The Oncology Team
Your Child’s Oncology Team at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center
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Jason Shohet, MD
Dr. Jason Shohet is a pediatric cancer specialist who runs a research program focused on developing novel therapies for pediatric cancers. He obtained his medical degree from Boston University and completed his pediatric residency at Texas Children’s Hospital, in Houston Texas. Dr. Shohet also completed his Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship training in Texas at both Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. He came to Worcester in 2018 after 19 years on faculty at Texas Children’s Hospital where he was chairman of the Neuroblastoma Research program, and participated in many Children’s Oncology Group clinical trials as well as institutional pilot and early phase clinical trials testing novel treatment options.
Dr. Shohet is currently Division Chief of Pediatric Hematology/ Oncology at UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center and a member of the Cancer Biology, the MD, PhD program, and the Molecular Cell and Cancer Biology department (MCCB).
Dr. Shohet is runs a research program focused on understanding the development and treatment of metastatic neuroblastoma. As a nationally recognized expert in neuroblastoma biology and therapy, Dr. Shohet has received many awards and foundation support for his research including funding from Alex’s Lemonade Stand, St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the Children’s Neuroblastoma Research Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
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Peter E. Newburger, MD
Dr. Peter Newburger is a specialist in the care of children with cancer and blood diseases. He graduated from Harvard Medical School and trained in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and in pediatric hematology/oncology at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. He formerly served as the Chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center for over thirty years. He is currently the Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pediatrics, UMass Chan Medical School; and Ali and John Pierce Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Professor of Pediatrics and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School.
Dr. Newburger founded the first pediatric hematology/oncology division at the UMass Chan Medical School in 1981, and since then have directed state-of-the-art evidence-based care of virtually all Central Massachusetts children with cancer and blood diseases.
As a very experienced basic and clinical research investigator, he currently runs a research program supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense. His publications include more than 135 peer- reviewed research articles and 65 reviews and invited articles. He has served on the American Board of Pediatrics’ Sub-Board of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, scientific and administrative committees of national medical societies, and editorial boards of multiple hematology and oncology journals. He was instrumental in founding the leading journal of the field, Pediatric Blood and Cancer and has been editor-in-chief of the journal since 2015.
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Neil Grossman, MD
Dr. Neil Grossman is a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist who joined the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts in 2008. He completed his medical school education at the Boston University School of Medicine in 1976.
Dr. Grossman’s training in General Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology took place at the University of Maryland in the Department of Pediatrics in Baltimore, Maryland from 1976 through 1982. During this time his interests in clinical care, clinical research and teaching was encouraged by his mentors and grew. Over time his interests expanded to include case management, managed care, and medical administration. Dr. Grossman’s hematology interests have centered on the diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease and other hemolytic anemias as well as coagulopathies.
Throughout his career, he has been strongly committed to the participation in both oncology and hematology multicenter clinical studies for the rapid advancement of medical knowledge concerning improvement in illness outcomes. Dr. Grossman continues to be committed to providing cutting edge therapies to our Pediatric and Young Adult patients of central Massachusetts.
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Stefanie Lowas, MD
Dr. Stefanie Lowas is board certified in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and General Pediatrics. She joined the faculty of the UMass Chan Medical School in 2019. Dr. Lowas received her medical degree in 2002 from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, PA. She completed her General Pediatric residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY and her Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. After completing training, Dr. Lowas was appointed to the faculty of the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, in Nashville, TN. She then moved to Omaha, NE in 2011, practicing pediatric hematology/oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center of Omaha.
Dr. Lowas is committed to providing excellent clinical care to children with a variety of oncologic and hematologic disorders, bringing with her experience from pediatric hematology/oncology programs around the country. She serves as the UMass Memorial Principal Investigator for the Children’s Oncology Group, so that the latest treatment protocols available nationwide are also available to children in central Massachusetts. Since arriving at UMass, Dr. Lowas has been working to improve the practical application of our electronic medical record system, drawing on experience with similar systems at other hospitals. Over the years, Dr. Lowas has dedicated time to studying and preventing infections in children receiving chemotherapy. Dr. Lowas’ other focus is education, providing formal and informal teaching to medical learners of all levels.
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Naheed G. Usmani, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
Education:
King Edward Medical College
Mount Zion Hospital and Medical Center, Pediatric Residency
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center, Pediatric Hematology Oncology FellowshipResearch Interests:
Palliative care, pediatric hematology and oncology, survivorship, pediatric oncology in developing countries
Nurse Practitioners
The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology nurse practitioner has special training in the caring for children and teenagers who have cancer and blood disorders. This advanced practice nurse deals with health problems that may occur during therapy. She is skilled in taking histories, performing physical exams, triaging patient symptoms and parent concerns. You will see her in both the hospital and clinic. The Nurse Practitioner will help manage the outpatient care of your child, as well as coordinate care to be given at home in conjunction with the discharge planner. She will provide you the education you need to safely care for your child at home and will provide ongoing education throughout your child’s treatment and follow-up care.
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Jennifer Costa , MSN, CPNP
Jennifer Costa obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Boston College in 2002 and soon began working at Boston Children’s Hospital as a Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant nurse. In 2006, she obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing in pediatric acute/chronic care with a pediatric oncology focus at the University of Pennsylvania. She joined the Pediatric Oncology team here at UMass in 2007. Additionally, she is currently enrolled in the UMass Chan Medical School Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing PhD program. She practices in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
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Sarah Singer , BSN, RN, MSN, CPNP
Sarah Singer obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Simmons College in 2013 and initially worked at Hasbro Children’s Hospital as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse. Thereafter, she began working as a nurse at Boston Children’s Hospital in their radiology department. She pursued her Masters of Science in Nursing at Boston College with graduation in May, 2019. She joined the UMass Pediatric Oncology team here at UMass in 2019. She practices in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
Member of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG)
Member of the Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON)Sarah enjoys educating the staff and families about the new upcoming treatments for both oncology and hematology patients. She is also a member of the CLABSI committee. In addition Sarah enjoys being an advocate for the families and enjoys answering patient and families questions.
Child Life Specialist
Child Life professionals have specific training in child development in order to support families in health care settings. They will work with you to reduce any stress or anxiety you or your child may be feeling during the treatment process. Child Life professionals and trained volunteers offer play opportunities, pre-procedure preparation and procedure support, as well as, coordinate special events and entertainment.
Nicole Nolan, CCLS, received her Bachelor of Science degree from Worcester State University in Psychology in 2013. She then attended Springfield College where she graduated with her Masters of Education in Therapeutic Recreation and Child Life in 2015. She completed her Child Life Internship at Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York in Spring of 2015. Following her completion of graduate school, she worked as a Child Life Specialist for two years at Cohen Children’s in the Emergency Department and Inpatient Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant unit. She joined the UMass Memorial Child Life Department in 2017 as the Outpatient Clinic Specialist.
Clinical Social Worker
Pediatric oncology social work as a specialty discipline is committed to enhancing the emotional and physical well-being of children with cancer and their families. Practice is based upon a unique body of knowledge and expertise in the areas of development and family life. The pediatric oncology social worker is a clinician, educator, advocate and researcher. These services are designed to maximize community resources in order to support optimal functioning. Oncology social work services are available to the patients and families throughout all phases of the cancer continuum, including prevention, diagnosis, survivorship, terminal care, and bereavement.
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Molly Hanson , MSW, LCSW
Molly Hanson obtained her Bachelor of Arts in History at the College of the Holy Cross in 2011 and Master of Social Work at Boston College in 2013. Upon completion of graduate school, Molly began working at LUK, Inc. where she served as a clinical case manager for a latency age residential program from 2013-2016 and a team leader in the intensive foster care program from 2016-2020. Molly initially began her career at UMass Memorial Medical Center as the inpatient oncology social worker in January 2020, working primarily with adults. In June 2020, she transferred into pediatrics as the outpatient clinic social worker. Molly works closely with the inpatient pediatric social worker to ensure continuity of social support for children and families throughout their treatment course. Molly also co-facilitates the Parent to Parent Support Group at Why Me Sherry’s House.
Registered Nurse
The registered nurse works in the clinic administering chemotherapy, blood products, and other medications. She is also involved with the care of central venous lines and drawing blood. She will teach you about your child’s medicines and side effects. She also assists in procedures preformed in the clinic and provides support to you and your child.
Data Manager
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Danielle Pichette
Danielle Pichette started her research career at UMass Chan Medical School in 1994. In 1999, she began working for the Institutional Review Board obtaining her Certified IRB Professional (CIP) certification. She joined the Pediatric Oncology team as a Clinical Research Coordinator in 2011 and obtained her Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) certification in 2016.
Administrative Assistant
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Carmen Torres
Carmen Torres has worked at UMass Memorial Medical Center since 1998. She has worked with various specialties throughout these years and has most recently settled into pediatrics. She most enjoys working with families and their children and is happy to assist whenever you call. Whether it’s booking an appointment, arranging studies or taking a message, Carmen is happy to help.