Your Personal Cancer Team
Clinical Navigator
Colleen Winters, LCSW, OSW-C
Colleen Winters, LCSW, OSW-C, is the clinical navigator at the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center. Colleen has a master’s degree in social work from Stanislaus State University and holds postgraduate certifications in the Integration of Behavioral Health in Primary Care from University of Massachusetts, Oncology Social Work from the Association of Oncology Social Work and Palliative Care from the University of California San Francisco.
As the clinical navigator, Colleen manages the Integrative Cancer Support Services and is the patient and family therapist at the Cancer Center. She currently co-chairs the bio-ethics committee and oversees palliative care education at Adventist Health St. Helena. Colleen offers short-term psychodynamic therapy for anxiety, depression, stress, body image and intimacy concerns. She also connects patients to local and national resources as they consider their diagnosis and its impact on work and family during their cancer journey.
Registered Dietician
Julia Mazzotta, RD
Julia Mazzotta, RD, is the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center’s registered dietician. Familiar with inpatient care after two years working with Adventist Health St. Helena patients during a hospitalization, Julia enjoys working with oncology patients because nutrition is so important in all stages of cancer treatment, survivorship and even prevention. Her passion is helping people improve their nutrition status and enjoy their food.
Oncology Pharmacist
Christy Murphy, PharmD
Christy Murphy, PharmD, is an experienced pharmacist who specializes in cancer treatment. She completed her bachelor’s in kinesiology with a concentration in human movement science at Louisiana State University A&M and then pursued a masters in public health and doctorate in pharmacy at Touro University. She works closely with our cancer nurses and oncologists to ensure treatment is precise and delivered according to each patient’s personal treatment plan.
Research and Clinical Trials Coordinator
Jennifer, CCRC
Jennifer, in partnership with our medical director, directs our research programs. In this role, Jennifer also connects patients to appropriate clinical trials and monitors the treatment protocols throughout the trial. Jennifer is available to patients for any questions regarding clinical trials or research.
Clinical Research Data Analyst
Shalese
Shalese, our clinical research data analyst, works directly with the research and clinical trials coordinator and our physicians in monitoring the regulatory aspects of the research programs.
Acupuncturist
Gillian, LAc
Gillian Casey, LAc, has been practicing Chinese medicine since 2009, when she graduated from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine with a master’s degree in acupuncture and oriental medicine. She is a California State Board licensed acupuncturist and is also nationally board certified in oriental medicine and herbology by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Oncology Nursing Team
Our oncology certified nursing team is here to learn your medical history and find out how you are tolerating treatment. They will pay close attention to your concerns related to symptom management, medication and treatment side effects. They educate you about your treatment plan and important information to share with your care team, administer your chemotherapy, treatment, see you side-by-side with your medical and/or radiation oncologist, and monitor your medical status with extraordinary skill and compassion.
Our certified nursing assistants work closely with your health care team to make sure everyone is informed about your needs. They will greet and escort you to the exam or infusion room, obtain your vital signs and ensure you are comfortable until you begin your appointment with your nurse or physician. Do not hesitate to ask them for anything that will enhance your experience with us.
Radiation Treatment Team
Our Radiation Therapists are experts at guiding you through your radiation treatment. They are professionally trained to implement the physician’s treatment plan on the linear accelerator with the utmost care and precision to ensure the most successful outcome.
A dosimetrist works side by side-by-side with our radiation oncologists to assure you receive the safest and most effective treatment for your specific diagnosis. The dosimetrist also performs dose calculations and assists our radiation therapists with measurements during CT simulation on the first day of radiation treatment.
A medical physicist monitors and calibrates our treatment equipment and oversees the quality of all treatments delivered.
Patient Experience Team
Our receptionists are on the “front lines” of your cancer treatment experience. They verify your insurance, schedule your appointments with your care team, receive and process your phone calls and coordinate appointments with other departments in order to make your experience throughout your treatment as stress-free as possible.
Patient Resource Specialist
Pamela Turner
Our patient resource specialist has educational material about cancer available in the Patient Resource Room and can share details about educational and community support resources.
Financial Services Specialist
Barbara Brown
Our financial services specialist is an onsite liaison regarding health insurance and financial resources.
Executive Director
Shari Bluband, MBA
Shari is the executive director of the Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center. She is responsible for overall operations, patient experience and leadership at the Center