class notes
A STAR for cancer rehab
D
iane Stokes, M.B.A. ’96, co-founder of Oncology Rehab Partners, was named to Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center’s “The One Hundred,” an award given to the top 100 people in the U.S. who are mak-
ing a difference in cancer care. Oncology Rehab Partners’ STAR Program® Certification, a cancer rehabilitation training and certification program for clinicians and healthcare facilities, has been the catalyst for the implementation of hundreds of cancer rehab programs across the nation, enabling thousands of survivors to recover from debilitating treatments. “Cancer rehab has been a missing part of the survivorship puzzle,” Stokes says. “The opportunity to be involved in work that makes it possible for cancer survivors to heal fully after treatments is thrilling for me.” “The One Hundred” gala was hosted by actor Matt Damon on June 6. The mission of Oncology Rehab Partners, based in Northboro, Mass., is to make cancer rehabilitation the standard of care in hospitals, cancer centers, and rehab practices so survivors can recover from the side effects and after-effects of cancer treatments. The STAR Program Certification, a unique model of evidence-based cancer rehabilitation, has been adopted by healthcare facilities in more than 30 states and is anticipated to reach more than 100 sites throughout the U.S. by the end of 2012. “Healthcare providers are responding to the call for improved cancer care. They’re committed to providing state-of-the-art rehab services so patients can recover and get back to their lives, and it’s great to be able to help them do it,” Stokes says. In addition to her role as social entrepreneur, Stokes is a certified personal trainer and triathlon coach and develops fitness programs for breast cancer survivors.
stage with Michelle Bachelet, the director
’08. Prior to the wedding, Laurill Spinazola
always felt as though my voice mattered. Now
of UN Woman and past president of Chile,
’08 and Miranda McSweeney joined the bride
I’ve been given the opportunity to help empower
which is where Ksenia worked after graduating
and Brandy for a celebratory girls’ weekend in
residents and am confident and excited about
from Clark. “Health is a human right,” Ksenia
Charleston, S.C.
the new possibility.”
negotiable.” Ksenia’s connection to Clark dates
MIRANDA LYNN SIMON received her doctor
2010
back to 1990 when she arrived with her parents,
of medicine degree from the Medical College
VERONICA NAVARRO ’10, M.A.T. ’11, is currently
includung geography graduate student mom, and
of Wisconsin in Milwaukee at its 99th annual
living and working in Washington, D.C.
current IDCE faculty member, Yelena Ogneva-
commencement exercises on May 18. Following
Himmelberger, Ph.D. ’98, and began climbing the
graduation, Dr. Simon began a pediatrics
2011
campus trees.
residency in the Harriet Lane Pediatric Residency
ALLISON SCHENKLER ’11, M.A.T ’12, a resident
Program at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
of Port Washington, N.Y., has begun selling her
at Johns Hopkins University.
Coptic stitch handmade journals at the indepen-
told the audience, “and human rights are not
2008 Upon graduation from Clark, SAMANTHA MEYER
dent Dolphin Bookshop, which has been serving
joined Teach for America and taught for three
2009
years at a public high school in the Bronx, N.Y. In
KARLEEN PORCENA, who works for Action for
than 65 years. Allison began making journals in
the fall of 2011, she started a Ph.D. program in
Boston Community Development, was appointed
Jen Hilton’s artist books class in the Visual and
industrial engineering and management sciences
as lead organizer for the Mattapan Family Service
Performing Arts Department, and upon gradua-
at Northwestern University. She aims to pioneer
Center. Karleen writes: “I’m able to work with
tion she found the free time to start this small
the use of engineering tools to help public school
the residents and stakeholders to really make an
business. In the fall, Allison will begin teaching at
districts be more efficient and more strategic.
impact in the neighborhood. Clark has given me
an elementary school in New York City, though
the foundation to do this community organizing
she hopes to continue bookbinding on the side.
SERENA RHEW was married to Jerome Epstein,
work. I learned to look at myself as a part of a
Visit dolphinbookshop.com or contact Allison at
a lighting technician and sculptor, on Dec. 20,
community and was taught the strength of work-
booksbyallison@gmail.com to order the journals.
2011, in Nashville, Tenn. The private ceremony
ing collectively toward change. Even in my early
was witnessed by fellow Clarkie Brandy Oliver
years I was given leadership opportunities and
Port Washington’s waterfront community for more