Our Team
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Nathan Fairman, M.D., M.P.H., is a board-certified psychiatrist with a subspecialty certification in hospice and palliative medicine. He serves as the Director of Supportive Oncology and Survivorship at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Fairman has nine years of clinical expertise at the interface of palliative medicine and psychiatry. He sees patients in the Psycho-Oncology clinic at the Cancer Center and on the inpatient palliative care service at the UC Davis Health. (preferred pronouns: he, him, his) |
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Angela Usher, Ph.D., LCSW, holds a doctorate from UC Davis in nursing science, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has a specialty certification in oncology social work. She serves as the Manager of Supportive Oncology and Survivorship at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Usher has worked in patient care, program development and education and research at the cancer center for the past 10 years, as well as chairs the Financial Navigation Workgroup, and the Supportive Oncology Research and Education Steering Committee. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Megan Ober, RN., M.S., B.S.N., OCN, holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing, and is an Oncology Certified Nurse with 11 years of experience working with cancer patients. In her role as the nurse case manager for the Supportive Medicine, Oncology Pain, and Psychiatric Oncology clinics, Megan helps patients by assisting with the coordination of patient care, advocacy, support, education about medications and other health topics, and works with pharmacists to clarify patient medication needs. Megan is also specialty-trained in Cannabis Nursing and provides education and consultation to her interested patients on this topic. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Jennifer (Jenny) Belke, M.S., CCLS, HMI, is a Certified Child Life Specialist, HeartMath Instructor, and Facility Dog Handler. Jenny received her master’s degree from the University of La Verne in child life and started her career at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in 2009. Jenny started in the Pediatric Infusion department in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center in March 2017. To help children and families minimize the fear of the unknown, Jenny focuses on making sure young patients and their families understand what to expect during cancer treatment, helps patients learn to cope with their procedures, and provides fun activities to do while at the cancer center. In 2018, Jenny started the facility dog program in Pediatric Infusion and was partnered with Huggie, a Canine Companion for Independence Facility Dog who comes to work to provide a gentle presence and comfort during times of stress and pain. (preferred pronouns: she/her) |
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Mackenzi Lee, M.A., CCLS, is a Certified Child Life Specialist who works with pediatric patients and their families in the pediatric infusion room and clinic. Mackenzi received her M.A. from Mills College in early childhood education with an emphasis on child life in the hospital setting. She has over 10 years of experience working with pediatric populations and specializes in fostering development from infancy to adulthood. As a Hematology/Oncology Child Life Specialist, Mackenzi provides support and education to pediatric patients to assist in furthering their understanding of their medical experiences and diagnosis while building skills that promote healthy coping strategies. (preferred pronouns: she/her) |
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Marisa Martinez, M.A., CCLS, Reiki II, RWWP is a Certified Child Life Specialist, Reiki practitioner, and Registered Wonders and Worries Provider. Marisa graduated from UC Davis with a B.S. in Psychology then received her M.A. in Early Childhood Education with an Emphasis in Child Life in Hospitals from Mills College. Marisa has been a volunteer, child life student, and child life fellow at UC Davis Children’s Hospital before working at two Sacramento child life programs. Now working at the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Marisa is lead for Radiation Oncology and School Re-Entry program, while providing education and coping support to patients and families in the Pediatric Infusion Room. As a Co-Facilitator for Remembering Together, Marisa also helps children and teenagers cope with loss and bereavement in a support group. (preferred pronouns: she/her) |
Adult Dietitians
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Danielle Baham, M.S., RD, is a Senior Dietitian with 20 years of experience as a clinical dietitian including years of experience in Oncology with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She earned master’s degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. Danielle is accredited through the Commission on Dietetic Registration, a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the Oncology Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She serves on the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center Interdisciplinary Cancer Committee as well as the Supportive Medicine Interdisciplinary Team. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Jaime Tucker, RD, is an adult Oncology Dietitian working primarily in the radiation clinic. Jaime has 5 years of experience as a clinical and outpatient dietitian with areas of specialty that include ENT and the management of patients receiving enteral nutrition. She is a certified health coach, skilled in helping motivate patients to overcome challenges to eating while undergoing radiation therapy. Jaime is actively working toward obtaining her Masters in Nutrition Science from the University of Saint Joseph, Connecticut and will graduate Spring 2022. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
Pediatric Dietitian
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Jennifer Derberdt, RD, CDE, is a pediatric oncology Dietitian. Jennifer provides person-centered nutritional assessments, develops care plans in conjunction with patients and their adult caregiver(s), and closely monitors children undergoing treatment for risk of malnourishment related to cancer and anti-cancer therapies. She utilizes a variety of nutrition interventions throughout treatment to promote normalized growth, address nutrition-related parent concerns, and reduce risks for poor nutritional outcomes. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
Adult Social Workers
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Sara Chavez, LCSW, OSW-C., ACHP-SW is a licensed clinical social worker with specialty certification in oncology and palliative care. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in psychology and her master’s degree in social work at Sacramento State. With over 8 years of experience in oncology and palliative care, Sara’s passion is to help patients through their cancer care journey and offer supportive care to meet their emotional and social needs. She is the co-facilitator for the 12-week psychoeducation group, From Cancer to Health, which focuses on stress management as it relates to cancer and treatment, and co-facilitates the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society support group. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Sarah Conning, LCSW, OSW-C., APHSW-C, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with specialty certification in oncology and palliative care. Sarah earned her MSW from the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare and has 20 years of experience in oncology social work. She is a leader within the Supportive Medicine Clinic, where she works to ensure integration of social work and palliative care. She has special interest in advance care planning and in support for family caregivers. Sarah is president-elect for the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) which advocates nationally for excellence in psychosocial care for all people facing cancer. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Jenifer Cooreman, LCSW, OSW-C, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with specialty certification in oncology with 20 years of experience in mental health and medical social work. Jena has worked with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. Her areas of expertise include individual and group therapy, coping with cancer and psychosocial oncology program development. Jena has played an instrumental role in developing supportive care services at the cancer center, she currently chairs the Supportive Oncology Clinical Counseling Steering Committee, and she participates in the development of the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Molly Freeman, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience in medical social work. She has expertise in working with adults who have blood cancer. She earned her MSW at New York University where she was a fellow in the Zelda Foster Studies Program in Palliative and End-of-Life Care. Molly also earned a Post-Master's certification in Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care at New York University. Molly's passion is to help patients throughout the spectrum of their cancer diagnosis to meet their specific social and emotional needs. (preferred pronouns: she/her) |
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Thu Phan, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 8 years of experience working in the mental health and social work field. She earned her master's degree in social work from the University of Chicago and has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in a variety of settings. Thu has experience providing individual and family counseling and group therapy using a variety of evidence-based practices. Her desire and passion as an oncology social worker is to empower and support individuals, families, and caregivers coping with a cancer diagnosis. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
Pediatric Social Workers
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Deseree Bohanan, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who shares her over 10-year expertise in serving diverse populations of children, adolescents, adults, and families in community-based mental health and medical settings. As a pediatric oncology social worker, Deseree supports patients and families in managing the psychosocial challenges of living with cancer, improving social and emotional wellness, and providing ongoing, consistent services for patients and families throughout the cancer experience. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Angelus Dupree, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working primarily with adult and pediatric sickle cell anemia patients. Angelus holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work. He has extensive expertise in mental health care, and he uses various evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address health adaptive coping. Angelus provides person-centered and compassion care, and his guiding principle is: “Make love the centerpiece of all that you do”. (preferred pronouns: he, him, his) |
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Jaclyn Rice, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology department. She has expertise in working with all ages of patients and families in home-based palliative care and hospice. Jaclyn has also been active with national organizations benefiting pediatric oncology patients and families. Jaclyn is part of the program development team for the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
Nurse Navigators
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Carol Leija, M.S.N., RN, OCN, holds a master’s degree in nursing with a specialization in education. She is an Oncology Certified Nurse and a dedicated advocate for patients with leukemia and lymphoma. At the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Carol provides expert care coordination to patients with blood cancers through transition points of care, between providers and across clinical settings, establishing partnerships with community providers throughout the UC Davis catchment to help patients access care closer to home. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
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Mia Wilson, RN, B.S.N., OCN, is a Nurse Navigator for cancer survivors who holds an Oncology Nurse Certification and expertise in effects of cancer treatment, surveillance needs, and quality of life issues in cancer survivors. One of her primary goals is to help cancer patients make a smooth transition from cancer treatment to post-treatment recovery. Mia has been with UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center for over 17 years and has experience in multiple areas of oncology care. Mia serves as a member of the Cancer Center Unit-Based Practice Counsel and Supportive Oncology Research and Education Steering Committee. (preferred pronouns: she, her, hers) |
Patient and Family Navigators
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Veronica Neri, B.S.W. is a Pediatric Patient and Family Navigator with a background in pediatric health care. Her position at the Cancer Center was made possible in 2021 thanks to the generosity of people through the Super Fritz & Friends Fund. Veronica’s focus is on navigating families from the time a child is diagnosed through treatment and beyond, through service coordination in and out of the hospital, and providing assistance with practical needs to reduce barriers and improve access to care. Veronica holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from CSU, Sacramento. |
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Rev. Julie Kim, M.Div., BCC, is a board-certified chaplain. As the Palliative Care Chaplain, she provides spiritual care and support for patients, families and staff at the UC Davis Medical Center, UC Davis Children’s Hospital (STEPS) and Supportive Medicine Clinic at the Cancer Center. She is also an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church USA. (preferred pronouns: she, her) |
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Annemarie Hargadon, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine with subspecialty board certification in palliative medicine. She has over 30 years’ experience in caring for people and their families living with serious illness. As a clinical staff physician at the cancer center, she works in the Supportive Medicine Clinic, focusing on improving the quality of life for people living with cancer. Dr. Hargadon’s academic focus is on teaching empathic and effective communication skills to medical students, residents and fellows. (preferred pronouns: she, her) |
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Mook-Lan Iglowitz, M.D., is a board-certified palliative medicine physician who works with patients with serious illness. She takes special interest in helping patients and their families face their illness through planning, decisional support, symptom control, and patient/caregiver education. Dr. Iglowitz serves as a volunteer clinical faculty for the UC Davis Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship. Additionally, she is a facilitator for the IMPACT Palliative care communication workshop for nurses at the Center for Professional Practice of Nursing. (preferred pronouns: she, her) |