Meet Our Research Nurses
The research nurses at Norris Cotton Cancer Center work in collaboration with clinical research coordinators and investigators to coordinate the care of patients in clinical trials, ensuring that the trial runs smoothly and in the best interests of the patients in the clinical trial. As patient advocates, their involvement starts early in the process, as they work with the doctors to explain to patients considering a clinical trial the purpose, benefits, and risks of the trial.
Once a patient is in a clinical trial, the research nurse becomes the point person working on the patient's behalf, coordinating communication among the myriad medical personnel providing the patient's care and working with the treating team to manage symptoms and track the patient's tolerance of the treatment. Their overriding concern is assuring that the patient's well being and quality of life are maintained while adhering to the requirements of the protocol.
Sara Simeone, RN, BSN
Research Nurse Manager
Sara Simeone holds a BA from Boston College, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing in 2002. She has worked at DHMC since 2003, where she joined the Office of Clinical Research in 2007 and became Research Nurse Manager in 2008.
Sara says: "I particularly enjoy the opportunities that this role offers to blend my experiences prior to my nursing training with my chosen profession of nursing in order to facilitate excellent care for people with cancer."
Brian Highhouse, RN, BSN, OCN
Phase I Clinical Trials Program
Brian Highhouse graduated from the University of Delaware in 1989 and began working in the Hematology/Oncology Special Care Unit at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. In 2005, Brian joined the Office of Clinical Research as a Phase I Research Nurse.
Brian says: "I enjoy assisting patients through the research process, and offering access to treatments that may not be available otherwise, in a safe and efficient manner and with the hope of improved outcomes and quality of life."
Sarah C. Huber, RN, BS
Thoracic Oncology Program
Sarah Huber has been a Research Nurse for two years. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and received research training at Washington University in St. Louis, where she coordinated clinical trials in rheumatology, neurology and cardiology.
Sarah says: "As a member of the Thoracic Oncology team, I work to provide individual attention to patients and families enrolled in clinical trials and to ensure that studies are conducted in a safe and effective manner."
Susan Y. Jones, RN, BSN
Phase I Clinical Trials Program
Susan Jones graduated from the University of Virginia School of Nursing in 2002, and joined Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in 2006, where she worked in the Intensive Care Unit before becoming a Research Nurse at Norris Cotton Cancer Center in 2008.
Susan says: "I enjoy the one-on-one interaction with patients who elect to participate in research studies. Patient safety, wellness, and advocacy are my primary goals, and I try to be a resource for the patients in any way I can to achieve these goals."
Linda K. Kirouac, RN
Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Manchester
Linda Kirouac graduated from the University of New Hampshire where she earned her BSN. Linda has worked in clinical oncology nursing for many years and began working at the Norris Cotton Cancer Clinic at Dartmouth Hitchcock-Manchester in 2005. More recently she rejoined the research team as the Research Nurse, a position she held previously at the clinic. In prior work experience, Linda was the administrator for the IRB at Parkland Medical Center.
Linda says: "Cancer research is a fascinating arena and it is a great opportunity to provide another level of care for our patients. It is because of dedicated research that we can offer much more to cancer patients in terms of care and treatment options."
Ellen S. Parker, RN, OCN
Comprehensive Breast Program
Ellen Parker has worked Upper Valley hospitals for more than 30 years, beginning as a staff nurse at DHMC in 1978. She returned to DHMC as a Research Nurse in 2008. Ellen received her nursing degree from Excelsior College in Albany, NY, and is presently working on a Master of Science in Nursing with a minor in Informatics.
Ellen says: "My interest in research nursing stems from the friendships we develop, the teams we work in, and the hope we offer. Along with physicians, we coordinate our patients' care in compliance with protocol requirements, always maintaining the patient's needs as our top priority. Our job as nurses is to cushion the sorrow and celebrate the joy, every day."
Sandra Steel, RN, BSN
Neuro-Oncology Program
Sandra Steel holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia. Through her career, she has worked in hospitals, public health, school nursing, and home health care. Sandra joined Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in 1985 and worked in inpatient Hematology/Oncology and in the outreach oncology clinic at Alice Peck Day Hospital before becoming a Research Nurse in 2008.
Sandra says: "The strength of those who face a serious illness is enormous. I am awed by the strength I have seen throughout the 30 years of my nursing career. I am proud to be a member of the research team at Norris Cotton Cancer Center, where the treatments generated from ongoing work in science are included in the choices for patients who are facing cancer."
Other Research Nurses On the Team
- Susan Hewes, RN — Radiation Oncology
- Anthony Minichiello, RN — Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic Cancer Program, Hematology Oncology, and Prostate/Genitourinary Programs
- Kimberly Sleeper, RN — Pediatric Cancer Program
