Our Advanced Practice Providers

With more than 20 years of Oncology Experience, Ms. Casella-Rymer is a board certified nurse practitioner that is currently involved in the evaluation, management and treatment of patients with both hematologic and solid tumor malignancies at the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute. She obtained her MSN from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.

In 2011 Ms. Casella- Rymer graduated from the City of Hope Cancer Genetics Intensivist Program City of Hope, California. She currently sees patient regarding the screening and testing of Hereditary Cancers Syndromes. Ms. Casella-Rymer has lectured on all aspects of identification, management and treatment of hematologic and solid tumor malignancies to patient and professional audiences.

She has served on the Board of Directors for the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, and is a past president of both the Broward Oncology Nursing Society and Palm Beach Area Oncology Nursing Society.

Christina is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner. Born and raised near Philadelphia, she lived in Pennsylvania until relocating to Virginia for college. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from James Madison University in 2007 and a Master of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University in 2011. Christina has worked in Hematology/Oncology throughout her career and has truly gained a passion for these patients. She relocated from the Washington, DC area to join the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute team in 2016. She and her husband have two children, a daughter, and a son. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, or cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Valerie Fiordilino-Maslow is a nationally certified Physician Assistant with a passion for the hematology/oncology field. She received double bachelor’s degrees, an MBA and a Master’s of Medical Science in Physician Assistant studies from Nova Southeastern University. Valerie is well known and respected in the community as an advocate for numerous charitable organizations, in particular, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Valerie’s passion for oncology stems from her father’s four year battle with Leukemia. Since then, Valerie has dedicated her time and life to cancer research, with a concentration in hematologic malignancies. She has worked in the fields of Dermatology and Family Medicine, and has been under the direction and clinical expertise of South Florida’s finest physicians during her studies.

Valerie is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Association of Physician Assistants, and the Society for Physician Assistants in Pediatrics, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Kid Sanctuary Campus Charities. Valerie has also received university recognition for medical research in stem cell and monoclonal antibody therapy and national accolades for her philanthropic work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Emily Mattingly earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida and became a Registered Nurse in 2009.

After graduating from UF she returned home to Martin County, where she was born and raised, and began working on the oncology-medical floor at Jupiter Medical Center. In 2010, Emily returned to the University of Florida to become a Nurse Practitioner, while continuing to work at JMC.

She graduated from UF with her Master of Science in Nursing and became a board certified Adult Nurse Practitioner in 2013. Emily is also an Oncology Certified Nurse and is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society. Emily enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two Morkie- Poos, Meika and Puppy.

Katherine Sigismondi is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She has 13 years of nursing experience as a registered nurse and received her Masters in the Science of Nursing in 2018 from Florida Atlantic University. She began her journey as an Oncology Nurse Practitioner shortly after graduation in Broward County. She later re-located to the Palm Beach are in 2020 and joined the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute team. She enjoys traveling, wake boarding and going to the beach with her two pups Chica and Reef.

Darcy is a board certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She graduated with her MSN in 1996 from the University of Connecticut where she lived with her husband and three children. She began her career as a RN in 1979 after graduating from a hospital based RN program in Boston and went on to obtain a BSN in 1987. During this time she has worked in Pediatric Intensive care, Emergency Medicine and for the last 10 years, Oncology, which has become her passion. She most recently helped to develop and manage an Urgent Care Clinic associated with Yale New Haven Hospital designed to care for sick oncology patients.

Most recently she has relocated to Florida and joined the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute team. During her time off she enjoys traveling to see her now grown children and grandkids, gardening, teaching yoga and barre and cooking.

Andrew graduated from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019 with a Master of Medical Science. He completed his undergraduate and RN training at Auburn University. Andrew has experience in multiple facets of medicine including Acute critical care, Trauma, Post anesthesia recovery, and Cardiovascular Intensive care. He is currently stationed at Jupiter Medical Center to assist in coordinating timely and appropriate care for our patients.

Andrew is an avid fisherman and stalks the depths every chance he gets. Growing up in northeast Alabama leaves a plethora of information to learn about saltwater fishing. When not out on the water you can find him training for his first marathon, a post pandemic lofty goal.

Anna is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner who recently graduated with her MSN from University of Texas Medical Branch. Her experience as an oncology nurse included working at both MD Anderson Cancer Center and Mt. Sinai Dubin Cancer Center in NYC. Her passion for oncology and hematological disorders was heightened during her experience working at large academic institutions and providing exceptional care to her patients. Anna is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.

Prior to working in oncology and beginning her graduate studies in nursing, Anna completed her MPH at the University of Tel Aviv in Israel. Upon completion, she began working as the RN at the U.S. Embassy Medical Unit in Tel Aviv, Israel. During her time there, she served as the primary RN for all US government diplomatic personnel and their families, US military personnel, and congressional delegations stationed overseas. She worked during various high threat situations and worked closely with local hospitals and government health officials to ensure all personnel receive excellent care.

She recently relocated to South Florida with her family and is very excited to begin her career as an APRN in hematology/oncology at the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute!

Anna Krzeczowska is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. She was born and raised in Poland; however, she completed all her undergraduate and graduate education in the United States. She first graduated with the highest honors from the University of West Florida with a degree in Pre-Professional Biology. During that time, she worked as a nursing assistant and discovered her passion for nursing. Subsequently, she enrolled in the accelerated nursing program at the University of South Alabama (USA). She graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2016. Immediately after graduation, she began her career as an oncology nurse. She also passed her oncology certification shortly thereafter. Anna was voted Oncology Nurse of the Year 2020, and she is also a Daisy Award Honoree. In 2020 she completed her Master of Science in Nursing with a subspecialty in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care. She is currently continuing her education by pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of South Alabama.

In her spare time, she is preparing for the Advanced Oncology Nurse Practitioner Certification examination.

Anna places high value on patient education and a patient-centered, multidisciplinary team-based approach to individualized oncology care. She is especially interested in the evolution of precision medicine in the treatment of malignant hematologic disorders.

Brigett Brandjes is a certified physician assistant with Tampa General Hospital. Her clinical expertise focuses on cellular therapies, blood and marrow transplantation, and associated toxicities. Prior to joining Tampa General, she practiced for seven years in the Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Immunotherapy Department at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. She also serves as an internal medicine preceptor for physician assistant students as well as on the board for FLASCO. Brigett received her Master of Medical Science from Nova Southeastern University and her bachelor’s degree in biology from Florida Gulf Coast University where she graduated top of her class.

Brigett has been involved in numerous research protocols with goals of advancing the standard of care for cancer patients and she’s credited with several presentations and publications in areas of her expertise. Brigett earned certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). She has memberships with the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Medical Reserve Corps.

For her nearly 20-year career as an APRN, Ofelia Rose has held a passion for oncology, specifically within solid tumors.

Rosie was an academic scholarship recipient for both undergrad and graduate school, graduating sum cum laude from the University of Miami with her BSN degree in 1999. She was soon inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society, Coral Gables chapter. She began working as an oncology nurse at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center and obtained her OCN certification. Shortly thereafter, she moved forward in pursuit of higher education, graduating with honors from Florida International University in 2002 with her MSN, APRN degree. At the time, she electively became ANCC Board Certified.

While continuing to work as an oncology nurse practitioner, Rosie served on the ASCO, Florida chapter (FLASCO) as a planning committee member as well as speaker throughout the state of Florida. She has also worked as an APRN Research Practitioner, treating and enrolling patients on oncology clinical trials.

In the last 10 years, Rosie has regularly volunteered her time and expertise on medical missions through the University of Miami where she cares for and treats the underserved in Latin America, with her last mission being that of the Haiti Earthquake.

When not caring for patients, she spends her time with her beloved family and friends and enjoys traveling. Being a native Floridian, she loves to spend time outdoors and on the water.

Erin Bialousz is a NCCPA board-certified Physician Assistant. She graduated summa cum laude at Florida State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology. She then attended the University of South Florida and graduated in May 2022 with her Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies. She always had a strong passion for oncology which heightened during her experience working in pediatric hematology/oncology during physician assistant school.

Erin is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, and Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology. She most recently relocated from Tampa to the Palm Beach area. Erin enjoys spending time at the gym, with family, friends and her mini goldendoodle, Theo. Erin is very excited to be a part of the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute.

Alice is a Board-Certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner who recently graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Florida. She completed her undergraduate and nursing training at Millikin University in 2013 in Illinois and finished her Master of Science in Nursing at the University of South Florida in 2020. Alice is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She was a charge nurse of an Oncology Thoracic Surgery/Tele unit prior to joining Cancer Center of South Florida. Her patient’s resilience and courage inspired her passion for oncology and hematology. She was born and raised in China and moved to the United States in her 20s. She and her family recently relocated to the West Palm Beach area. When she is not working, she spends time with her two fluffy bears (aka dogs) named Friday and Sunny. She also enjoys traveling and loves to try all kinds of food from different cultures.

Samantha is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who received her Master’s in Science of Nursing from University of Tampa in May of 2022. She joins Cancer Center of South Florida with over 12 years of nursing experience as a registered nurse with Tampa General Hospital. She is excited to grow as an APRN with the Neuro Oncology team within the TGH Cancer Institute.

In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family by going to the beach, traveling, and creating new memories.

Madeleine obtained her BSN from Advent Health University and graduated from the University of South Florida in 2015 as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Madeleine has experience working as a hospitalist managing complex and comorbid disease conditions in Central Florida. She has been a preceptor for USF nurse practitioner students, and later held a position as adjunct faculty. In 2017, Madeleine moved to Tampa and worked for an observation unit and emergency department. Her experience as a registered nurse included cardiac intensive care and neurovascular stepdown unit.

On her time off, she enjoys reading a good book, exercising, and caring for her family. The best thing about moving to Tampa is being close to the best beaches on the gulf coast.

Michelle Mintz, APRN is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner. Michelle has over 25 years’ experience in Oncology and Hematology, including Phase 1 research and Malignant Hematology, and became an Oncology certified nurse in 2003. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Rochester in 2003 and her Master of Science in nursing in 2005. She moved to the Tampa Bay area in 2005 and joined Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute in 2022. Her practice focuses on outpatient Solid Malignancy. Her passion is providing patient centered care, focusing on quality of life in this very special patient population. She is excited to be a part of our growing TGH Cancer Institute.

In her spare time, she enjoys paddle boarding, biking, and outdoor activities.

Pselane Coney is a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse who has provided exceptional care to Tampa Bay area patients for more than two decades. She returns to Tampa General Hospital, where she previously served as a registered nurse for nearly a decade and received TGH’s Nurse of the Year award twice for her world-class contributions in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (2009) and 9A, Neurosciences (2004).

Pselane began her career as a registered nurse in 2002 and has worked in several clinical areas. Prior to her current role, she worked as an APRN and APP supervisor for about 10 years in Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy, where she was a four-time APP of the Year award nominee.

In addition to training students, fellows, and new team members throughout her career, Pselane provides instruction as an adjunct faculty member with the University of South Florida, where she received her Master of Science in Nursing, with a concentration in acute care. Pselane also received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from USF as a scholarship student.

Jessica is a NCCPA board certified physician assistant who received her bachelor’s degree in Human Biology at University of Kansas then graduated with her Masters in physician assistant studies with Pi Alpha Honors at University of South Florida. Her primary interests throughout school were neurology and oncology so she was excited to be able to pursue both of her passions. She has been practicing both in neuro-oncology and neurosurgery since graduation. She is trained in use of tumor treating fields and is an active member of Society of Neuro Oncology, Florida Academy of Physician Assistants, as well as American Society of Clinical Oncology. She plans to precept aspiring PAs in the future.

Shahzaade Robinson, APRN-BC is a board certified nurse practitioner who received her undergraduate degree at the University of Florida and graduate training at Nova Southeastern University, summa cum laude. Shahzaade has prior clinical experience in emergency medicine, medical/surgical, and medical/oncology/pediatrics.

Shahzaade is a member of Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. She enjoys spending time with her family including her Malti-poo Cashmere, exploring new places, cooking, trying different cuisines, and playing her guitar.

Shahzaade is passionate about hematology/oncology and is grateful to be a member of the TGH Cancer Institute.