Doctors
Audrey Dang, MD
Interim Chair - Radiation Oncology
Phone: 504-988-7444
Email: pdang1@tulane.edu
Dr. Dang is a New Orleans native who attended Tulane University for undergraduate study double majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Asian Studies. She completed the last year of her Asian Studies program at the University of Singapore. Dr. Dang returned to Tulane University to earn her Doctorate in Medicine.
She authored and co-authored multiple research publications in high-impact journals.
Physicists
Anthony Mazza
Dosimetrists
Virginia Bubenzer, CMD, MPH
Email:vbubenze@tulane.edu
Virginia Bubenzer CMD, MPH is a board certified medical dosimetrist, practicing for over 16 years, 12 of them in Tulane’s Radiation Oncology Department. After completing M.D. Anderson’s program in Radiation Therapy, Virginia then received her Master’s of Public Health in Health Systems Management from Tulane School of Public Health in 2001. Returning to Houston, she completed the medical dosimetry program at U.T.M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in 2004. Virginia also has a Certificate of Clinical Research granted by Tulane School of Medicine.
As a senior medical dosimetrist, Virginia works with the Radiation Oncologists and the Medical Physics team to design treatment plans for our patients. Treatment techniques employed during the planning process include image fusion, 3 dimensional planning, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Volumetric Modulated Radiation Therapy (VMAT), Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS). Medical dosimetrists are also involved in the development of customized treatment devices.
Carol Boyd, CMD
Email:carol.boyd@hcahealthcare.com
What is the Role of a Medical Dosimetrist?
The medical dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team working in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist. Through knowledge of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment and application of principles of physics, anatomy and radiobiology, the dosimetrist generates life-saving radiation therapy treatment plans.
Financial Coordinator
Shawna Blackmore
Email: shawna.blackmore@hcahealthcare.com
Shawna Blackmore, Financial Counselor, assists patients with insurance and patient funding options. Shawna began her start with Tulane in 2017 and became a financial counselor in 2018. Cancer is one of the most expensive diseases and is constantly rising in healthcare costs. As a financial counselor, Shawna advises patients of their co-pays and provides a meaningful estimate of patients’ financial responsibility during their care at Tulane Cancer Center. She also applies for funding assistance for oral medications based on availability of funding and diagnosis. Shawna has received over $100k in funding assistance since her journey here in the Cancer Center. Her knowledge of finance offers patient support, understanding, and relief about the medical bills they have or will receive.
Radiation Therapists
Shannon Stewart
Mandy Mumphrey
Jonathan Bourgeois
Jennifer Lewis
Nurses
Nadia Barthelemy
Chanel
Nutritionist
Michele Fradella, RD, CSO, LDN
Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition
Phone: 504-988-6365
Originator of the Nutrition Services Program at Tulane
Young Dietitian of the Year by the Louisiana Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
Melissa Barrois, LMSW
Email: Melissa.Barrois@hcahealthcare.com
Melissa Barrois, LMSW is a master’s level social worker. Melissa provides free services to patients from diagnosis through treatment. Services include education, advocacy, discharge planning, case management, as well as, referrals to community and national resources such as financial and medication assistance and transportation. The services are designed to maximize the patient's utilization of the health care system. Melissa acts as a liaison with the healthcare team and provides for the psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, and practical needs of patients and their caregivers.
