Cancer Care Nurse Navigators
Our Cancer Care or Oncology Nurse Navigators work directly with the patient and family, free of charge, to develop a program of support that is designed to meet their specific needs. The navigators are able to:
- Provide information and support at the time of a new diagnosis, recurrence or end of life.
- Serve as a knowledgeable clinical resource on many issues, including symptom management and family support needs.
- Be a familiar, consistent source of support between treatment settings (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, doctor’s office, hospital, clinic).
Brooke Martin, BSN, RN
GI and Hepatobiliary Oncology Clinical Nurse Navigator
Brooke is a Bachelor’s prepared nurse who grew up in Columbia, SC. She relocated to Charleston, SC for college where she attended Charleston Southern University and graduated in 2019. She has a background in emergency medicine and outpatient oncology at the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. She oriented new nurses into their role in Infusion- teaching proper handling and administration of Chemotherapy/Biotherapy per Oncology Nursing Society guidelines. Her personal mission is to educate and empower patients to be an active member of their care team. Outside of work, she loves thrifting and trying new outdoor activities such as rock climbing, surfing, and hiking.
Jennifer “Jenny” Budig-Rubbelke, BSN, RN, OCN
Breast, Melanoma and other cancer Oncology Clinical Nurse Navigator
Jenny is a native of Wisconsin – and yes, it does get cold there in the winter! Having been a nurse for 15 years; she started her nursing career in the Emergency Department and after 6 years moved over to work in the Medical Outpatient Oncology Department. In Oncology, as a jack of all trades, she worked as an Infusion Nurse, Nurse Navigator, Breast Care Coordinator and Oncology Clinic Nurse.
She moved to the Charleston area in October 2019 and in November began working as an Infusion Nurse at the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. After 4 years in the infusion department, she is excited to work as an Oncology Clinical Nurse Navigator where she hopes to use her oncology knowledge and experience to make a cancer patient’s journey smoother by identifying and decreasing barriers to treatment, provide clinical resources and education and work as a liaison with the patient’s cancer care team.
She enjoys gardening, walking her dogs, spending time with family, and cheering for the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers!
She received a BA in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her BSN from University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.
April Hicks, BSN, RN-BC
Genitourinary, Head, Neck & Thyroid, and Neuro Oncology Clinical Nurse Navigator
April is a native of Charleston. She completed her nursing degree in 2009. Her background is in Neurosciences, where she has worked her entire career. She has a certification in Medical-Surgical Nursing.
She has served as a Charge Nurse, Clinical Coach, Nurse Preceptor and has been active in Shared Governance while working at the bedside on the Neuro-Spine Unit at St. Francis Hospital.
April started the inpatient navigation program for Neurosurgery where she collaborated with patients, physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and many other interdisciplinary members of the healthcare team.
She is excited to begin her new role as an Oncology Nurse Navigator and looks forward to spreading compassion as well as being a source of strength to those she comes in contact with every day.
Renee Litton, MS, BSN, RN
Bone/Connective Tissue/Sarcomas, Gynecologic, Esophageal, and Lung Oncology Clinical Nurse Navigator
Renee holds an advanced degree in palliative care and is credentialed in chemotherapy/biotherapy administration. She has extensive oncology nursing experience and has worked with patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Renee is sensitive to the impact a cancer diagnosis can have on the individual and entire family. Her goal is to be a source of information, support and compassion.
On her days off, Renee loves spending time with her family and dreaming of traveling.
She received her BSN from Marshall University and attended graduate school at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Barbara “BJ” Mack, LPN
Community Outreach Patient Navigator
Barbara Mack was born and raised in downtown Charleston, and earned her practical nursing degree from the Roper PN school. She has always been drawn to help others in her community to access information and resources for healthcare screenings and chronic disease.
She has worked for Roper St. Francis Healthcare for over 43 years. Since very early in her career, she has found fulfillment when providing support and education to patients diagnosed with cancer. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family and scrapbooking, sewing and riding her bike.
Elizabeth Strojny, MSN, RN, OCN
Lung Screening Clinical Nurse Navigator
Elizabeth has over 20 years of oncology experience working inpatient, outpatient, research, infusion and multiple areas of patient navigation. She earned an advanced nursing degree in leadership and management and maintains her oncology nurse certification. Elizabeth has worked with patients throughout diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. In her current role, she leads and coordinates the Lung Cancer Screening program and is certified in Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy administration.
She received her MSN in Leadership in Management in 2009 from Walden University
Survivorship Coordinator
Our Cancer Survivorship Coordinator helps to transform each cancer survivor’s experience through education, tools and support. Find out more about our Cancer Survivorship program and its offerings.
Kelly M. Pabst, MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, AOCNS
Cancer Survivorship Program Coordinator
Kelly has been an oncology nurse for over 30 years and has worked for Roper St. Francis Healthcare for more than half her career, in both inpatient and outpatient roles. She is a board-certified adult clinical nurse specialist and has a specialty certification as an advanced oncology clinical nurse specialist. She has served as the advanced practice nurse for the Cancer Survivorship Program since its start in 2016. Kelly believes in the power of knowledge and understanding, and through the cancer survivorship program, she aims to help others find a sense of control and to be able to advocate for themselves.
She received her BSN from The Ohio State University and her master’s from the Medical University of South Carolina.
In her spare time, she loves watching college sports, gardening and getting exercise in the fresh air while listening to an audiobook.
Registered Dietitians
Rylee Lin, RD, LD
Dietitian Specialist at the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Cancer Center
Rylee is a Registered Dietitian (RD) who was born and raised in Texas. She became an RD in 2021 after completing her Dietetic Internship at Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) in Dallas, TX. She previously served as an Inpatient Oncology Dietitian in Dallas, TX. She has moved to Charleston, SC to continue her career as a Outpatient Oncology Dietitian.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, snowboarding, and doing all things outdoors.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Texas Christian University and Dietetic Internship at Baylor University Medical Center.
Andrea Zalno, RDN, LDN
Dietitian Specialist at the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Cancer Center
Andrea is the outpatient dietitian at the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. Andrea has been practicing nutrition in the clinical setting since graduating from Seton Hill University in 2010 where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition and dietetics and a minor in psychology. Andrea started her career at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center before moving to Charleston in 2014 when she began working at Roper Hospital. A triple negative breast cancer survivor herself, Andrea has a love for nutrition and a passion for helping others meet their wellness goals to live a balanced life. She loves Jesus, reading, being outdoors and spending time in the kitchen with her family and friends.
Exercise Specialist
Our Exercise Specialist connects with patients at various points along their cancer journey to help guide them through appropriate exercises. Goals include:
- Build strength
- Increase endurance
- Increase flexibility
This allows patients to tolerate treatment better and experience an overall better quality of life.
Exercise techniques may include:
- Machines and free weights (can be done at Roper Hospital or at home)
- Yoga
- Mindfulness/meditation
- Breathing exercises
Kelly Hauschild, CWS, RYT
Exercise Physiologist, Patient Navigator
Kelly has over 20 years of experience as an exercise physiologist. She specialized in cardiac rehab early in her career and then moved to cancer rehab. She has accumulated numerous certifications along the way, including therapeutic yoga teacher, herbalist, cancer wellness specialist, holistic health practitioner, as well as plant-based nutrition certificates. Kelly currently runs the cancer wellness exercise program at Roper Hospital, where she has the privilege of blending all these specialties into one amazing program.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Lander University.
Oncology Social Workers/ Psychosocial Patient Navigators-Clinical Therapy
Elisabeth “Lizzy” Winn, LMSW
Psychosocial Patient Navigators - Clinical Therapy
Lizzy is the psychosocial patient navigator clinical therapist at the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Lizzy has been practicing social work in the clinical setting since graduating from East Stroudsburg University in 2016 where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Lizzy went on to earn her Master’s Degree in social work at the Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Lizzy moved to Charleston in October 2021 where she started her medical social work career. In her spare time, Lizzy loves going to the beach, shopping, reading, workout classes and spending time with her friends and family.
Healing Boutique
Bethany Wilson
Massage Therapist
Bethany is a massage therapist at the Healing Boutique in Roper St. Francis Cancer Center. She graduating from Southeastern College in Charlotte, NC for Neuromuscular Massage Therapy in 2009. She moved back to Charleston in 2011 and have practiced massage since then. She is passionate about providing massage therapy as an essential option for overall health and well-being. In her spare time, Bethany loves to read, listen to music, organize, and go to the beach and mountains.
Oncology Leadership & Support
Megan Baker, MD
Breast Cancer Specialist
Dr. Megan Baker is a breast cancer specialist with Roper St. Francis Physician Partners Breast Surgery who has dedicated her career to treating benign and malignant breast conditions. She earned her degree from Columbia University and her medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine. Dr. Baker completed her surgical residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, with additional training in oncoplastic breast surgery at Case Western Reserve University. She is board certified in general surgery. Dr. Baker began practicing at Roper St Francis in 2015 after serving 10 years as the Medical Director of Comprehensive Breast Care at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Hollings Cancer Center. Since joining Roper St. Francis, Dr. Baker has served as the physician leader of the surgery and perioperative services. She is currently the medical director of the Roper St. Francis Cancer Center and the director of the system-wide cancer care program. Dr. Baker leads a multidisciplinary team of experienced advanced practice providers, nurses and support staff who are passionate about breast health and understand the concerns and sensitivities related to those with breast cancer. She treats the full range of breast cancers, with expertise in high-risk breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy and familial breast-ovarian syndrome. Dr. Baker has been an active participant in breast cancer clinical trials throughout her career and continues to do so today.
Shelley Usher, MSN, RN, CBCN
Manager, Donna Fielding Cancer Wellness Institute Program
Shelley has over 25 years of oncology experience with an emphasis on women’s cancers. Shelley has worked with cancer patients in both the inpatient and office setting. She has nine years of outpatient oncology clinical nurse navigation experience. Shelley believes in the power of education when it comes to managing a cancer diagnosis.
She is the Manager of the Donna Fielding Cancer Wellness Institute Program. She oversees the Cancer Support Services team, which includes Oncology Clinical Nurse Navigators, Community Outreach Patient Navigator, Survivorship Coordinator, Licensed Social Workers, Exercise Specialist and Massage Therapist.
Shelley received her BSN from Clemson University and her MSN in Healthcare Administration from the University of South Carolina. She is a Certified Breast Care Nurse.
Wendy Miller
Oncology Support Assistant
Wendy grew up in the Tricounty area and is a graduate of Summerville High School. She has 16 years of experience in oncology.
Wendy is the Referral Coordinator for the Lung Nodule Program. She is involved in handling day-to-day patient and staff needs and is the point of contact for the volunteers at the West Ashley Cancer Center.
Wendy connects to patients wherever they are in their cancer journey and provides them support, comfort, and kindness to lift their spirits.
In her spare time, Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, baking, and loves going to estate sales. She and her family dedicate their time to uplifting the spirit of the homeless in the community with meals and essential items.