Our multi-disciplinary team works closely with patients, providing the resources and close cooperation of many specialists with deep expertise in diagnosing and treating breast cancer.
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Ann Partridge, MD, MPH
Founder and Director Dr. Partridge is Vice Chair of Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she also serves as Director of the Adult Survivorship Program and leads the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer. As a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, practicing medical oncologist and clinical researcher, she has sought to improve the care and outcomes of patients with cancer by conducting research, and by developing innovative clinical programming. Dr. Partridge serves in leadership roles nationally and internationally including as co-chair of the Breast Committee of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology and co-chair of the biennial ESMO-ESO sponsored Breast Cancer in Young Women Conference. In December 2022, she was appointed as the newest Chief Scientific Advisor for Susan G. Komen. After graduating from Georgetown University, Dr. Partridge received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College, pursued an internal medicine residency at the Hospital for the University of Pennsylvania, and completed Medical Oncology and Hematology fellowship at Dana-Farber/Partners CancerCare. She earned a Master of Public Health degree at the Harvard School of Public Health. |
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Phil Poorvu, MD
Associate Director Dr. Poorvu is a medical oncologist in the Breast Oncology Center at Dana-Farber and focuses on the care of young adults with breast cancer and breast cancer survivorship. He received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and fellowship in Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber. His research seeks to better tailor treatments for young patients using gene expression assays and to understand the impact of cancer treatments on fertility and a number of other survivorship issues. He has worked with the Program for Young Adults with Breast Cancer since 2016 to build programming that enhances patient care and meets the many important needs of young patients. |
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Sara Giordano, MD
Satellite Director Dr. Giordano is a breast medical oncologist and clinical investigator in the Breast Oncology Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center. She serves as the Director for the Hematology and Oncology Fellowship program at Dana-Farber at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center and as Satellite Director for the Young and Strong Program. She received her medical degree from Loyola University in Chicago and then went on to complete her Internal Medicine residency and Hematology and Oncology fellowship at Northwestern University in Chicago. Dr. Giordano has a specific interest in the care of young adults with breast cancer and breast cancer survivorship. Her research focuses on novel therapies in the treatment of breast cancer. |
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Leticia Varella, MD
Dr. Varella is a medical oncologist in the Breast Oncology Center at Dana-Farber and has a special clinical and research focus on improving outcomes in young patients with breast cancer. At Dana-Farber, her recent research innovations include investigating the factors associated with improving outcomes and quality-of-life in young patients with metastatic breast cancer from the Young Women’s Breast Cancer study (YWS). She also supervises and teaches Internal Medicine residents and Medical Oncology fellows. Dr. Varella was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil where she completed her medical training. After moving to the United States, she continued her training in Internal Medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and in Medical Oncology at the Cleveland Clinic. Prior to joining the Dana-Farber team, Dr. Varella was a member of the breast cancer group at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York as an Assistant Professor of Medicine. |
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Megan Tesch, MD
Dr. Tesch is a medical oncologist in the Breast Oncology Center at Dana-Farber and specializes in the care of young adults with breast cancer. She received her medical degree in Canada from Memorial University of Newfoundland and completed her medical oncology residency training at BC Cancer in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she served as Chief Resident in her final year. Dr. Tesch initially joined the Dana-Farber team as an Advanced Breast Cancer fellow and has since become a physician on the Young and Strong Program Team. Additionally, Dr. Tesch has joined the Harvard Medical School faculty as an Instructor in Medicine. Her research focuses on investigating unique clinical and biological aspects that contribute to differences in outcomes for young adults with breast cancer. |
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Kathryn Rigby, MSEd, MSW
Manager of Breast Oncology Clinical Programs Kathryn Rigby originally joined the Young and Strong team in May 2018. She has a Master of Science in both Education and Social Work and has extensive experience in her prior work teaching life skills to neurodiverse young adults. When earning her MSW, Kathryn’s studies centered on social innovation and change leadership with a focus on program management. Her first role at Dana-Farber was within the Community Benefits Office as an external affairs intern. In this work, Kathryn provided strategic and tactical planning as well as operations management for community health initiatives. Kathryn is passionate about meeting the unique needs of young adults with breast cancer and committed to continue to expand the reach and impact of the program. Originally from Long Island, NY (and still a hardcore Giants fan), Kathryn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking local trails, and exploring various National Parks throughout the U.S. |
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Sarah Desmarais, MPH
Program Manager Sarah Desmarais joined the Young and Strong team in August 2019 and is passionate about serving the young breast cancer population. Sarah earned a master's degree in public health from Northeastern University, with a concentration in urban health. Additionally, she became a certified health education specialist through the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing and is certified in public health from the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Previously, Sarah worked as a clinical research coordinator in the Early Drug Development Center (now named the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation) at Dana-Farber where she assisted with phase I solid tumor clinical trials. She is passionate about health education, promotion, and advocacy -- and strives to bring such opportunities to the Young and Strong community. In her spare time, Sarah loves to read mystery novels, binge Netflix crime documentaries, and explore Boston restaurants. |
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Laura Young
Program Administrator Laura Young joined the Young and Strong team as a program coordinator in March 2023. In addition to her role supporting young adults with breast cancer, Laura also works with EMBRACE (Ending Metastatic Breast Cancer for Everyone), another patient program within Dana-Farber’s Breast Oncology Center. Laura received her bachelor’s degree in event management from Lynn University and became a certified health coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Previously, Laura worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for three years in Plastic Surgery and Surgery Education. In her spare time, Laura loves to spend time with friends and family, paint, and enjoy the ever-changing seasonal activities of New England. |
The Young and Strong Team
Research Team
