About Georgia Cancer Specialists

Georgia Cancer Specialists Support Staff

Georgia Cancer Specialists uses a multidisciplinary team of cancer experts to treat our patients. The members of our support services team include nurse practitioners, physician assistants, certified nutritionists, and social workers. The nurse practitioners and physician assistants at Georgia Cancer Specialists are highly specialized health care providers who have completed additional education at the master's degree level, and have obtained national certifications in their specialty areas.

At Georgia Cancer Specialists, these two groups of professionals are known as midlevel providers. The oncology midlevel provider works in tandem with the physician to guide and plan patient care. The midlevel providers are proficient in performing physical examinations and requesting laboratory, diagnostic, and radiological testing. They assist the physician in ordering medications, and monitor patients for the side effects of cancer treatment. All of the midlevel providers at Georgia Cancer Specialists are authorized and licensed to practice by the Georgia Boards of Nursing and Medicine.

Midlevel Providers

Lisa Acree, MSN, APRN-BC   

• Offices: Blue Ridge and Blairsville
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: University of Georgia
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: University of Alabama at Huntsville
• Master of Nursing: University of Alabama at Huntsville
• Certification: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Lisa is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Scott Anderson, PA

• Offices: Blue Ridge
• Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, PA
• Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant, Georgia State Physician Assistant License, Basic Life Support Certification, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification

Scott is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Georgia Academy of Physician Assistants.

Kimberly W. Auriemma, MSN, RN, CS, AOCN  

• Office: Kennestone
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: University of Florida in Gainesville, FL
• Master of Science in Nursing: Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA
• Certification: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse

Kim is a member of the Association of the Oncology Nursing Society and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Ellen Badnin, MSN, RN, CS, OCN    

• Office: Northside
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Brenau University in Gainesville, GA
• Master of Nursing: Emory University in Atlanta, GA
• Certification: Oncology Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist

Ellen is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Oncology Nurse Network. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society. Her special interests include the psychosocial aspects of medicine and spirituality.

Karen M. Baker, APRN, RN, NP/FNP

• Office: Lake Oconee
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: D’Youville College, in Buffalo, New York
• Master of Science in Nursing: Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee

Karen is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society, the Tennessee Nurses Association, and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Melissa Earley, PA-C

• Office: Northside
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT
• Masters in Physician Assistant Studies: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Melissa is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology.

Laura A. Ellis, MS, RN, CS, OCN           

• Office: Northside
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Lander University in Greenwood, SC
• Master of Nursing: Clemson University in Clemson, SC
• Certification: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse

Laura is a member of the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Metropolitan Atlanta Oncology Nursing Society, the Atlanta Oncology Nursing Society, and United Advanced Practice Nurses of Georgia.

Erika Hammond, PA-C          

• Office: Cobb and Kennestone
• Bachelor of Science in Biology: University of Georgia in Athens, GA
• Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA

Erika is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants.

Maria Hanik, MN, APRN, OCN           

• Offices: DeKalb
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
• Master of Nursing: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in Atlanta, GA
• Certification: Nurse Practitioner, Oncology Certified Nurse

Maria is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society. Her special interests include stem cell transplantation and research. She is actively involved in the Phase IV trials currently available at GCS. She has acted as preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students.

Anne-Marie Happe, MSN, RN, APRN-BC, AOCN        

• Office: Rockdale
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA
• Master of Nursing: Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University in Atlanta, GA

Anne-Marie is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the Metropolitan Atlanta Oncology Nursing Society, Oncology Nursing Society Nurse Practitioner Special Interest Group, and the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

Jeff A. Harris, MSN, RN, NP-C, OCN

• Offices: Macon and Hawkinsville
• Bachelor of Science: Double Major in Biology and Psychology, Mercer University in Macon, GA
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA
• Master of Nursing: Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA
• Certification: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Oncology Certified Nurse

Jeff is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Central Georgia chapter of Oncology Nursing Society, United Advanced Practice Nurses, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. In addition to seeing patients in the clinic, Jeff is a hospitalist and Research Coordinator in Macon for Phase IV Clinical trials.

Lisa L. Hartman, MN, RN, LPC, CNS, FNP           

• Office: Stemmer (Decatur)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
• Master of Nursing: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Master of Education: Boston University, Boston, MA

Lisa is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses’ Association, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Licensed Professional Counselor. Lisa is a Board Certified Advance Practice Nurse in Palliative Medicine.

Laurie G. Johnson, RT(R)(CV), RCVT, RCDS, MSN, RN, NP-C, AOCNP      

• Office: Macon
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville GA
• Master of Science in Nursing: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville GA
• Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner

Laurie is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the United Advance Practice RN’s of Georgia, the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Central Georgia Oncology Nursing Society, the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing, and the Sylvia Bond Nursing Leadership Organization. She is a certified family nurse practitioner, adult oncology certified nurse practitioner, a registered radiologic technologist, and a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer.

Dawn W. Key, MSN, APRN-BC, FNP           

• Office: Milledgeville
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA
• Master of Science in Nursing: Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA

Dawn is a member of Oncology Nursing Society and Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing.

Kennon H. McCollum, MSN, RN, FNP-C

• Office: Crawford Long
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.
• Bachelor of Science: Double Major in Biology & Microbiology, University of Georgia in Athens, GA
• Master of Science in Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA
• Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner

Kennon is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the National Oncology Nursing Society, the American Nurses Association, the Georgia Nurses Association, the Metro Atlanta chapter of Oncology Nursing Society, and Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nursing. He has also served as adjunct clinical faculty for both Emory University and DeKalb Community College, Schools of Nursing.

Patricia McLaughlin, RN, MSN, ANP, APRN-BC

• Offices: Canton
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Malone College, Canton, Ohio
• Master of Science in Nursing: University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
• Certification: American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
• Special Interests: Oncology Clinical Research, Prostate and Renal Cell Malignancies.

Patricia is a member of The Oncology Nursing Society, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, American Nurses Association, and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Ian McMillan PA-C

• Office: Stemmer (Decatur)
• Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Marine Biology: University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH
• Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR
• Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Ian is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants.

Millie Morgan MSN, RN, NP-C

• Offices: Macon and Hawkinsville
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA
• Master of Science in Nursing: Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA
• Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner

Millie is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the United Advance Practice RNs of Georgia, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Central Georgia Chapter of Oncology Nursing Society, the American Nurses Association, and the Georgia Nurses Association.

Cheryl “Lynn” Norris, APRN, BC, FNP

• Offices: Kennestone
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA
• Master of Science in Nursing: Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA
• Certification: Family Nurse Practitioner

Lynn is nationally recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Board Certified, Family Nurse Practitioner. She is a member of the Georgia Nurses Association, the American Nurses Association, the Metropolitan Atlanta Oncology Nursing Society, and the National Oncology Nursing Society.

Sikirat Yettie Oropo, RN, MSN, FNP-C

• Office: DeKalb
• Associate of Science: Atlanta Metropolitan College in Atlanta, GA
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, FL
• Masters of Science in Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

Bijal Parikh, PA-C

• Office: Stockbridge
• Bachelor of Arts in Biology: Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
• Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
• Certification: Certified Physician Assistant

Bijal is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants.

Jennifer D. Piper, MMSc, PA-C

• Offices: Crawford Long
• Bachelor of Science in Human Biology: University of Texas in Austin, TX
• Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Emory University in Atlanta, GA
• Certification: Certified Physician Assistant

Letitia Price, PA-C, MT (ASCP)

• Office: Fayetteville
• Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology: Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
• Certificate in Medical Technology: Bethune Cookman College in Daytona, FL
• Masters in Medical Science: Barry University in Miami, FL

Letitia is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants. She is a certified physician assistant and medical technologist. Her special interests include immunohematology and hematology.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Russell, PA-C

• Office: Crawford Long
• Bachelor of Arts: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
• Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
• Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Betsy is a member of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants and the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Kim Sobolik, RN-CS, FNP, AOCN

• Offices: Alpharetta and Northside
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Webster University in Kansas City, MO
• Master of Science in Nursing: University of Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas City, KS
• Certifications: Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner

Kim is a member of the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Metro Atlanta Oncology Nursing Society, the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society, and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Kim serves as a genetics educator for both breast and ovarian cancers, specializing in the care of patients with breast cancer.

Helen R. J. Stockwell, MS, RN, APRN-BC

• Office: Douglasville and Villa Rica
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA
• Master of Science in Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA
• Certifications: Medical-Surgical Certified Nurse, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

Helen is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Nurses Association, the Georgia Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society, and Oncology Nursing Society.

Donna Wall, RN, APRN-BC

• Office: Cobb
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL
• Master of Nursing: North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, GA

Donna is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and Sigma Theta Tau.

Grace Wekesa, MS, FNP-C

• Offices: Stemmer and Johns Creek
• Associate Degree: Georgia Perimeter (formally DeKalb College), GA
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA
• Master of Nursing: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

Grace is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Brandon West, PA-C

• Office: Cobb and Douglasville
• Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies: Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY

Brandon is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology, the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants, and the American Academy of Clinicians.

Nutritionists

Nutritionists

Bonnie M. Dixon, RD, LD
Clinical Lead Nutritionist          

• Offices: Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Blue Ridge, Johns Creek, Eastside, Northside, and Cumming
• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition: Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN
• Internship: Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN

Bonnie is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Georgia Dietetic Association, Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association, Oncology Dietetic Practice Group, Clinical Nutrition Management Group and Nutrition in Complementary Care Group. She was project coordinator for a breast cancer prevention program called “For Our Daughters, Our Sisters, Ourselves” made possible through a grant from the Atlanta area Susan G. Komen Foundation. She is involved with the ChemoChic program and speaks frequently in the community on nutrition topics.

Lisa Eisele, RD, LD

• Office: Milledgeville and Lake Oconee
• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition: Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
• Coordinated Program: Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN

Lisa is a member of the Georgia Dietetic Association and Middle Georgia Dietetic Association. She specializes in weight management and cancer prevention. Lisa is a frequent contributor to the Healthy Living newsletter and is involved in community nutrition. She also presents weight loss classes in the community.

Bethany Smith RD, LD, CDE

• Offices: Cobb, Douglasville, Kennestone, Paulding, Canton, and Fort Oglethorpe/Ringgold
• Bachelor of Health Sciences and Sports Studies: Miami University School of Education and Allied Professions in Oxford, OH
• Internship: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA
• Certification: Certificate in Adult Weight Management

Bethany is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), Georgia Dietetic Association (Serving as President 2004–2005), Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association, and the Oncology Dietetic Practice Group of ADA. She was chosen by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to participate in the Oncology Nutrition Specialty Practice Analysis Workgroup for 2007. She is also a part-time educator / speaker throughout the Southeastern U.S. Her special interests include weight management during and after cancer treatment, malabsorption issues, and cancer-related fatigue.

Laura Snyder, MS, RD, LD

• Offices: DeKalb, Rockdale, Stemmer (Decatur), and Hillandale
• Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics: Samford University in Birmingham, AL
• Internship: University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, AL
• Master of Science in Allied Health: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

Laura is a member of the American Dietetic Association, Georgia Dietetic Association, Greater Atlanta Dietetic Association, and Oncology Dietetic Practice Group. Her special interests are complementary care, community nutrition and wellness.

Taryn Tennyson, RD, LD

• Offices: Stockbridge, Fayetteville, Griffin, Macon, and Hawkinsville
• Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science: Dietetics, University of Georgia in Athens, GA
• Internship: Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

Taryn is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the Georgia Dietetic Association, the Oncology Dietetic Practice Group, and the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group. She frequently speaks in the community on various nutrition topics because she enjoys making nutrition education practical and simple. Her special interests are Women’s Health, Dietary Supplements, and Cancer Prevention.

Wellness Counselors

Lisa Andreucci, LMSW

• Offices: Alpharetta, Northside, and Cumming
• Bachelor of Science: Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL
• Master of Social Work: Boston College in Boston, MA

Lisa is a member of the Georgia Social Work Oncology Group. She has special interests in working with addiction, trauma, group counseling, and grief and loss issues.

Erika Baube, LCSW
Manager of Wellness Services

• Offices: Eastside, Lawrenceville, and Johns Creek
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology: Indiana University in Bloomington, IN
• Master of Social Work: Washington University in St. Louis, MO

Erika is a member of the Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology Social Work and the Association of Oncology Social Work. She has a special interest in caregiver issues, social networks of critically ill patients and their families, support at the end of life, marriage and family counseling, and genetic counseling.

Judi L. Derriso, LCSW, ACSW

• Offices: Macon, Milledgeville, Hawkinsville, and Oconee
• Bachelor of Social Work: Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
• Master of social science administration: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

Judi is a member of National Association of Social Workers. Areas of interest include anxiety and mood disorders, children of cancer patients and spirituality.

Rachel Mathews, LCSW

• Offices: Crawford Long, Rockdale, and Stemmer (Decatur), and Hillandale
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology/Sociology: Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK
• Master of Social Work: University of Georgia in Athens, GA

Rachel is a member of the Jungian Society, the Society for Spirituality in Social Work, and the Georgia Society for Clinical Oncology Social Work. She has special interest in midlife issues, spirituality, and complementary medicine.

Jennifer McNeilly, LMSW

• Offices: DeKalb, Fayetteville, and Stockbridge
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology: University of Georgia in Athens, GA
• Master of Social Work: University of Georgia in Athens, GA

Jennifer is a member of the Georgia Social Work Oncology Group. Her special interests include marriage and family issues, eating disorders, and palliative care.

Michael Rodriguez, LCSW

• Offices: Cobb, Douglasville, Villa Rica, Canton, and Kennestone
• Bachelor of Social Work: University of Georgia in Athens, GA
• Master of Social Work: University of Georgia in Athens, GA

Michael is a member of the Georgia Society for Oncology Social Work. Areas of interest include mood disorders, grief and loss, and alternative complementary medicine.