Meet Our Team
Sharon Bigelow
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Sharon comes to our navigation team with 40 years of experience with Baylor Medical Center, Duke University and the N.C. Cancer Hospital in medical oncology and stem cell transplant. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Mount St. Mary’s College, a Master of Science degree in nursing from Texas Woman’s University and a Nurse Practitioner degree from Duke University with advanced certifications.
Sharon previously founded the Navigate Cancer Foundation, which was the first national, independent model of nurse navigation dedicated to decreasing barriers and empowering cancer patients. Sharon now serves as a Nurse Navigator on the team and expresses that her greatest passion is to work to ensure that every patient and family member that is burdened by cancer will have the care that they need to get their best outcome and overcome this disease.
Danielle Rogers
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Danielle joins our team with more than 7 years of inpatient and ambulatory oncology experience. She is a graduate of Campbell University with a bachelor's degree in Biology. After graduation she decided to pursue a career in nursing and obtained her BSN from the University of Rochester.
Danielle has always had a strong affinity for helping those with cancer and providing support to patients and families during turbulent times. She spends her time outside of work with her adventurous little boy and her dog Milo. She is also a huge sports fan, specifically Carolina basketball, soccer and rugby. She hopes to share her passion to drive patient- and family-centered oncology care to North Carolinians.
Kayla Justham
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Kayla joins our team from UNC Health’s Surgical Oncology and Head and Neck Unit where she spent nearly 7 years working with oncology patients pre- and postoperatively. She also spent 2 years on a Medical Oncology unit in New Bern, where she focused on treatment plans, acute needs and end of life care.
Kayla is a graduate of NC State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication. After 3 years of teaching English, Kayla decided to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Craven Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing and then Chamberlain University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Kayla enjoys spending her free time with her family, staying active, and relaxing at the beach.
Kelly Kivette
Oncology Patient Navigator
Kelly comes to our program with more than 20 years of oncology experience at UNC Health. She previously worked as the Recreational Therapist for the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, as well as the Inpatient Oncology Unit and learned an immense amount about navigating a cancer diagnosis during this time.
Kelly is a graduate of East Carolina University and is a native of North Carolina. Outside of work, she enjoys being involved in her community, spending time with family and friends, following college football, and trying to keep up with her husband and two sons. She is excited about the opportunity to continue serving our patients and making a difference in their treatment journey.
Robin Rivera
Oncology Patient Navigator
Robin comes to our program from Charlotte, North Carolina. Robin is a graduate of Fisk University and, after college, had a 10-year stint in communications where she served as a broadcaster and reporter for both Savannah and Charlotte TV markets.
Robin is a book lover and enjoys collecting autobiographies. As an active member of The Links, Incorporated, an international nonprofit service organization composed of women of African descent, Robin volunteers year-round. Robin is passionate about her job as an OPN because she understands how cancer affects families as she, herself, was affected when both her mother and mother-in-law fought cancer.
Gioconda “Yoko” Siegfried
Oncology Patient Navigator
Yoko comes to us from UNC Health Johnson, where she served as a bilingual eligibility specialist, helping English and Spanish-speaking patients navigate Medicaid and disability benefits. Yoko has represented her patients in all levels of appeals until cases were approved.
Today, Yoko brings the same passion to her position as an Oncology Patient Navigator. She educates and communicates with her patients, reassuring them that they are not alone in this process.
Yoko holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing. She comes from Ecuador and loves serving as an interpreter for the Latino community.
Outside of work, Yoko spends quality time with her son and family. She is an animal lover and likes to dance.
Carnisha Brice
Oncology Patient Navigator
Carnisha began her journey of advocating for cancer patients in 2010, when she began a career at Transitions LifeCare, a hospice home. There, she was instrumental in operations. She was most proud of the work she did in community engagement and education.
Then Carnisha moved on to work at UNC Health Cancer Care Center, supporting patients and families as they entered onsite care. Her role was to ensure a seamless visit with the patient’s oncology team.
Both roles sparked a passion for navigating and supporting patients and families throughout their cancer treatment journeys. She is excited to continue her career at UNC Health as an Oncology Patient Navigator.
When she’s not at work, Carnisha enjoys spending time with her family, connecting with her community and traveling the world.
Julie Smith
Oncology Patient Navigator
Julie Smith joined our team after taking a break from the workforce to raise her family. She graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. After graduation, Julie helped patients navigate new diagnoses and disabilities as a recreational therapist in the Rehabilitation Unit at UNC Hospitals.
Julie’s children have gotten older and she is eager to resume her passion for caring for others and to apply her unique skill set to help patients navigate their cancer diagnosis. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, actively participating in the compassion team at her church and many of her other hobbies.
Annabella Cole
Oncology Patient Navigator
Annabella joins our navigation team with over 20 years of healthcare experience, 18 years at UNC medical Center. She has worked as a Child Life Specialist within the UNC NC Children's Hospital for the majority of her career, which included working with the patients on inpatient oncology units & outpatient clinics.
Annabella is a graduate of East Carolina University and a native of the mountains in North Carolina. She is enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading & travelling anywhere but, mostly to warm tropical locations such as Guatemala to visit her mother and extended family.
Annabella is excited to provide assistance to those in treatment and continue her passion helping patients with guidance, support, bilingual speaking to Spanish Speaking primary patients & assisting with overcoming barriers with resources as a Certified Oncology Patient Navigator.
Latoya Hilliard
Oncology Patient Navigator
Latoya comes to us from the UNC Kidney Specialty & Transplant Clinic where she served as a member of the Care Access team. Having enjoyably served as the first point of contact for patients, staff, and providers, her approach to patient care is driven by service, compassion, and empathy. As our new patient navigator, she's eager to apply these values to help guide our patients through their oncology journey. A native of North Carolina, Latoya has been in the Research Triangle area since 2007. Outside of work, Latoya is a wife and mother to two amazing boys. She enjoys cheering on her kids at basketball games, taking walks on local trails, playing softball, going to the beach, and planning events for all types of celebrations.
Lindsay Saintsing
Oncology Patient Navigator
Lindsay Saintsing began her journey in patient care in 2010 after earning an associate degree in medical assisting from GTCC. With a professional background encompassing orthopedics, occupational health, and chronic care management, Lindsay brings a wealth of experience to her role.
As a North Carolina native, Lindsay, enjoys outdoor activities such as working on her land, riding UTVs, and exploring the state's diverse landscapes. She also loves traveling with her husband, Daniel, and their two dogs, immersing herself in new cultures and experiences, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Lindsay is deeply motivated in her role as an OPN due to the impact cancer has had on her family. Lindsay is passionate about making a positive impact on patients throughout their treatment journeys.
Pamela Antonetti
Oncology Patient Navigator
Pamela joins our team coming from UNC hospice as the Administrative Coordinator and played a key role in managing the day-to-day operations of the billing department. She helped Hospice patients, and their families navigate the Medicare system and understand the benefits they were entitled to.
Pamela has a deep connection with Veterans as she has a son currently active duty. She served on the We Honor Veterans Program Committee for 7 years during her time with UNC Hospice to give the Veterans the recognition they deserved.
She is a North Carolina native, enjoys the outdoors, time with family, and her Australian Shepard Luna.
In her spare time, she works with Veterans in her community advocating for them. She is excited that she can bring that passion to her role as an oncology patient navigator for all our patients.
Rocky Boze
Oncology Patient Navigator
Rocky comes to our navigation team with over 18 years of advocacy experience in assisting low-income individuals with applying for Social Security and Medicaid benefits at the Department of Social Services as well as in the hospital setting at UNC Hospital and Duke University Hospital. Rocky has an innate passion for helping people in need and she brings that passion to her job as an OPN.
Rocky has a Bachelor’s Degree from Bloomfield College, a Master’s Degree from Walden University and a graduate certificate in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. She is also a certified paralegal.
Rocky works part-time some weekends at a women’s shelter, and on her off weekends, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and face timing with her grandchildren, who currently live in Japan.
Julie Gill
Oncology Patient Navigator
Julie has over twenty years of operational management and patient advocacy experience in the healthcare sector across various clinics in North Carolina. In 2023, she joined UNC Hospital focusing on outpatient services at the Basnight Cancer Hospital. Her decision to engage more closely with the oncology patient community reflects her passion and professional commitment as an Oncology Patient Navigator.
Throughout early marriage, Julie and her husband relocated frequently due to his Navy career. Their most notable deployment was in Iceland, where they welcomed their fifth child. Now, with four wonderful grandchildren, they have chosen to live closer to Chapel Hill.
Family time reigns as her top priority and favorite pastime. She also loves discovering vintage treasures both locally and while traveling. Julie is dedicated to enhancing the lives of patients and genuinely making a positive impact every day.
Sophia Wiley
Nurse Navigator
Sophia has over 10 years of healthcare experience in various settings. She started her nursing career at INOVA Hospital system in Northern Virginia. Following her years in the hospital, she took on a role working in research. After relocating to NC she went on to get licensed as a medical massage therapist. In addition, the past three years, she has been serving as a volunteer with the central navigation team at UNC.
She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Kinesiology degree, and got her BSN at Marymount University.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys traveling and exploring new places, different foods and cultures. As a sports fan, she is always excited to go to sporting events around the triangle.
Sophia is motivated by the impact cancer has had on her own family and a desire to have a positive impact on patients and their families.
