You deserve cancer support as healing as the treatement.

Meet the dedicated and caring professionals who work as part of your expanded care network at Roswell Park. One team and coordinated cancer care ensure there is always someone to walk this journey beside you.

Dr. Tallat Mahmood
Medical Director Roswell-Ellis, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

I have been practicing general oncology and hematology for over 20 years. I am particularly interested in Quality improvement, and survivorship issues, and integrating complementary therapy into cancer treatment to make the journey easier. Lung cancer, and GI cancer have been my clinical focus. Research and the way forward is what drives me.

I grew up in Thailand. My father worked for the United Nations as a regional director for rural development in Southeast Asia. He did a lot of work with empowering women to become financially independent. Women’s education was his big focus. My mother had no formal education but she taught herself to speak Thai, she had a poem for every occasion, and she got tutored by my father so she could help us with ours. There were three of us girls, and they were clear: “You are all going to study and get an education. I don’t care what you do, but you’re going to stand on your own two feet.”

I love the theater, and would make sure at least once a year my kids attended at least one play with me. ( of course they would fall asleep in the middle, but now they appreciate it).

Food, cooking, dining out – that’s also a big part of my life. I like to try all sorts of different foods. My vacations with the family are all centered around eating. We’re all focused on where we want to eat, what type of food we’re going to try. [Dr. Mahmood has three grown children and a daughter who will attend elementary school locally in September.]

Education and Training: Aga Khan University—medical school
West Virginia university—residency Internal medicine
Tulane school of medicine—Fellowship in hem/onc
Board Certifications/Licensure: Hematology, oncology, and internal medicine
Residency: West Virginia University
Professional Memberships: ASCO, ASH, ACP

Alyssa Aragosa, MPH, PA-C
Physician Assistant

I have been a practicing Physician Assistant since early 2016. Prior to specializing in oncology and hematology, I was able to gain a strong clinical foundation in both urgent care/emergency medicine as well as wound care and hyperbaric medicine. I am particularly interested in the areas of patient-focused education, cancer survivorship, preventive medicine and health research.

Born and raised in Scotia, I quickly became acquainted with Ellis Hospital and the Schenectady area. I have been a part of the Ellis Medicine team on and off for several years, starting as a patient care technician in the ER and eventually returning a number of years later as a physician assistant. During my time in PA school, I had the remarkable opportunity to do clinical rotations at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in downtown Buffalo. Having that experience certainly helped pave the road to where I am now. It’s an honor to work for an institution I greatly respect in a city that I know and love. The community in this area is unlike any other I have seen in my clinical track, and it is extremely gratifying to be able to now give back to the local oncology and hematology patients.

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling and experiencing new restaurants with my husband. We love to try different types of food and explore new places. A favorite local spot of ours is Lake Placid in the Adirondacks, where we became engaged atop Whiteface Mountain. When not traveling, my husband and I settle in our home in Saratoga, NY with our two (spoiled rotten) cats Maple and Cody. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities such as biking and trail walks, live music and wine tasting.

Education:
Siena College – Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology
SUNY Buffalo – Master of Public Health (MPH) in Epidemiology
D’Youville College – Master of Physician Assistant Studies

License/Certifications:
NYS Licensed Physician Assistant
Board Certified by NCCPA

Professional Memberships: AAPA, WNYPAA, APSHO

Renee Jahn, MSN, RN
Director Medical Oncology

Registered Nurse for 21 years, have worked at Ellis Medicine for almost 20 years in a variety of roles including, Bedside RN, Nurse Educator, Nurse Manager, Performance Improvement, Risk Management, Quality Services and Medical Oncology. Primary specialty areas of focus have included Medical-Surgical, Oncology/Hematology, Hospice and Palliative Care.

Married for 21 years, we have 2 adolescent children who are very active playing softball and baseball. We spend many hours traveling to watch our children play ball!

I love dogs and have a Boxer and Golden Retriever but one of my favorite things to do is home improvement, building new things, painting, redecorating and recreating current spaces to refresh and revive

Education and Training: Master’s in the Science of Nursing (MSN), Just Culture and Lean, Six Sigma Process Improvement

Board Certifications / Licensure: Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN), Just Culture Certification, Lean, Six Sigma Green Belt, (former) Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), (former) Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN), (former) and Board Certified Medical Surgical Nurse (RN-BC)

Professional Memberships: Oncology Nursing Society, New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders

Daniel Rivers
Patient Navigator

I have been employed at Ellis hospital for 16 years and prior to coming to Ellis worked construction for 15 years. I served in the United States Army for 5 years as a Finance clerk – 2 years at Fort Stewart Ga. and three years in Athens Greece.

I have a wife who is an RN and we have 4 children, 2 from previous marriages.
I coached youth sports from football to softball, for several years and finally retired four years ago. I now play in a men’s over 55 softball league and this past summer played on the over 60 softball travel team. This past year, I started to take up golf.

I just retired my DJ company after 34 years. I am a huge NY Mets fan and a football Giants fan.

I enjoy my job at Ellis, I work with great people and enjoy interacting with the patients.

Education and Training: Associates degree in Science
Board Certifications/Licensure: n/a
Professional Memberships: n/a

Brianna Wells (Smith), BSN, RN
Nurse Manager

I have been with Ellis Hospital for four years. I came as a new RN looking to gain experience, which I did and became rookie of the year. I felt a connection with our oncology/hospice/geriatric unit and have not left since. I developed my skills and became an Associate Nurse Manager of the inpatient unit in 2019 and ultimately progressed to Nurse Manager in 2021. I then heard of the great opportunity to work with Roswell Park and the rest is history. I have worked with many of the staff present in this practice throughout the years in our different roles. So we are excited to bring that dysfunctional family atmosphere! Personally, I just got married in May 2021-as you can see above I am in the middle of a name change. We also just bought our first house in Johnstown. We also recently became pet parents to two fish, Gilligan and Skipper. No particular interest in fish but had to give them a good home from the Fonda Fair. In our spare time we love going camping (near Speculator, NY) and traveling to Virginia Beach, VA. I look forward to the practice growing and adding more to the family.

Education and Training: Bachelors of Nursing from Russell Sage College, cum laude
Inducted member of Sigma Theta Tau International, honors society of nursing

Board Certifications/Licensure: ONS chemotherapy and biotherapy certificate

Professional Memberships: Sigma Theta Tau International, honors society of nursing, Oncology Nursing Society

Ellen Goebel, BSN, RN
Clinical Resource Coordinator

I started my career in Pediatrics at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital in Syracuse, NY and then found my niche for 25+years as a Home Infusion RN working for both local and National Infusion companies throughout NYS. Early in my nursing career, I was a Volunteered with Mercy Ships onboard the M/V Good Samaritan and M/V Anastasis and later took an assignment as a Traveling Nurse at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ.

I live in the Southern Adirondacks and enjoy nature, hiking, and kayaking when able. I like Photography, but I especially enjoy photographing children and nature. I have been a Children’s Ski Instructor at Royal Mountain, Caroga Lake. One of my favorite things to do is attend music concerts in the summer, especially the Caroga Lake Music Festival. I love watching my 17 year old twin sons play football and lacrosse.

Board Certifications/Licensure: Licensed Registered Professional Nurse (RN)

Education and Training: I began my undergraduate education at Cortland State College as a Physical Education major but decided to change major and started my nursing education at Crouse Irving Memorial School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY. I received my BSN from Syracuse University.

Professional Memberships: Member of INS/Infusion Nurses Society

Patrick W. Capito R.Ph
Infusion Pharmacist at Ellis Medicine Roswell Park Medical Oncology Clinic

Lifelong area resident. A graduate of Niskayuna Central School. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 1990. Married for 32 years with 3 adult children. Enjoys the outdoors including family camping in the Adirondacks, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Amateur artist/painter and woodworker.

  • Has been a licensed registered Pharmacist in the state of New York and an Inpatient Hospital Pharmacist for 30 years at Ellis Hospital. Special interests include Oncology and Geriatrics.
  • Strong advocate for the safe use/preparation of medications in the treatment of life-challenging conditions.
  • Continues to pursue further education in the area of Oncology.

Education and Training: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Board Certifications/Licensure: Registered/Licensed Pharmacist in NewYork State since 1990

Professional Memberships: Current member of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy.

Amber Van Heusen, PharmD
Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Specialist

Education and Training: I graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2019 with my Doctorate of Pharmacy. I then went on to complete a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at St. Peter’s Hospital. After residency, I started working at Ellis Hospital in the inpatient pharmacy and now I am excited to take on a new role with Roswell Park Medical Oncology here at Ellis! I look forward to working towards becoming board certified in oncology as well.

Board Certifications/Licensure: Doctorate of Pharmacy

Melissa Witkowski, PharmD
Infusion Pharmacist

I graduated from Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2006 with my Doctorate in Pharmacy. I then started working locally in a retail pharmacy as a Supervising Pharmacist. In 2009, I had an opportunity to join the Ellis Hospital inpatient team, where I also covered the outpatient pharmacy on occasion. Now over 12 years later, I’m excited to be joining the Roswell Park Oncology at Ellis team!

After 11 years of marriage, my husband lost his battle with kidney cancer. I spend my free time enjoying life with my two adolescent daughters, and of course my littlest baby our cat Zoe. Having shared my love of travel with them, we’ve flown and driven to many places but our favorite thing so far has been going on cruises! We also go camping and learned how to kayak, and enjoy family movie nights or sitting out by a fire. On my own, I love my vegetable garden and some time to read.

Education and Training: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Board Certifications/Licensure: Doctorate of Pharmacy

Katrina O’Rourke, MSN, RN, CMSRN, OCN
Clinical Resource Coordinator

I graduated from Belanger Nursing School in 2012 and began my career at Ellis Hospital working on a Medical/Surgical Oncology and Hospice Unit. During this time, I obtained my Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Certification, Medical-Surgical Certification, and ONS/Oncology Nursing Certification.

After receiving my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Empire College in 2017, I began working at an Outpatient Oncology practice where I gained experience for 4 more years, and at the same time graduated with my Masters in Nursing Education, also from Empire College. My commitment to lifelong learning and my personal and professional experience caring for Oncology patients, has inspired my goal to become an Oncology Nurse Educator. My heart’s desire is to continue as a lifelong learner and to mentor and teach others.

I am a member of ONS/Oncology Nursing Society and actively attend local meetings. I annually participate in fundraisers, including Schenectady County Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. My entire family joins me on our team, “The Ladybugs” as we honor my own mother, who lost her battle with Breast Cancer.

I love to spend my free time with my husband, 3 children, and our cat. We adopted a cat named Stormi and she lives up to her name, and has the run of our home. Some activities I enjoy include reading, drawing, playing cards and board games with my children. I also golf when able and enjoy nature walks. Recently, as a family we took some day trips to the Hudson Valley area, visiting the Walkway over the Hudson, ART OMI, and Maritime Museum. We enjoyed them all. Another thing we did this summer that my kids are most proud of is being crowned 1st place winners of the first annual Outhouse Race at McConchies Camp Ground. The kids received a golden toilet seat stating, “You’re #1 in the #2 business.” A proud parent moment.

Education and Training: Belanger Nursing School, Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Empire College

Board Certifications/Licensure: Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Certification, Medical-Surgical Certification, and ONS/Oncology Nursing Certification.

Professional Memberships: Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)

Julie Bouck
Multi-Skilled Technician

I have worked with Ellis Medicine for 22 years. During this time I have gained experience in Oncology, Cardiac Cath Lab recovery, Geriatric and Hospice Care. I love to care for others and try to make a difference in one’s day even if it’s only a slight difference. Being able to say you are part of a care team, and helped make someone’s recovery possible
is a feeling like no other. I am a family-oriented person, a mom of a 7-year-old little girl that seems involved in everything. Cheerleading and Taekwondo seem to be the trend at the moment. I frequent Kennebunkport Maine yearly with my family, as it is so relaxing and just a spot to put your feet in the sand and watch the boats. Spare Time is generally spent with family (my husband, daughter and lets not forget the HUGE dog Ralph!!). Biking approximately 15 miles every weekend, and enjoying a backyard fire with friends. I have a bucket list as many people do and one of the things I hope to accomplish is obtaining my RN.

Education and Training: n/a
Board Certifications/Licensure: n/a
Professional Memberships: n/a

Bethany Schmaeh
Multi-Skill Technician

I’m an ambitious, dependable, responsible and caring person. I started my career as a Phlebotomist at Ellis Medicine in October 2016 to present. I also worked as a Clerical Coordinator at Ellis Medicine Dental from February 2020 until they closed in June of 2021.

Other: I love to travel, I’m a huge Harry Potter fan and I’m a proud mama to my cat named Minerva.

Education and Training: I completed a Certified Phlebotomy Technician Course in 2015

Board Certifications/Licensure: n/a

Professional Memberships: n/a

Life-Saving Cancer Care, Nearby In Your Community.

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