Julie Principe, RN, MS

Julie Abilheira, RN, MS

Vice President, Lifespan Cancer Institute

Julie Abilheira, RN, MS is vice president of the Lifespan Cancer Institute (LCI). Abilheira has been with Lifespan for more than 20 years, having joined the nursing staff at The Miriam Hospital in 2000. At The Miriam Hospital, she opened the 3 North surgical/orthopedic unit in the Baxt Building in 2007 and then moved into ambulatory services, where she managed the HIV, TB, Men’s Health and Suite C programs. She was promoted to be nurse manager of inpatient psychiatry at Rhode Island Hospital in 2014. 

In 2016, Abilheira was recruited to LCI to oversee the Rhode Island Hospital Cancer Center, which included the clinics and infusion centers at Rhode Island Hospital and in East Greenwich, RI. Her duties were expanded to include oversight of radiation therapy at Rhode Island Hospital and its expansion to East Greenwich. She also oversaw all the planning for the opening of the new Lifespan cancer center in Lincoln, RI. Prior to her appointment as vice president, Abilheira also served on the Rhode Island Hospital Labor Committee and as a member of the Lifespan Anti-Racism and Health Equity Collaborative.

On the national level, Abilheira is active with many organizations, including serving as president of the Society of Radiation Oncology and as a member of the Vizient Cancer Center Network and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Abilheira earned her BSN from the University of Rhode Island and her MS in Healthcare Administration from Salve Regina University.