Head and Neck Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic
Lifespan Cancer Institute

Head and Neck Cancer Specialist Team

Our expert staff coordinates treatment, as well as all necessary follow-up and rehabilitation, using a team approach. Individually tailored treatment plans increase survival rates and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Why is multidisciplinary care important for head and neck cancer treatment?

Lifespan’s multidisciplinary approach allows patients to receive elite care from experts on all head and neck cancers who can work together seamlessly to provide comprehensive care. Patients have access to groundbreaking new immunotherapies and other new and emerging cancer treatments at various stages of diagnosis and across many cancer types.

What is a head and neck cancer specialist and what do they do?

Head and neck oncologists diagnose and treat patients with benign and malignant tumors of the oral cavity, parathyroid gland, salivary glands, larynx, pharynx, and thyroid. As part of their medical residencies and continued professional education, Lifespan’s specialists take advanced training in microvascular surgery and head and neck oncology. Our expert staff coordinates treatment, as well as all necessary follow-up and rehabilitation, using a team approach. Individually tailored treatment plans increase survival rates and improve a patient’s quality of life.

Head and Neck Cancer Specialists

Medical Oncology

Ariel E. Birnbaum, MD Headshot

Ariel E. Birnbaum, MD

Medical Oncologist

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Iole Ribizzi-Akhtar, MD Headshot

Iole Ribizzi-Akhtar, MD

Oncologist

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Palliative Care

Dana L. Guyer, MD Headshot

Dana L. Guyer, MD

Director of Supportive Care

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Radiation Oncology

Thomas A. DiPetrillo, MD Headshot

Thomas A. DiPetrillo, MD

Clinical Director, Radiation Oncology

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Kara Lynne Leonard, MD Headshot

Kara Lynne Leonard, MD

Radiation Oncologist

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M. Yakub Puthawala, MD Headshot

M. Yakub Puthawala, MD

Chief of Brachytherapy Services

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Esther Yu, MD Headshot

Esther Yu, MD

Radiation Oncologist

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Surgical Oncology

Travis M. Cotton, MD Headshot

Travis M. Cotton, MD

Surgeon

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Basit Jawad, MD Headshot

Basit Jawad, MD

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Peter Mazzaglia, MD Headshot

Peter Mazzaglia, MD

Surgeon

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Richard Wein, MD Headshot

Richard Wein, MD

Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeon

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Advanced Practice Providers

Daniela Carrasco, DNP Headshot

Daniela Carrasco, DNP

Nurse Practitioner

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Laura Denoncour, NP

Nurse Practitioner

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Katelyn Pires, PA

Nurse Practitioner

Patient Navigators

Jennifer Asencio Headshot

Jennifer Asencio

Patient Navigator

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Kathryn Cardarelli, RN

Patient Navigator

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Nancy Follett, RN

Patient Navigators

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Stacey Lawrence

Patient Navigator

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Xochitl Minakin

Patient Navigator

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Rachael Studley, RN

Patient Navigator