Meet Our Staff

The diverse and multi-lingual staff at MD Anderson’s International Center is proud to work with international patients and families seeking cancer treatment. With many years of combined experience, we are knowledgeable about the hospital’s services, processes and staff. You may be many miles from home, but we are here to personally welcome you and make your stay as comfortable as possible. Meet our caring team and see why we’re dedicated to providing exceptional customer service.

• Management
• International Patient Assistants
• See assistants listed by country
• Financial Staff
• Administrative Staff
• International Cancer Assessment Center

Management

Daniel E. Epner, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Associate Professor, Department of General Oncology
Medical Director, International Center

Dr. Epner is an Associate Professor in the Department of General Oncology whose primary clinical focus is the International Cancer Assessment Center. Dr. Epner completed his undergraduate degree at Stanford University, medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, molecular genetics research fellowship at UCLA Medical Center, and medical oncology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Oncology Center. He was on the faculty at Baylor College of Medicine for several years and served as principal investigator of a federally funded basic research lab. He subsequently served as section chief of the Hematology Oncology section at the Houston VA Medical Center and led their cancer program. Dr. Epner joined the faculty at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2008. Dr. Epner's primary academic focus is patient-physician communication and humanistic aspects of medical care.

“I am interested in developing research, educational, and quality improvement programs that focus on cultural competence in the clinic, aligning oncology care with patients' goals, and teaching oncology providers to communicate more effectively with their patients in a ‘patient centered’ manner.”

Barbara Bowman, R.N., J.D.
Vice President, Patient Services

As Associate Vice President for Patient Services, Barbara leads MD Anderson’s Customer Service initiatives, and oversees and coordinates the strategic and budget planning activities of the International Center, Language Assistance, Patient Advocacy, and Guest Relations, Patient Affairs and the Welcome Center. Prior to joining MD Anderson in 1999 as Director of Patient Advocacy, Barbara had a career in nursing and practiced law.

“I am privileged to work with many caring individuals that have devoted their careers to assisting patients and families during their cancer journey. Together, we will make cancer history.”

Martha Coleman, M.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
Nurse Manager, International Center

Martha began her oncology nursing career with MD Anderson in 1992 and has worked in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, as well as in various centers and capacities since her start. She earned her certification in oncology nursing (OCN) in 2002 and joined the International Center in 2005 as the Supervisor, Patient Access. In her current role as Nurse Manager, Martha combines clinical knowledge with a passion for helping our international patients as she manages the International Center and International Cancer Assessment Center. E-mail Martha: mccolema@mdanderson.org

“Working in the International Center has provided me the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. It is a privilege to welcome our international patients, families and friends and assist them during their stay.” 

Jeanette G. Lloyd, M.S.H.A., M.B.A., C.H.F.P
Program Manager, Patient Services

Jeanette was born in Houston, Texas but spent much of her childhood living in the United Arab Emirates and traveling to more than 35 countries. Jeanette speaks Spanish and has family from Nicaragua and Guatemala. Jeanette has a Bachelor degree in Marketing and earned her Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Health Administration. She joined MD Anderson in 2007 as a Hospital Administrative Fellow and is now Program Manager of Patient Services, working on a variety of marketing, operational and financial projects with the International Center and the institution. E-mail Jeanette: jmglenn@mdanderson.org

“My role is to bring people together from across MD Anderson to find ways to continually improve international patients’ experiences here. I am fortunate to be able to combine my passions of international cultures and business with health care administration to assist international families in their own personal fights against cancer.”

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International Patient Assistants

Jackie Azzi
International Patient Assistant

Jackie was born and raised in Lebanon and moved to Houston in 1999. She has a Bachelor degree in Social Work and is fluent in Arabic, French and English. Jackie's education and previous professional experience are well suited to assisting our international patients and their family members. E-mail Jackie: jbazzi@mdanderson.org.

"Being part of the International Center team gives me the chance to provide support and help for patients coming from all over the world. It is very rewarding to see a smile of comfort on our patients’ faces and know that we are providing care and hope. "

Cynthia Gonzalez
International Patient Assistant

Cynthia was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Both of her parents were born in Mexico City and immigrated to the United States in 1970. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Cynthia joined the International Center at MD Anderson in 2002. She looks forward to providing services to people who come to our institution for treatment, and her focus is to assist patients in making cancer history. E-mail Cynthia: cgonzalez@mdanderson.org. 

"I understand how difficult it is to seek medical care away from home. As an International Patient Assistant, I enjoy assisting our patients before they arrive, throughout their stay and after they return home."

Judith Ibarra
Senior International Patient Assistant

Judith was born in Mexico City and is fluent in both English and Spanish. She first joined MD Anderson as a Patient Access Specialist in the Gastrointestinal Business Center where she assisted domestic and international patients. She later joined the International Center in 2005 and brings with her the knowledge and caring nature which are essential in assisting our patients. E-mail Judith: jbibarra@mdanderson.org. 

"My hope is that everything we do makes an immense difference in the lives of our patients and their families."

Alejandra Palomino
International Patient Assistant

Alejandra Palomino, also known as Hanna, was born in Mexico City and moved to Houston in 1973. Hanna speaks both English and Spanish and has been working in the medical field for 14 years. Hanna joined MD Anderson in 1999 and became a part of the International Center in 2006. E-mail Hanna: apalomin@mdanderson.org. 

"I've accomplished many things in my life, but my most rewarding accomplishment is helping patients and their families and friends."

Stephanie A. Puente
Senior International Patient Assistant

Stephanie is a fourth-generation Mexican American from the Houston-Galveston area, who speaks English and Spanish. Prior to joining the International Center in late 2004, she worked as a Health Information Specialist for the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at MD Anderson. The insight and knowledge gained at her previous position has helped her understand her patients better. E-mail Stephanie: sapuente@mdanderson.org. 

"Caring, discovery and integrity definitely play a vital role in meeting my patient’s needs and in interacting with my fellow coworkers. It is a privilege to be part of the International Center team."

Dalida Saliby
International Patient Assistant

Dalida was born and raised in Lebanon and moved to Houston in 2001. She has a Master degree in Social Work and is fluent in Arabic, French and English. Her education and previous professional experience made her a perfect fit for the International Center. E-mail Dalida: desaliby@mdanderson.org. 

"Being an International Patient Representative provides me the opportunity to meet people from different countries and cultures. It is an enormous pleasure to offer support and assist patients throughout the treatment process."

Eliane Sayeghe
Senior International Patient Assistant

Eliane is a native of Lebanon and has been employed in the medical field for many years. She is fluent in Arabic, English and also speaks some French. Eliane joined MD Anderson as a patient care coordinator in the Urology Clinic before joining the international team and has worked in MD Anderson for 12 years. E-mail Eliane: esayeghe@mdanderson.org. 

"I am privileged to be part of the International Center. One of my goals is to be able to make patients feel at home away from home. Nothing is better than seeing a smile on a patient's face."

Nuran Timocin
International Patient Assistant
Senior Medical Interpreter/Translator

Nuran was born and raised in İzmir, Türkiye and moved to Houston, Texas in 1980. Nuran holds a D.M.D degree from Ege University and her learned languages are French, German and English. She joined MD Anderson in 1991 as Medical Interpreter/Translator and assumed the responsibilities of International Patient Assistant for Turkish patients this November. Email Nuran: ntimocin@mdanderson.org.

“I consider it a privilege to be able to assist patients during a very trying period in their lives.”

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Financial Staff

Joann M. Reyes
Patient Business Services Specialist

Joann was born in Corpus Christi, Texas but was raised in Houston. She speaks fluent English and Spanish and has more than 15 years of experience in the medical field. Joann joined MD Anderson in 1999. Prior to becoming a part of the International Center, she worked in the Genitourinary and Melanoma Center handling new patient referrals.

"I want to ensure that all international patients get the assistance they need with understanding their bills and resolving their issues in a timely manner."

Susan Tabbaa
International Patient Account Specialist

Susan Tabbaa is a native of Syria and is fluent in Arabic and English. She is a Certified Medical Manager who worked in healthcare for 25 years prior to joining MD Anderson in 2010. Susan’s role is to coordinate and support the embassies and consulates through the billing and payment process.

"It is a privilege to serve our international patients and their families alongside my colleagues in the International Center.”

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Administrative Staff

Barbara Riddle
Senior Administrative Assistant

Barbara is originally from Buffalo, New York but now considers herself a Texan. Prior to joining the International Center, she worked in several other departments in the institution that gave her knowledge to prepare for her present position in the International Center. She has worked at MD Anderson for 14 years.

“It is a pleasure to work in the International Center and assist patients from all over the world. Cancer is a scary disease and if I make something a little easier for them, all the better.”

San Juanita Vazquez
Senior Secretary

Juanita was born in Laredo, Texas and speaks fluent English and Spanish. She has 15 years of customer service experience and joined MD Anderson in 2005. Prior to becoming a part of the International Center, she worked in the Welcome Center handling all calls that came into the institution.

“To be able to help and assist my coworkers and patients has been very gratifying. My efforts do help and make a difference when it comes to customer service. It is important for me to know that at the end of the day we were able to help someone with his or her concerns.”

Jennifer Franco
Receptionist

Jennifer was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Both of her parents were born in El Salvador and migrated to the Unites States in 1978. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is the youngest of two older siblings. Jennifer is currently attending school, with dreams of staying within the medical field.

"I want to help patients as much as I can and make them feel welcomed to MD Anderson.”

Hend El Gawly
Receptionist

Hend El Gawly was born in Egypt and attended a French private school from kindergarten until high school. She graduated from the University of Cairo with a Bachelor degree in Economics and Political Science. She speaks three languages fluently: Arabic, French and English. Hend has been with MD Anderson for many years and is the receptionist for the International Center office in the Mays Building.

“I am glad and blessed to work with the diverse team in the International Center. It is amazing to help international patients and go the extra mile to offer them support. I am the first window they open when they try to call MD Anderson’s International Center and I try to make them feel secure in our hospital because we are #1 in the whole world in Making Cancer History.”

Marivic So
Patient Services Coordinator

Marivic was born in the Philippines and moved to Texas as a teenager. She is half Chinese and half Filipino and is fluent in Tagalog and some Mandarin. Marivic worked at MD Anderson’s Children Cancer Hospital for 7 years before joining the International Center in 2011.

“I understand how frustrating it can be to come to a different country and not speak the language. I've experienced this during my traveling, that's why I feel at home at the International Center. I understand our patients’ feelings and needs and can relate to their situation. Having this experience and my background in patient care I feel confident to be able to help and assist them more with their needs.”

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International Cancer Assessment Center

Janie Wilde, R.N.
Clinical Nurse, Outpatient

Janie has many years of nursing experience through her work in medical and surgical intensive care and the emergency room in Oklahoma, Texas, Minnesota and North Carolina. Janie began her oncology career in 1998 working at MD Anderson as a clinic nurse in Symptom Control and Palliative Care and then as a research nurse in Radiation Oncology and Symptom Management. She later joined the International Cancer Assessment Center as its full-time nurse in 2008.

“I understand how difficult it can be to travel a long distance for cancer care. Making the patient feel welcomed and cared for is the best part of my job.”

Rina Avila
Patient Access Specialist

Rina was born in Honduras and moved to Houston in 1983. She has 10 years of experience in the medical field and is fluent in English and Spanish. Rina joined MD Anderson in 2004 in the Thoracic Center as a Patient Service Coordinator and two years later moved to the department of Patient Business Services. In 2007, she joined the International Cancer Assessment Center as a Patient Access Specialist.

“I am so very happy to be part of the International team and to be able to help our international patients in any way.”

Celia Garcia
Patient Access Specialist

Celia was born in Mexico but has been in Texas since she was three years old. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has worked in the medical field for more than 12 years. Celia joined MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2003 as a Patient Access Specialist in the Sarcoma Center. She now works in the International Cancer Assessment Center and has been there since 2006.

“I feel privileged and honored to be part of the International Cancer Assessment Center. It is my goal to make sure I follow MD Anderson’s core values of caring, integrity and discovery at all times and with all my patients.”

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