Newburyport – North of Boston Cancer Resource (NBCR) announced that Sandra Levin, vice president and chief quality officer at Anna Jaques Hospital and Colleen Yavarow, DO Medical Oncologist/Hematologist at Anna Jaques Hospital Cancer Center joined its Board of Directors, following the recent appointment of other Board members Colleen Lawton and Nancy Jones.
“I am passionate about integrative medicine,” said Levin. “By combining the highest quality, safe conventional medical treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies we can truly serve the patient’s needs in all aspects. Joining the NBCR Board is a wonderful opportunity which enables me to support access to whole-person quality cancer care both inside and outside our hospital doors.”
Since February 2018, NBCR has been providing cancer support resources for communities North of Boston. The comprehensive online guide provides easy access to resources such as support groups, cancer-specific programs and services as well as support organizations and a multitude of practitioners of complementary therapies that can help people living with cancer survive and thrive through diagnosis, treatment and beyond.
More recently to address the added pressures of the pandemic on people affected by cancer, NBCR has offered an online monthly Speaker Series focused on managing stress and enhancing well-being. Some of the topics that have been presented are meditation, yoga, nutrition, and acupressure.
“NBCR’s vision is perfectly aligned with our passion to enhance the quality of life for our patients and families by providing access to optimal supportive care and symptom management,” said Dr. Yavarow. “I’m honored to serve on the board of an organization that provides such vital support to our communities.”
NBCR also offers gift certificates to people with a cancer diagnosis that can be used for supportive services such as acupuncture, oncology massage, reiki, guided imagery, or even health coaching. These are known to be effective in managing the physical and emotional toll of cancer and the side effects of cancer treatment.
“Anna Jaques Hospital has been one of our strongest supporters as a generous donor since inception,” said Carol Gamble, NBCR Treasurer. “It is a natural extension of our ongoing collaboration to invite Dr. Yavarow and Sandra Levin, two exceptional leaders with a breadth of unique experience and a passion for our mission, to join our board. We are beyond grateful to all our new board members for offering their time, energy and expertise to serve as we strive to help our neighbors in the communities north of Boston at times when care and support are needed the most.”
The NBCR Board of Directors also includes President Dina Crawford, who, along with Gamble and three other dedicated community volunteers, initiated the NBCR vision more than five years ago. Practitioners and programs interested in being included in the guide are encouraged to contact Dina Crawford at dina@nbcancerresouce.org to begin the application process.
Major contributors include Anna Jaques Hospital, Sophia Gordon Cancer Center at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Montbleau Architectural Woodwork, Boston North Cancer Association, Institution for Savings, Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation, Saul and Marion Kleinkramer Foundation, Swasey Foundation, and Align Credit Union.
New Board of Trustees Members:
Sandra Levin has over 35 years’ experience in the healthcare field, primarily as a registered nurse and administrator, working for non-profit hospitals around the country. She is a graduate of Seton Hall University New Jersey with an undergraduate degree in Nursing, and from Regis University Denver holds an undergraduate degree in Healthcare Administration and a master’s degree in Business Administration. Additionally, Sandra is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), yoga teacher (500-RYT), and holistic health coach and mindfulness meditation teacher. Through her own business, Changing Tides Yoga and Wellness, she meets her clients where they are and walks with them on their journey to being their healthiest self by using yoga therapy tools and techniques, and mindfulness meditation.
Dr. Colleen Yavarow completed her medical school at University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, internship and residency at Lahey Clinic Medical Center, and fellowship at Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Yavarow practiced in greater Boston for several years and then relocated to the North Shore.
Colleen Lawton, a Board-Certified Nutrition & Wellness Consultant and founder of Pure Potential Nutrition. She is a certified Wahls Protocol® Health Professional and graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She is a member of the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy, certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), and is currently enrolled in the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. Colleen’s passion is helping men and women transform their lives by creating health through the power of whole foods nutrition.
Nancy Jones, Vice President, Human Resources, Salem Co-operative Bank, Salem, NH. Nancy is a Massachusetts native who grew up in Methuen, a graduate of University of Massachusetts Lowell with an undergraduate degree in Clinical Psychology and a minor in Women’s Studies and holds an MBA with a specialization in Human Resources Management from Rivier College in Nashua, NH. Prior to joining Salem Co-operative Bank, she held the position of Human Resources Director for Newburyport Bank from 2012 to 2021 and Senior Vice President – Human Resources Director for Salem Five Bank in Salem. She currently resides in Salisbury, and has been active in numerous Greater Newburyport activities and events, including volunteer work for the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center and Greater Newburyport Ovarian Cancer Association, and Board memberships for the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Greater Newburyport YWCA.
NBCR is an all-volunteer non-profit 501c3 organization created to enrich the well-being of people living with cancer and their loved ones by enhancing access to resources, education, and services that empower and support the whole person. Medical research has shown that certain healing therapies and supportive programs combined with conventional cancer treatments improve outcomes, quality of life and survivorship for people affected by cancer.
To make a donation and help support NBCR, go to www.nbcancerresource.org or follow, like and share on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NBCancerResource and Instagram @northofboston_cancer_resource.
