare leader with over 15 years of clinical experience and more than a decade in leadership roles. An active NNECOS member since 2021 and NAHPAC participant, she has engaged in both Annual and Spring Meetings, contributing to initiatives that advance oncology practice across Northern New England. As Clinic Director at New England Cancer Specialists, Katie leads multidisciplinary teams, drives quality and operational improvements, and implements educational programs to enhance patient care. She is eager to bring her clinical expertise, strategic leadership, and collaborative approach to the NNECOS Board of Directors—helping shape policy, strengthen governance, advocate for the Society, mentor emerging leaders, and ensure NNECOS continues to grow as a trusted resource for oncology professionals in the region.

Katie Graffam, MSN, RN

Clinic Director, New England Cancer Specialists

Nicholas Jensen is a Senior Genetic Counselor with the Familial Cancer Program at the Dartmouth Health system. Nicholas graduated with his Master’s degree in Genetic Counseling from Arcadia University in 2018 and began working at the University of Pennsylvania Chester County Hospital Cancer Center as the sole genetic counselor for the satellite UPenn clinic. In this role, he oversaw the development of a clinical workflow for the genetics program while providing genetic counseling for patients with a wide array of personal and/or family histories of cancer.

In the Spring of 2020, Nicholas began working at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center after moving to his wife’s hometown of Hanover, NH. In the winter of 2022, he was promoted to Senior Genetic Counselor and since that time has overseen the hiring and training of seven new graduate genetic counselors. Together, Nicholas and his team perform cancer genetic counseling for patients across areas of Vermont, New Hampshire, parts of Massachusetts, and parts of New York, with in-person visits offered in New Hampshire at the Lebanon, Manchester, and Nashua Dartmouth Health clinics.

Nicholas serves on the NNECOS Allied Health Professional Advisory Committee (NAHPAC) and was the chair of the 2025 Spring Meeting planning committee. He is also the current chair of the NNECOS Educational Program Grant Task Force and has participated in several NNECOS events, including his presentation at the 2021 Annual Meeting titled Precision Medicine in Oncology – A Genetic Counselor’s Perspective, as well as sitting as a panel speaker both in 2023 and the upcoming 2025 Annual Meetings.

Candidate Statement:

I continue to find new ways to contribute to and benefit from the NNECOS community, both through collaborative discussion as a genetic counselor, as well as finding ways to engage my own coworkers at the DHMC Cancer Center. I would like to continue my position on the Board of Directors for NNECOS and hope to further grow my contributions to NNECOS as a whole as an ambassador for and participant in future events. Since my last appointment to the board, I have continued to advance my own leadership-level work among my own team, growing from a team of four to a team of six genetic counselors and opening an in-person clinic in Nashua to provide better access to our patients who want a face-to-face visit. I plan to bring this mindset of inclusion, collaboration, and access to future meetings and discussions, and look forward to what opportunities might arise within NNECOS in the future.

Nicholas V. Jensen, MS, LGC

Senior Genetic Counselor, Familial Cancer Program at Dartmouth Health

Nicole Messier, RN, BSN, OCN, ONN-CG is the Clinical Program Coordinator/Nurse Navigator for the Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Multidisciplinary Care Cancer Clinics at The University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, VT.

Nicole graduated from the University of Vermont in 1998 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing and since then has worked as an oncology nurse at The University of Vermont Medical Center in a variety of roles, including staff nurse on the in-patient oncology unit and as a primary nurse in the Department of Surgical Oncology. She has been in her current role as the Clinical Program Coordinator/Nurse Navigator of the GI Multidisciplinary Care Cancer Clinics since 2007 and for the GU Multidisciplinary Care Cancer Clinic from 2012-2023. Nicole obtained certification as an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) in 2015 and as an Oncology Nurse Navigator-Certified Generalist (ONN-CG) in 2016.

She has previously served as a Leadership Council member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators (AONN) and participated on the AONN+ Evidence Into Practice Standardized Navigation Metrics Project Team. Nicole continues to serve as a member of the AONN+ Metrics Committee and is participating in the AONN+ Acuity Project. Nicole previously served on the Board of Directors for the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society (NNECOS). She currently sits on the NNECOS Honorary Council, chairs the Lunch Time Webinar Task Force and is a member of the Nursing & Allied Health Professional Advisory Committee (NAHPAC) of NNECOS.

In addition to speaking at national conferences, Nicole has contributed to several articles published in the Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship, including “Leveraging Navigation to Improve Oncology Programs: Establishing the Role of the Navigator” (2021), “National AONN+ Initiative in Collaboration with Astellas: Unlocking Navigation Acuity” (2019), and “Standardized Evidence-Based Oncology Navigation Metrics for All Models: A Powerful Tool in Assessing the Value and Impact of Navigation Programs” (2017). Nicole has also contributed to the Cancer Site-Specific Navigation chapter in the Oncology Nursing Society's 2014 publication, Oncology Nurse Navigation: Delivering Patient-Centered Care Across the Continuum Oncology, as well as to the companion publication by ONS, Oncology Nurse Navigation Case Studies, in 2017. Nicole was a nominee for Cure Magazine’s 2013 Extraordinary Healers Award for Oncology Nursing.

Nicole Messier, RN, BSN, OCN, ONN-CG

Clinical Program Coordinator/Nurse Navigator Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal (GI) Multidisciplinary Care Cancer Clinics - The University of Vermont Medical Center