Internal Advisory Committee

Joanne Assarsson earned a master’s in social work from The Catholic University of America and has over 20 years of experience as a licensed independent clinical social worker. She is certified in oncology social work and holds licenses in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. As an oncology clinical social worker at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Joanne provides counseling and support to patients and families throughout their cancer experience.  She is particularly sensitive to the emotional impact of illness on parents and their dependent children.  Joanne has pursued specialized training to better support the entire family during a cancer diagnosis and is a graduate of the CLIMB Program (Children’s Lives Include Moments of Bravery) in Denver, Colorado.  She is also trained in a variety of therapeutic modalities including Trauma Informed Care and EMDR. Beyond her clinical work, Joanne has contributed to several quality of life research projects in partnership with other medical centers and universities.

Ami Chitalia, MD, is board certified in internal medicine as well as hospice and palliative medicine. Additionally, she is board certified in medical oncology and hematology. As a hematologist and medical oncologist, Dr. Chitalia focuses on the treatment of breast cancer through the use of chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, and targeted novel therapies through clinical trials. She also specializes in symptom management and setting goals of care as they pertain to patients with an advanced or complicated diagnoses.

Dionne Coker-Appiah, PhD, is an Associate Professor and adolescent psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and Georgetown University Medical Center. As a dedicated scientist-practitioner, she integrates empirical research with evidence-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed care to advance mental health outcomes for adolescents, emerging adults, and families, particularly those impacted by trauma. Dr. Coker-Appiah specializes in adolescent psychology, African American mental health, and family systems, and draws from modalities including Humanistic/Person-Centered Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Insight-Oriented Psychotherapy, and Liberation Psychology. She also provides clinical supervision for doctoral psychology externs, fostering the next generation of culturally-attuned clinicians. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Coker-Appiah is actively engaged in collaborative research, and serves as the Director of Research for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division. She earned her doctoral degree at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and completed postdoctoral fellowship training at Johns Hopkins University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Nancy Eddy is a clinical social worker licensed in Washington DC and Maryland. Since 2012, Nancy has worked in outpatient and inpatient palliative programs with MedStar Health. Nancy's practice focuses on providing psychosocial-spiritual support to patients and families coping with serious illness. Nancy is skilled in crisis intervention, advocacy, and shepherding patients and families through challenging situations. Nancy graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a BA in sociology.  She holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work where she received a Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Award. She also earned a Palliative and End-of-Life Care Certificate from the Smith School of Social Work. Nancy has presented at national conferences, including the Social Work Hospice Palliative Care Network Annual Forum and the Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care. Nancy currently volunteers her time on the Board of Directors of The Good Listening Project (a national nonprofit with the mission to cultivate resilience and wellbeing in healthcare communities). Nancy has also volunteered as a grief support group leader at Roberta's House in Baltimore, MD, and as a grief camp volunteer at Camp Nabi in Anne Arundel County.

Sara Field is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in DC and holds an Oncology Social Work certification. She earned her Masters Degree in social work at The Catholic University of America and has worked in oncology for nearly a decade. Sara currently serves as the clinical social worker and patient experience supervisor at the Ourisman Breast Center at MedStar Georgetown and previously worked at The George Washington Cancer Center. She volunteered with Camp Kesem as a mental health professional and led staff trainings. Sara partners with The Smith Center to offer psychoeducation and support groups as well. Sara has a strong interest in the intersection of emotional and physical health and a particular passion for supporting parents with cancer and their children.

Arlen Gaines is the Director of Social Work for palliative care at MedStar Health. She has extensive experience leading psychosocial teams in supporting individuals with serious illness and their families. Over nearly two decades of clinical practice, Dr. Gaines developed a specialized focus on supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in their grief and speaks nationally on this subject. She is the co-author of the award-winning I Have a Question series, which helps children, including those with developmental disabilities, understand complex topics like death and cancer. She earned her doctorate in palliative care from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, where she focused her research on the grief and bereavement experiences of children with intellectual disabilities.

Amy Ly is the senior clinical social work coordinator at the Georgetown Cancer Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She holds a Master's in social work from Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor's of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. She has over a decade of experience in providing therapy, crisis intervention, and case management.  She currently leads a team of social workers, patient navigators, financial navigators, and community partners in ensuring comprehensive care for oncology patients, advocating for patient rights and addressing barriers to healthcare access. Amy's career has been characterized by her diverse training and expertise in a wide array of therapeutic approaches, including Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and more. Whether working with individuals, families, or communities, Amy’s holistic, client-centered approach focuses on promoting resilience and well-being through empathy, expertise, and a commitment to social justice.

Reverend Dyan McCray is a dedicated palliative care chaplain who has served at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital for the past 10 years, offering spiritual support and compassionate care to patients and their families. With a deep passion for meeting the needs of others, she brings a wealth of theological expertise, holding three degrees in theology, including a Doctor of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Beyond her work in healthcare, she is the founding pastor of a thriving non-denominational church in Washington, DC, where she has provided leadership and guidance for 25 years. Her ministry extends into the arts as well--she is an accomplished writer, focusing on reflections and poetry, as well as a gifted musician. A composer and a cappella vocalist, she also finds joy in the companionship of her beloved Yorkshire Terrier. With a life devoted to faith, creativity, and service, she continues to inspire and uplift those around her through her work, music, and words.

Christina Sharkey is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology at The Catholic University of America. She earned her doctoratoral degree in clinical psychology, with a specialization in pediatric psychology, at Oklahoma State University and completed her post-doctoral fellowship in the Brain Tumor Institute at Children's National Hospital. Dr. Sharkey's clinical work has centered on providing behavioral and psychological support to children diagnosed with cancer and their families, with psychotherapy techniques grounded in cognitive-behavioral and acceptance and commitment-based models. Her work emphasizes the family system, which pays particular attention to the parent-child relationship in the context of cancer. Dr. Sharkey's research  applies a developmental-ecological framework to examining risk and resilience trajectories and promoting positive health behaviors among families impacted by cancer. As a pediatric cancer prevention-control scientist, Dr. Sharkey conducts research that leverages a prevention framework and family-based approaches with the ultimate goal of promoting the quality of life of parents and children impacted by cancer.