Amanda Rowland, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, OCN, is a nurse practitioner who provides advanced practice care to patients at Maryland Oncology Hematology. She has 19 years of experience working in hematology and oncology as a registered nurse, serving patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Amanda works in collaboration with physicians and members of the healthcare team to improve the patient’s quality of life. She works with the patient and the rest of their team to provide individualized, evidence-based care.
Amanda received her Associate Degree in Nursing from Montgomery College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Capella University before receiving her Master of Science in nursing degree from Wilkes University. She is certified in basic life support and credentialed by the Oncology Nursing Credentialing Corp. Amanda is certified as an Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).
Tomeeka Hawthorne, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, OCN, is an adult gerontology nurse practitioner with over 15 years of experience in oncology. Tomeeka received a Bachelor of Science in nursing at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University before earning a Master of Science in nursing at the University of Phoenix and a Post-Graduate Certificate in adult gerontology nurse practitioner – primary care at Duke University.
In 2022, she was named the Medstar Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center Nurse of the Year. Tomeeka is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society, and the Oncology Nursing Society. She is board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
Tomeeka is a dedicated healthcare professional who strives to provide evidence-based individualized patient care. She believes in meeting the needs of every patient with compassion and integrity.
Leslie Lawson, CRNP, has worked as a family nurse practitioner since 2013. Prior to joining Maryland Oncology Hematology, Leslie practiced Internal Medicine for almost a decade- first in Savannah, Georgia, and most recently, in Bowie, Maryland, focusing on a patient-centered, evidence-based approach. Over the years, Leslie became increasingly interested in caring for patients with cancer and blood disorders and chose to join Maryland Oncology Hematology to follow this passion in 2022.
Leslie earned a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Pacific Lutheran University, both in Washington State. Leslie also served in the United States Army as an officer, attaining the rank of Captain. Leslie continues to work on her education, pursuing a specialization in hematology and medical oncology.
Leslie is originally from Boise, Idaho. She relocated with her family to the Annapolis area in 2016 and lives in Severna Park. Her husband, Chris, continues to serve on active duty as a senior United States Army officer. In her personal time, Leslie enjoys spending time with her family- enjoying nature and multiple outdoor sports, including running and competitive horseback riding with her daughter.
Lisa joined Maryland Oncology Hematology in December 2021 as the Breast Surgical Nurse Navigator and brought 23 years of Oncology experience. Lisa has experience in Radiation Oncology with Sibley Memorial Hospital, Inova Fairfax, and Virginia Cancer Specialists. Lisa was a member of the McKesson Clinical Advisory committee for radiation. Lisa then transitioned to the medical oncology specialty and worked as a breast cancer nurse navigator with Virginia Cancer Specialists. She is currently a member of the clinical advisory council for nurse navigators.
Lisa graduated from Elmira College with her BSN and is originally from Toledo, Ohio.
Debbie is an LCSW-C with over 20 years of experience, having practiced in a variety of settings including research, schools, and health care. She believes mental health, including emotional, psychological, and social well-being is essential to one’s overall wellness. Her approach to oncology patients and caregivers is to be a compassionate presence while holding a safe space for them to explore the emotional impact of the diagnosis. This approach provides empathy and utilizes supportive guidance to address common feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Debbie understands that practical barriers and financial challenges often cause distress for patients. She works with patients to identify psychosocial concerns and utilizes community and national resources to best meet their needs. Debbie partners with various organizations in the wider cancer community and can steer patients to meaningful support options as applicable.
Debbie is continually humbled and inspired by the organic relationships created with patients and grateful for the support of the cancer community. Debbie’s services are available to all patients throughout the continuum of care. Patients are referred by physicians and the care team or can reach out directly to discuss needs or schedule an appointment. Support and counseling services are available via telephone, telehealth, chairside or in-person; individual and family counseling is offered onsite.
Jackie believes the primary function of an Oncology Nurse Navigator is to remove barriers to care, expedite care in the most efficient way possible and try to alleviate some of the stress that impacts a cancer patient and their families. Jackie works with multidisciplinary teams of physicians, including radiation oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and specialists in all modalities coordinating care for patients and being an advocate for the patient and their families. The role of the Oncology Nurse Navigator never ends, it lasts through the continuum of care from diagnosis through survivorship and end of life. Jackie has over 19 years of Oncology Nursing experience that includes inpatient, outpatient, and radiation oncology positions. Jackie works closely with our Oncology Social Worker to identify barriers to care and patient needs. As the Oncology Nurse Navigator, Jackie strives to improve patient understanding of their individualized care plans, improve communication within the care team, and ultimately have the patient experience better outcomes.
As an oncology social worker, Amy specializes in helping people negotiate the social and emotional impact of cancer and its treatment by providing various support services designed to complement medical care, foster coping skills and mobilize resources in order to support optimal quality of life. Amy has over 15 years of clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient oncology care settings where she has provided a range of supportive care services, including counseling, to patients and families coping with cancer.
Member of the Association of Oncology Social Work
Mrs. Atekelt Tadese is a Physician Assistant at Maryland Oncology Hematology. Mrs. Tadese went to University of Maryland College Park where she earned Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and Neurobiology. She received a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA. Mrs. Tadese Joined Maryland Oncology Hematology in 2016. She attended City of Hope Intensive course in Cancer Risk Assessment and received certificate in February, 2018.
A native of Syracuse, New York, Adam completed his undergraduate work at Syracuse University in 1988. Pursuing a passion for patient care, he completed his Masters of Medical Science degree at Emory University’s Physician Assistant Program in 1996, graduating with honors. Adam began his career in Hematology-Oncology shortly after graduating, and joined the Maryland Oncology Hematology team in 2003. In addition to providing exceptional care for the patients of our clinic, he has served as a lecturer and mentor for Physician Assistant students.
Tracey has years of patient care experience. She has achieved many educational milestones and received a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Liberty University where her focused dissertation addressed “Improving Clinical Care Practice Outcomes for Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia.” She has participated in pulmonary research and has a special interest in multiple myeloma and breast cancer. Additionally, Tracey completed cancer risk assessment training via City of Hope, Cancer Genomics Program and provides genetic counseling services for patients at Maryland Oncology and Hematology as well as the community.
When she is not working she loves spending time with her family, art design, dancing and traveling.
Lizzy Rauschenberg has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner since 2017. Prior to Maryland Oncology Hematology, Lizzy spent two years in Radiation Oncology in the District of Columbia at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where she specialized in Head and Neck Cancer. During this time, Lizzy developed a passion for symptom management and palliative care.
Continuing her education in oncology care, Lizzy is currently pursuing a Post Masters Certificate in Adult Oncology at University of Pennsylvania. Lizzy has earned a Master of Science in Nursing from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Pennsylvania State University.
In her personal time, Lizzy enjoys spending time outside with her family and her dogs, Nathan and Maya.
Area of Specialty – Bone marrow transplant, leukemia and medical oncology
Laura has worked in clinical and research hematology/oncology practice since 2004, seeing a broad range of malignancies and benign hematologic disorders. She worked at Johns Hopkins Hospital specializing in autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplants.
Prior to joining Maryland Oncology Hematology, she worked as a PA in Neuro-Oncology and Neurosurgery.
Beth became a Nurse Practitioner in 1999. She earned her Master’s degree with honors at Johns Hopkins University in Adult Primary Care. She is an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. Beth has worked in Medical Oncology since 2012 and previously in Radiation Oncology and Primary Care. She earned her Bachelor’s in Nursing from University of Maryland in 1995 and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from James Madison University in 1992.
She is a very proud wife and mother. She enjoys hiking, gardening and organizing.
Kimberly was a bedside nurse on a medical-surgical unit for seven year prior to earning her Masters degree. She learned so much about patient care and compassion from bedside nursing and loves to bring those qualities to the care she provides her patients in the outpatient setting. When not at work Kimberly enjoys spending time with her husband and four kids. They love to go hiking and spending time outdoors.
