Christine joined Inova in 1991 as a new graduate nurse and the Life with Cancer team in 2013. She is a seasoned oncology nurse, with over 29 years’ experience at Inova. She has worked in many areas across the system which include medical, radiation oncology, stem cell transplant and as an Oncology educator for nurses. Christine has been an active member of the Oncology Nursing Society. Locally she has participated in the local ONS chapter of Northern Virginia and served as a board member.

Darah joined Life with Cancer in September 2009. She was initially hired to support pediatric oncology patients and families at Inova’s outpatient clinic. After several years of working with that population, she transitioned to adult work and was based as an Oncology Therapist Inova Fairfax Hospital’s inpatient adult oncology unit. In February 2019, Darah took a leadership position within Life with Cancer and presently manages the Fairfax Hospital and outpatient Family Center clinical teams.

Emily is a Registered Dietitian who recently joined Life with Cancer in March 2022. Emily is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with her master’s in Dietetics.  She formerly worked on the bone marrow transplant unit at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, where she first discovered her passion for oncology before relocating to the Northern Virginia area to work on the inpatient oncology unit at Inova Alexandria Hospital for the past 3 years.

Erin joined Life with Cancer in 2021 and is passionate about working with individuals and families to support their mental health and wellness needs during the course of their treatment. As a licensed clinical social worker, Erin has more than a decade worth of experience providing individual, family and group therapy to children, adolescents and adults in both the inpatient and outpatient mental health setting, most recently holding a clinical social work position in an inpatient behavioral health hospital.

Jane joined Life with Cancer in 2020 after working six years in both clinic and inpatient pediatric hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant unit. She earned her Master’s in Art Therapy and Counseling at The George Washington University. As an oncology clinical therapist and art therapist, Jane provides individual outpatient therapy that promotes both verbal and non-verbal expression for children, adolescents, and adults impacted by a cancer diagnosis.

Jemma joined the team at Life with Cancer in May 2021. As a pediatric oncology therapist, Jemma strives to provide evidence-based and trauma-informed care to children, adolescents, and families impacted by cancer. Jemma received her Bachelor of Social Work degree from James Madison University. She continued on to receive her Master of Social Work degree with a specialization in Health Care Practice from the University of Washington, and is currently working towards her clinical licensure in Social Work.

Jenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 12 years of experience in mental health and substance abuse.  Prior to joining Life with Cancer in 2020, she worked as a Clinical Therapist for seven years with the Inova Juniper Program, providing support and education to those living with HIV.  She facilitates the breast cancer and bladder cancer support groups as well as provides individual, couples and family therapy.  Jenna’s interests include how life changing illnesses impact one’s self esteem and identity.  Jenna received her BA in psychology at George Washington University and her M

Jennifer Bires is the Executive Director of Life with Cancer and Patient Experience for the Inova Schar Cancer Institute. She previously served as the Executive Director at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC after almost a decade of experience as an oncology social worker in the DC area. Jennifer has a passion for improving access to psychosocial services for those impacted by cancer. She specializes in working with Young Adults who have been diagnosed with cancer, end of life concerns and issues and sexual health.

Jessica joined Life with Cancer in January 2021 as an Oncology Nurse Navigator. Jessica earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at York College of Pennsylvania in 2006 and subsequently worked her entire career with the pediatric oncology population as a certified pediatric oncology nurse.

Karen is a licensed Clinical Social Worker and has an Oncology Social Work Certification. She earned her master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001. She has worked in the field of oncology for over 35 years. She joined Life with Cancer in 2014. Prior to coming to Life with Cancer she worked at Inova Loudoun Hospital in the Radiation Oncology department for 17 years. In December 2014, she moved to Inova Fair Oaks Hospital (IFOH), and assumed the role of oncology clinical therapist for Life with Cancer.