I am a radiation oncologist and System Chair of Radiation Oncology at the University of Vermont Health Network and the University of Vermont Cancer Center, where I lead a department spanning multiple sites across Vermont and northern New York. My clinical practice focuses on genitourinary and central nervous system malignancies, and I lead the Genitourinary Transdisciplinary Team there, coordinating multidisciplinary care and our GU clinical trial portfolio. My research centers on health services and cost-effectiveness methodology, with an emphasis on how we deliver high-value cancer care to rural populations. I serve as an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics and am active in NRG Oncology cooperative group trials as well as my own investigator-initiated research at the University of Vermont.

My involvement with NNECOS has grown over the years from meeting attendee to speaker, panelist, and abstract co-author. Some of the work I value most has been mentoring trainees and students who present at NNECOS meetings, several of whom have also received NNECOS funding. I see that as one of the society’s most important functions: giving trainees in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont a regional forum to share their work and build careers here.

I would bring experience running a multi-site oncology program in a rural region and a practical familiarity with the financial pressures facing our practices. Delivering high-quality care across northern New England means contending with distance and with the economic realities facing the health systems and practices that serve our patients, and I think this is an area where NNECOS has real room to grow. I serve on the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s Health Policy Committee, and would welcome the chance to bring that perspective to NNECOS’s advocacy work, particularly where policy shapes what rural practices can sustain. I would also like to explore where we might collaborate on clinical research across the region, since our populations are similar enough that shared accrual could make studies feasible that no single practice can support alone. Finally, I am also committed to growing NNECOS’s educational programming and its trainee grant and mentorship efforts, which are how we build the next generation of oncologists in this region.

I would be honored to help steward an organization that has been a consistent home for the oncology community of northern New England.

I am an Oncology Nurse Navigator with more than 20 years of oncology nursing experience spanning inpatient bedside care, home health nursing, nursing education, and oncology navigation. Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting patients and families through every stage of the cancer journey while championing high-quality, patient-centered care.

My diverse background has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of oncology care across the continuum. As a bedside oncology nurse, I cared for patients during active treatment and acute illness. In home health, I developed a deeper appreciation for the challenges patients face once they leave the clinical setting. As a nursing clinical instructor, I helped educate and mentor future nurses, fostering both clinical excellence and compassionate care. In my current role as an Oncology Nurse Navigator, I collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care, remove barriers to treatment, educate patients and families, and advocate for optimal outcomes from diagnosis through survivorship.

I have been actively involved with the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society (NNECOS), where I am passionate about advancing oncology education, collaboration, and professional development. In addition, I currently serve on the NAHPAC Committee and co-chair the Engagement Task Force, where I work to strengthen member involvement, foster professional connections, and support initiatives that enhance participation and value for oncology professionals. I also teach a portion of the Oncology Certified Nurse Review Course, which allows me to share my knowledge and experience while helping oncology nurses prepare for certification and continued professional growth.

If elected to the Board, I would bring a broad oncology perspective, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to fostering engagement within our oncology community. My experience in direct patient care, education, navigation, and organizational leadership enables me to understand the needs of patients, caregivers, clinicians, and healthcare organizations. I am dedicated to supporting the mission of NNECOS, promoting professional development, and contributing to innovative initiatives that improve cancer care throughout Northern New England.

I moved to Maine the day after I finished fellowship training, on July 1, 2019, joining the oncology service line at MaineHealth. Since then, I have had the privilege of helping build our hematology and oncology fellowship program, and we graduated our first class of fellows in June 2026. This academic involvement has also encouraged me to foster a closer relationship between NNECOS and our fellowship program.

It has been amazing to become part of such a strong network of people caring for hematology and oncology patients throughout our communities. I have particularly enjoyed attending the annual conference, participating in abstract and grant reviews, and supporting my fellows as they become involved with NNECOS as liaisons to the organization.

As a member of the Board, I would bring my perspective as a fellowship program director, clinician, and researcher to help support the many projects and the amazing work that NNECOS does. I would also hope to help strengthen the connection between NNECOS and trainees across the region, while contributing to the organization’s educational, research, and professional development efforts. I am excited about the opportunity to give back to an organization that has helped foster such a strong sense of community among those caring for patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases throughout northern New England.

Dr. Ivy Riano is a thoracic oncologist at Dartmouth Cancer Center in Lebanon, NH, and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. She completed her hematology and oncology fellowship at Dartmouth Cancer Center, where she now leads clinical and research efforts focused on developing innovative strategies for the prevention and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Her work includes the use of molecularly targeted therapies and immunotherapies. She has published on key topics in lung cancer immunotherapy and currently serves as Co-Chair of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Stage I–IIIA NSCLC Guideline Update.

Dr. Riano is actively involved in clinical research at Dartmouth Cancer Center — the only NCI-designated cancer center in New Hampshire — where she is committed to improving cancer care for patients in rural and underserved communities in the New England area.

In addition to her clinical and research roles, Dr. Riano is a dedicated member of the ASCO Trainee & Early Career Advisory Group and served as the Early-Career Oncologist Liaison to the ASCO State Affiliate Council (term 2023–2025). Her involvement with ASCO has been instrumental in shaping her leadership in oncology, providing a national platform to advocate for equitable cancer care, support early-career oncologists, and promote cross-institutional collaboration.

Since the beginning of her fellowship, Dr. Riano has been an active member of NNECOS. She has contributed to the organization through her participation in the Palliative Care Symposium Planning Committees (2024 and 2025) and currently serves on the NNECOS Advocacy Task Force. As part of her advocacy efforts, she traveled to Capitol Hill in both 2024 and 2025 to meet with lawmakers from New Hampshire, voicing support for policies that improve cancer care and patient outcomes. In recognition of her leadership and advocacy, Dr. Riano was named a 2025 ASCO Advocacy Champion, an honor awarded to members who go above and beyond in promoting policies that benefit cancer patients and the broader oncology community. Her ongoing engagement reflects a deep commitment to the mission of NNECOS and to advancing cancer care across the Northern New England region.

I have been actively involved with NNECOS since 2019, initially as a Fellow Liaison and now as a member of the Board of Directors. Over this time, I have served on several committees, including the Student/Trainee and Research Grants Committees. NNECOS has supported both my independent research and student-mentored projects, and this work has been presented at the NNECOS Annual Meeting.

I am a clinical health psychologist who specializes in the field of psycho-oncology. I am a current board member of NNECOS and chair the Philanthropy Task Force. The oncology community is increasingly recognizing that psychological, behavioral, and social factors influence treatment adherence, quality of life, symptom burden, decision-making, survivorship, and caregiver well-being. As a psychologist, I offer an interdisciplinary lens to the NNECOS community and support the mission of NNECOS by highlighting the psychological and behavioral dimensions that are integral components of high-quality oncology care.

Yoni has been involved with NNECOS since 2019. As an invited guest via the adopt a colleague program, he quickly realized the comprehensive patient benefits and clinical opportunities of this amazing regional ASCO affiliated society.

Thanks to NNECOS’ vast array of areas for involvement, over the past 7 years, Yoni has published data on VTE prevention in conjunction with the University of Vermont thanks to a NNECOS grant, presented at the annual conference twice about expanding access to bispecific t-cell engager antibodies, conducted CE lectures in the Portland area about bispecifics, become an active member of the board, and acts as the current chair of the advocacy committee. This past April, Yoni traveled to Washington D.C. to participate in the annual ASCO Advocacy Hill Day. Spending several days engaged with like-minded, patient-centered oncology professionals advocating for the patients of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont was truly exhilarating.

What Yoni finds the most inspiring about NNECOS is the interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes every health care professional’s role in the care of patients battling cancer and blood disorders.

He is proud to be a current board member and would love nothing more than to continue promoting pharmacy expertise and patient advocacy to the NNECOS community.