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About The HealthTree Nurse Advisory Board
The HealthTree Nurse Advisory Board (NAB) was created to enhance the quality of care for patients with blood cancers by addressing gaps between academic and general oncology settings. Our goal is to foster collaborative research, provide frontline insights to, and promote equitable treatment access for all patients.
Nurses from diverse clinical and academic backgrounds participate, offering their expertise to bridge healthcare disparities and ensure patients receive the most advanced therapies and support.
Our Why
While many patients receive excellent care across a variety of treatment settings, differences in access to the latest myeloma therapies can impact outcomes. The Nurse Advisory Board’s mission is to strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing among all oncology care teams to help ensure that every patient—no matter where they are treated—has access to the most effective, up-to-date treatments and support.
Join Us in Bridging Gaps and Improving Patient Outcomes
We’re bringing together nursing professionals passionate about transforming blood cancer care. Through collaboration, research, and advisory partnerships, the Nurse Advisory Board (NAB) aims to ensure equitable access to the best treatments—no matter where patients receive care.
Meet the Members
Patrick Buxton, RN
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
With 10 years of nursing experience, Patrick is passionate about helping bridge the gap between rural and urban cancer care centers and is excited to contribute to advancing patient-centered care.
Brandi Spear, RN
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center
Brandi is a registered nurse with seven years of experience. She is passionate about collaborating with fellow professionals to break down barriers and enhance the patient experience.
Samuel Shewan MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Samuel started his career in Emergency Medicine before joining the Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic. He currently practices with the Multiple Myeloma group at Huntsman.
Diana Velez, FNP-BC, RN, OCN
Methodist Hospital San Antonio
Diana worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC for more than 15 years. Her career has been defined by a constant dedication to oncology and outpatient transplant services.
Eliza Parkin, DNP, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Eliza specializes in plasma cell dyscrasias. She is passionate about delivering evidence-based care and advancing outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma.
Sara Tinsley Vance, PhD, APRN
Moffitt Cancer Center
A hematology nurse practitioner for 30 years, Dr. Tinsley is a member of the leukemia research team and focuses on quality of life for older patients with myeloid syndromes.
Lauren Thayer AGACNP-BC
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Lauren has over 16 years of experience across surgical and oncology settings. She is passionate about improving the quality of care for people with hematologic malignancies.
Stefanie Bouma, MSc, PA-C
Bartlett Medical Oncology
Formerly with the NIH and Fred Hutch, Stefanie now serves the community in Alaska as a hematologic oncology expert, inspired by her personal connection to the field.
Impact
Coming soon: See how the NAB is driving real change—from educational resources to research contributions.
Contact Us
Cynthia Cahoon, RN
cynthia@healthtree.org
Cynthia leads engagement for the Nurse Advisory Board, ensuring nursing voices help shape research and resources for patients everywhere.
Thanks to our sponsor:
About The HealthTree Nurse Advisory Board
The HealthTree Nurse Advisory Board (NAB) was created to enhance the quality of care for patients with blood cancers by addressing gaps between academic and general oncology settings. Our goal is to foster collaborative research, provide frontline insights to, and promote equitable treatment access for all patients.
Nurses from diverse clinical and academic backgrounds participate, offering their expertise to bridge healthcare disparities and ensure patients receive the most advanced therapies and support.
Our Why
While many patients receive excellent care across a variety of treatment settings, differences in access to the latest myeloma therapies can impact outcomes. The Nurse Advisory Board’s mission is to strengthen collaboration and knowledge-sharing among all oncology care teams to help ensure that every patient—no matter where they are treated—has access to the most effective, up-to-date treatments and support.
Join Us in Bridging Gaps and Improving Patient Outcomes
We’re bringing together nursing professionals passionate about transforming blood cancer care. Through collaboration, research, and advisory partnerships, the Nurse Advisory Board (NAB) aims to ensure equitable access to the best treatments—no matter where patients receive care.
Meet the Members
Patrick Buxton, RN
Clinical Nurse Coordinator
With 10 years of nursing experience, Patrick is passionate about helping bridge the gap between rural and urban cancer care centers and is excited to contribute to advancing patient-centered care.
Brandi Spear, RN
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Kadlec Tri-Cities Cancer Center
Brandi is a registered nurse with seven years of experience. She is passionate about collaborating with fellow professionals to break down barriers and enhance the patient experience.
Samuel Shewan MPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Samuel started his career in Emergency Medicine before joining the Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic. He currently practices with the Multiple Myeloma group at Huntsman.
Diana Velez, FNP-BC, RN, OCN
Methodist Hospital San Antonio
Diana worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC for more than 15 years. Her career has been defined by a constant dedication to oncology and outpatient transplant services.
Eliza Parkin, DNP, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Huntsman Cancer Institute
Eliza specializes in plasma cell dyscrasias. She is passionate about delivering evidence-based care and advancing outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma.
Sara Tinsley Vance, PhD, APRN
Moffitt Cancer Center
A hematology nurse practitioner for 30 years, Dr. Tinsley is a member of the leukemia research team and focuses on quality of life for older patients with myeloid syndromes.
Lauren Thayer AGACNP-BC
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Lauren has over 16 years of experience across surgical and oncology settings. She is passionate about improving the quality of care for people with hematologic malignancies.
Stefanie Bouma, MSc, PA-C
Bartlett Medical Oncology
Formerly with the NIH and Fred Hutch, Stefanie now serves the community in Alaska as a hematologic oncology expert, inspired by her personal connection to the field.
Impact
Coming soon: See how the NAB is driving real change—from educational resources to research contributions.
Contact Us
Cynthia Cahoon, RN
cynthia@healthtree.org
Cynthia leads engagement for the Nurse Advisory Board, ensuring nursing voices help shape research and resources for patients everywhere.
Thanks to our sponsor:
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