Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Team
6569 N. Charles St.,
Pavilion West, Suite 401
Towson
, MD 21204
Berman Parking Garage
(443) 849-8940
MEET YOUR
MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM
Head and Neck Surgeons
Ray Blanco, MD, FACS
Farzad Masroor, MD
Head & Neck Nurse Navigator
Karen M. Ulmer, MS, RN, CORLN
Oncology Social Workers
Karen Harrer, MSW, LCSW-C, OSW-C
Oncology Dietitian
Allison Francis, RD
Radiation Oncology
Geoffrey Neuner, MD
Kruti Patel, MD
Dental Maxillofacial
Ghassan Sinada, DDS
Medical Oncology
Mei Tang, MD
Ari Elman, MD
Spiritual Support
Reverend Saundra Rector, M.Div., BCC, CCISM
Infectious Disease
Theodore C. Bailey, MD, JD, MA
Karoll J. Cortez, MD, MHS, FACP
Pathology
Robert Palmero, MD
Lindsey Giocochea, MD
We provide multidisciplinary care
of the head and neck cancer patient:
Specialized ~ Coordinated ~ Comprehensive
We provide patient-centered, multidisciplinary care of cancer and non-cancer conditions which has drawn patients to our Center from all across the globe. From the start, every head and neck cancer patient is offered a coordinated plan of care from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation. Our integrated approach combines all of these specialties to provide the latest advances in diagnostics, treatment, research, and support services: Speech-language Pathology, Otolaryngology Nurse Specialist, Oncology Registered Dietician, Oncology Social Work, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Oral Pathology, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, and Radiology.
Going beyond your physical needs to provide emotional and practical support. Our care doesn't end with state-of-the-art surgery and advanced technology. The Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center also provides a wide range of programs and services to improve our patients' quality of life. Patients and family members receive exceptional care through counseling and education, discharge planning, home health care coordination, support groups, head and neck cancer tumor board meetings, multidisciplinary patient care conferences, and more. Every step of the way, our patients experience compassion from people who care in a healing, supportive environment.
Collaborating with the Head & Neck Surgery Team. The Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center's multidisciplinary team works hand-in-hand with GBMC's on-site Head & Neck Surgery team-offering expertise in organ preservation, microvascular and laryngeal surgery, minimally invasive techniques, voice rehabilitation, and research-based clinical trials. The Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center also manages all types of laryngeal voice problems including benign and malignant lesions, neurological disorders, and vocal dysfunction due to behavioral causes.
OUR SERVICES
From the start, every head and neck cancer patient is offered a coordinated plan of care from diagnosis through treatment, recovery and rehabilitation.
Learn more about our multidisciplinary team care plan (Head and Neck Clinical Pathway) and our patient care plan:
Care Plan - CLICK HERE
Each patients' physical and emotional needs are addressed through programs and services with the primary goal of optimizing patient's quality of life by providing team intervention through:
- Head and neck tumor board and patient care interdisciplinary conferences
- Speech pathology, nursing, psychosocial and nutritional rehabilitation services
- Counseling and education for patients and family members
- Discharge planning and home health care coordination
- Patient and family support groups
- Nutrition Lecture Series
- Ongoing patient educational programs
- Oral Cancer Screenings
- Voice Screenings
Amberlynn Fenner, MS, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Karen Harrer, MSW, LCSW-C, OSW-CS
Board Certified Oncology Social Worker, Member of Association of Oncology Social Workers.
Karen has a clinical interest in assisting head and neck cancer patients and their families with the emotional adjustments and practical issues related to diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Bushra Lohrasbi, MA CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Allison Francis, RD
Oncology Dietician
Ana Minisci, MS, CCC-SLP
Ana graduated with her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2007 from Loyola University of Maryland. Her areas of interest are in swallowing disorders and voice disorders. She has extensive experience with medically complex patient populations, NICU, PICU, and pediatrics. Her current focus is on the head and neck cancer population. She is a member of the ASHA special interest groups for swallowing disorders, voice and upper airway disorders. She is certified in MBSImP, McNeill Dysphagia Treatment Program, and LSVT Loud.
Karen M. Ulmer, MS, RN, CORLN
Karen has 30+ years experience working with head and neck oncology patients and their families/friends. She enjoys working with patients throughout their cancer journey, from diagnosis and treatment through long-term survivorship. Karen co-facilitates the Dance Center’s monthly Head & Neck Cancer Patient and Family Support Group.
Karen has expertise in the management of tracheostomies. She is available for both inpatient and outpatient consultations. She presents locally and nationally on a variety of Head & Neck Cancer topics.
Karen’s involvement in Head & Neck Cancer extends beyond GBMC. She is an active member of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses (SOHN). She currently serves as the chair of the SOHN National Education Committee and is SOHN’s Accredited Provider Program Director. Karen serves on the Board of Directors for Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC). She is also a member of the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative (GTC) and the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+).
