REACH for Survivorship Program
Meet the Clinical Team
Administration
Friedman, Debra L. , M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
E. Bronson Ingram Chair of Pediatric Oncology
Interim Director, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Medical Director, REACH for Survivorship Program
Leader, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Cancer Control and Prevention Program
Debra L. Friedman, M.D., is an associate professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. She is the E. Bronson Ingram Chair of Pediatric Oncology and the leader of the Cancer Control and Prevention Program and directs the Cancer Survivorship programs at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Friedman's research interests lie in the long term outcomes for cancer survivors, as well as in the design of novel therapeutic protocols for childhood cancer, designed to decrease adverse long-term effects of therapy. She has leadership roles in Children's Oncology Group (COG) and is an internationally recognized expert in cancer survivorship, participating in projects evaluating best practices and models of care. She is investigating a diverse group of physiologic and psychosocial outcomes among survivors of pediatric cancer, hematopoietic stem cell transplant and medical oncology. Friedman completed her pediatric residency and a joint fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Cancer Epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Prior to coming to Vanderbilt in 2008, she served as the co-director of the Cancer Survivorship Program at CHOP and then, as the founder and director of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Survivorship Program.
Washburn, Anne C. , M.P.H.
Associate Director, Patient and Community Education
Anne Washburn, MPH is Associate Director, Office of Patient and Community Education at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. This role includes overseeing the Cancer Information Program, patient education, advocacy, and outreach activities implemented via VICC. In addition, Ms. Washburn serves as Administrative Director of the REACH for Survivorship Program.Ms. Washburn currently serves as Tennessee Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition's cancer care committee state chair and serves on the Board of Vanderbilt University's Center for Health Services.
Ms. Washburn's past experience includes coordinating patient education initiatives at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, NC for eight years and working in the National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Bethesda, MD. Ms. Washburn earned her Master of Public Health and BS in Biology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Physicians and Other Health Care Providers
Bowles, Travis C. , M.D.
Assistant Professor
Travis Bowles, M.D. is an assistant professor of Medicine and Pediatrics. Dr. Bowles received his medical degree from University of Texas-Houston and completed his internal medicine and pediatrics residency at Vanderbilt University in 2005. His academic interest involve working with survivors of childhood cancer, transition care from pediatric practices to adult clinics and resident outpatient teaching. He attends on the adult hospital teaching service, pediatric hospital teaching service and the newborn nursery.
Simmons, Jill H. , M.D.
Assistant Professor
Jill H. Simmons, M.D., is an assistant professor of Pediatrics at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Simmons received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She received her medical degree from the University of Tennessee at Memphis. She completed her pediatric residency and a fellowship in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Her research interests include studying the biochemical markers of hypothalamic obesity in newly diagnosed neuron-oncology patients and the prevalence of decreased bone mineral density and poor growth in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac autoantibodies.
Prasad, Pinki K. , M.D., M.P.H.
Clinical Fellow
Campbell, Kristin , RN, MSN, CPNP
Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program Coordinator
School of Nursing Faculty
Kristin Campbell, RN, MSN, cPNP is a faculty member at the Vanderbilt School of Nursing and a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Elon University in North Carolina and her Masters in Nursing at Vanderbilt. Kristin started her nursing career as a registered nurse in pediatric oncology at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. She later moved to Phoenix, Arizona where she spent some time working as a Nurse Practitioner in a busy Pediatric office. Upon returning to Vanderbilt in 2007, she has served as the Program Coordinator and Nurse Practitioner for the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program.
Johnson, Tracy A. , FNP-BC
Instructor, Adult Cancer Survivorship Clinic
Tracy A. Johnson, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner with the REACH Adult Cancer Survivorship Clinic. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and is board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is currently in the inaugural class for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining the Cancer Center to help start the Adult Cancer Survivorship Clinic, her clinical background included transplant medicine and head and neck surgical oncology. Clinical research interests are investigating and promoting physical activity to alleviate fatigue in adult cancer survivors.
Niarhos, Frances J. , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Frances Niarhos, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor of Pediatrics at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. She received her undergraduate degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She received her master's degree and doctoral degree from the University of Miami in Florida. Niarhos completed her post doctoral fellowship at the Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies. She specializes in Pediatric Psychology, primarily involving the diagnosis of childhood cancer; cognitive-behavioral treatment of childhood disorders; and assessment of learning problems associated with treatment for childhood cancer. She is involved in research investigating neurocognitive outcomes following treatment for childhood cancer.
Sanger, Maureen , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Maureen Sanger, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital. Dr. Sanger received her doctoral degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University. She completed her internship at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, followed by a pre-doctoral fellowship at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. She did a post-doctoral fellowship in Behavioral Pediatrics Research at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. A specialist in pediatric psychology, Dr. Sanger's clinical and research interests include facilitating children's adjustment to chronic illness and assessing the learning issues associated with treatment for childhood cancer.
Van Slyke, Deborah (Debbie) A. , Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Deborah Van Slyke, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and an assistant professor of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. Van Slyke received her doctorate at Vanderbilt University. She completed her internship in Clinical Child Psychology and Pediatric Psychology at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Van Slyke's research interests include neurocognitive late effects of treatment for pediatric cancer; understanding and facilitating parents' and children's efforts to cope with life-threatening illness. Her clinical expertise is in conducting assessments to monitor for the development of treatment late effects and partnering with families and schools to develop appropriate educational plans for children and teens treated for cancer.
In addition to seeing the clinical care team, you may be referred to other medical sub-specialties at VICC, VUMC and in the community.
Research Team
Wujcik, Debra , R.N., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Nursing
Debra Wujcik, PhD, RN, AOCN is Director of Clinical Trials at Meharry for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. This position involves project management for the cancer clinical trials partnership between Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Meharry Medical College, directing the clinical trials staff, and coordinating the REACH program at Nashville General Hospital. In addition she is an Associate Professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Dr. Wujcik received her BSN and MSN at the University of Pittsburgh and her doctoral degree from the University of Utah. She is certified as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse by the Oncology Nursing Society. Dr. Wujciks research interests are barriers to completion of cancer screening and cancer clinical trial participation.
Sarah E. McLellan
Clinical Trials Associate
Sarah Beth McLellan is a Clinical Trials Associate in the Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She works within a team of researchers lead by Dr. Debra Friedman conducting clinical and research-based studies. Current projects include: The Young Adult Cancer Biorepository Network (collecting data to create a virtual base for cancer specimens in the AYA population at Vanderbilt repositories) and Pilot Cohort Study (recruiting leukemia lymphoma AYA patients with key malignancies). Both are funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Ms. McLellan was previously working in the Institute for Medicine and Public Health at Vanderbilt Medical Center assisting research endeavors at the Evidence Based Practice Center, Center for Interdisciplinary Health Workforce Studies, and the Community Engagement Program. She earned her BA in Gender Studies and Medical Sociology at Vanderbilt University.
Jada H. Meriwether
Clinical Trials Associate II
Jada Meriwether is a Clinical Trials Associate II with the Survivorship Program at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. This role includes coordination, collection, interpretation and documentation of data in support of clinical trials. Jada supports the activities of the Leader of the Cancer Control and Prevention program in accordance with set protocols and regulations. Jada currently serves as lead researcher on the following programs: “Radiation Sensitivity, DNA Repair, and Second Cancers” and “Long Term Effects for Survivors of Cancer.” Ms. Meriwether's past experience includes coordinating the activities of the TN HIV Prevention Community Planning group in conjunction with the State of TN Health Department and working as research assistant and interventionist with the University of Memphis Center for Community Health. Ms. Meriwether is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Austin Peay State University. She obtained her BS in Health from the same institution.
Lesley-Ann Smith, BS
Clinical Trials Associate
Lesley-Ann Smith, BS is a Clinical Trials Associate, Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. This role includes conducting clinical and translational research, patient education, and advocacy. Ms. Smith’s past experience includes working as a Care Partner at Vanderbilt University Hospital’s Level One Trauma Unit as well as interning with Vanderbilt’s Trauma Survivor Network. Ms. Smith earned her BS in Health Education and Promotion from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee
