The Foundation’s board members represent a mix of backgrounds, perspectives, and areas of expertise. However, all share a devotion to fighting tumors of the central nervous system, helping patients and their loved ones, and advancing research.

Prakash Sampath, M.D., Chairman
A desire to improve the treatment and study of neurological tumors drives Dr. Prakash Sampath, a board-certified neurosurgeon. He founded the Rhode Island Neurosurgical Institute in 2005 and has directed it ever since. He also serves as the chief of Neurosurgery at Roger Williams Medical Center and an associate professor at Boston University School of Medicine. Named a top doctor by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, he pursues novel therapies for brain and spine tumors through research.

With a background in biomedical engineering, Dr. Sampath attended the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, obtaining his medical degree in 1992. After that, he went to Johns Hopkins Medical Center for a surgical internship, followed by residencies in neurosurgery and pediatric neurosurgery. He remained at Hopkins for a neuro-oncology fellowship and a faculty job; while there, he received the Harvey Cushing Outstanding Research Award. He later moved on to Brown Medical School, where he worked as director of neuro-oncology and assistant professor of clinical neurosciences until 2007.

Edward G. Stopa, M.D., Vice Chairman
Since 1993, Dr. Edward Stopa has worked as director of neuropathology at Brown Medical School and Rhode Island Hospital. The board-certified pathologist also oversees the
Brown Brain Bank, a human tissue resource for researchers. He holds two professorships at Brown, in pathology and clinical neuroscience. Dr. Stopa has long maintained research ties to the brain bank at McLean Hospital, a teaching facility of Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Stopa earned his medical degree at McGill University in Montreal. After his internship, he trained at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in anatomic pathology and neuropathology. He also completed a clinical pathology fellowship at Harvard Medical School, followed by faculty appointments at Tufts University School of Medicine and State University of New York. His scientific papers explore brain processes in health and in disorders such as brain tumors and Alzheimer’s disease.

Jeffrey M. Rogg, M.D., Secretary
As a board-certified radiologist with added qualification in neuroradiology, Dr. Jeffrey Rogg works as medical director of magnetic resonance imaging and division director of neuroradiology imaging at Rhode Island Hospital. Twice deemed one of the state’s best doctors by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine, he is also affiliated with the Miriam, Women and Infants, and Butler hospitals. In the research he conducts as associate professor of diagnostic imaging at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, he uses magnetic resonance imaging to study disorders of the central nervous system.

Dr. Rogg earned his medical degree in 1982 at the New York University School of Medicine. He stayed in New York City to complete an internship at Montefiore Hospital and a radiology residency at Mount Sinai Hospital. After that, he went to Pittsburgh for a neuroradiology fellowship at Presbyterian-University Hospital. He came to Rhode Island in 1988.

Suzanne Lacroix, MSN, RN, OCN, Treasurer
Suzanne Lacroix, a clinical nurse specialist, heads the quality assurance and infection control program at Bethany Home of Rhode Island in Providence. Her involvement in cancer nursing, which began in 1981, ranges from roles as inpatient medical oncology staff nurse and outpatient nurse coordinator to management jobs in ambulatory oncology. Her work has garnered acclaim: Ms. Lacroix received the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Cancer Society Nurse of the Year Award and the Rhode Island Breast Cancer Coalition Recognition Award.

In addition to a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Rhode Island, Ms. Lacroix has attained certification as an oncology nurse. She has strived to improve nursing practice, particularly in regard to pain management and chemotherapy.

Richard P. Junghans, M.D., Ph.D., Scientific Director
As an oncologist, molecular biologist, and researcher, Dr. Richard Junghans fills many roles. At Roger Williams Medical Center, he serves as chief of the Division of Surgical Research, directs the Biotherapeutics Development Lab, and works in the Hematology-Oncology Division. At Boston University School of Medicine, he holds the title of associate professor of surgery and medicine. He is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology as well as board-eligible in hematology.

Dr. Junghans conducts bench-to-bedside research. He uses molecular engineering techniques to develop new gene therapies and immunotherapies to treat cancer in humans. His current work aims to alter the genes that control virus-fighting T cells so as to redirect them against malignant gliomas and other tumors. In 2004, Dr. Junghans received recognition as an American Cancer Society Research Scholar.

Michelle Gerez, MHA, Executive Director
Michelle Gerez has worked as a health services administrator in a variety of settings, including neurosurgery, long-term care, and primary care. She studied health services administration at Salve Regina University, where she received her Master of Science degree in 2005. Currently, she is president and administrator of Bethany Home of Rhode Island, a skilled nursing facility and independent condominium complex for older people. In addition, through Michelle Gerez Healthcare Consulting, she helps physicians manage their practices.

Ms. Gerez previously worked as the operations manager for the Neurosurgery Foundation, a seven-surgeon medical practice, and as the practice administrator for Healthcare Associates, a large primary-care practice associated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. At Aquidneck Management Associates, she oversaw the business end of eight physical therapy clinics.

Ritu Goel, M.D., Board Member
Dr. Ritu Goel is a board-certified otolaryngologist, a surgeon who treats head and neck disorders. After she graduated from Johns Hopkins University, she went to Philadelphia, where she obtained her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical School in 1993. She completed her residency in ear, nose, and throat medicine under the supervision of Dr. William Keane at Thomas Jefferson Hospital; there she focused on tumors of the neck and head, particularly the lower front part of the skull. After her residency, Dr. Goel joined the faculty at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

Since 1999, Dr. Goel has provided the full range of otolaryngological care to children as well as adults at R.I. Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians. She continues to pursue her interest in tumors of the pituitary and surgery of the anterior skull base.

Laura Hartley, Board Member
Laura Hartley, a legal secretary and office manager, has enjoyed working at the same firm for over 16 years. The mother of three knows first-hand the challenges faced by families when a loved one has a neurological tumor. An astrocytoma threatened the life of her 13-year-old, Michael, who is now recovering. When the brain surgeon who saved her son told her about the Foundation, she welcomed the opportunity to help other families.

Xristin Maestri, RNP, MS, Board Member
Xristin Maestri brings a personal and professional commitment to helping patients, as well as families, who have suffered the impact of a cancer diagnosis. While she was enrolled in an undergraduate nursing program, her husband died of a glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain tumor. Ms. Maestri finished her bachelor’s degree, became certified at Yale-New Haven Hospital as a chemotherapy provider and, in 2007, earned a master’s degree from the nurse practitioner program at the University of Rhode Island. Today, she treats cancer patients as a hematology/oncology nurse practitioner at the Miriam Hospital.

Ms. Maestri’s work history includes attending to patients with neurological conditions at Rhode Island Hospital and terminally ill patients through Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island. At the Neurosurgery Foundation, she not only administered chemotherapy, she set up a new chemotherapy suite and collaborated on clinical trials of cancer-fighting strategies. She also treated patients and coordinated research at the Neurology Foundation.

Sherry L. Masse, MSW, LICSW, Board Member
Clinical social worker Sherry Masse is director of social services for the Life Care Center of Attleboro, a long-term care facility. She takes a holistic approach to caring for patients and supporting families. Previously, she helped patients and families as an oncology clinical social worker at Roger Willliams Medical Center and a hospice social worker for the Visiting Nurse Service of Greater Rhode Island. Her work as social service director for the Catholic Memorial Home of Fall River earned her its “Love Made Visible” Mission Award.

Ms. Masse obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Boston College in 2001. Since then, she has received specialized training in leading cancer-related support groups and helping people cope with serious illness or bereavement. Ms. Masse has volunteered for the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and other nonprofit groups.