Meet Our Team
Sharon Bigelow
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Sharon comes to our navigation team with 40 years of experience with Baylor Medical Center, Duke University and the N.C. Cancer Hospital in medical oncology and stem cell transplant. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Mount St. Mary’s College, a Master of Science degree in nursing from Texas Woman’s University and a Nurse Practitioner degree from Duke University with advanced certifications.
Sharon previously founded the NavigateCancer Foundation, which was the first national, independent model of nurse navigation dedicated to decreasing barriers and empowering cancer patients. Sharon now serves as a Nurse Navigator on the team and expresses that her greatest passion is to work to ensure that every patient and family member that is burdened by cancer will have the care that they need to get their best outcome and overcome this disease.
Elizabeth “Libby” Hart
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Libby comes to our navigation team with 23 years of experience at UNC Hospice. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing at UNC Greensboro and is certified in hospice and palliative nursing. Libby joined our team in 2019 with a passion for patient-centered care, specifically ensuring that both the patient and caregiver needs are being met and that they feel supported throughout their treatment. Libby is also in charge of our Oncology Volunteer Navigator program and works diligently to find, train and support these talented students and devoted community members.
Outside of work, Libby enjoys spending quality time with her children and grandchildren, cooking, hiking and traveling.
Danielle Rogers
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Danielle joins our team with more than 7 years of inpatient and ambulatory oncology experience. She is a graduate of Campbell University with a bachelor's degree in Biology. After graduation she decided to pursue a career in nursing and obtained her BSN from the University of Rochester.
Danielle has always had a strong affinity for helping those with cancer and providing support to patients and families during turbulent times. She spends her time outside of work with her adventurous little boy and her dog Milo. She is also a huge sports fan, specifically Carolina basketball, soccer and rugby. She hopes to share her passion to drive patient- and family-centered oncology care to North Carolinians.
Kayla Justham
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Kayla joins our team from UNC Health’s Surgical Oncology and Head and Neck Unit where she spent nearly 7 years working with oncology patients pre- and postoperatively. She also spent 2 years on a Medical Oncology unit in New Bern, where she focused on treatment plans, acute needs and end of life care.
Kayla is a graduate of NC State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication. After 3 years of teaching English, Kayla decided to pursue a career in nursing, graduating from Craven Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing and then Chamberlain University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Kayla enjoys spending her free time with her family, staying active, and relaxing at the beach.
Kelly Kivette
Oncology Patient Navigator
Kelly comes to our program with more than 20 years of oncology experience at UNC Health. She previously worked as the Recreational Therapist for the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, as well as the Inpatient Oncology Unit and learned an immense amount about navigating a cancer diagnosis during this time.
Kelly is a graduate of East Carolina University and is a native of North Carolina. Outside of work, she enjoys being involved in her community, spending time with family and friends, following college football, and trying to keep up with her husband and two sons. She is excited about the opportunity to continue serving our patients and making a difference in their treatment journey.
Robin Rivera
Oncology Patient Navigator
Robin comes to our program from Charlotte, North Carolina. Robin is a graduate of Fisk University and, after college, had a 10-year stint in communications where she served as a broadcaster and reporter for both Savannah and Charlotte TV markets.
Robin is a book lover and enjoys collecting autobiographies. As an active member of The Links, Incorporated, an international nonprofit service organization composed of women of African descent, Robin volunteers year-round. Robin is passionate about her job as an OPN because she understands how cancer affects families as she, herself, was affected when both her mother and mother-in-law fought cancer.
Gioconda “Yoko” Siegfried
Oncology Patient Navigator
Yoko comes to us from UNC Health Johnson, where she served as a bilingual eligibility specialist, helping English and Spanish-speaking patients navigate Medicaid and disability benefits. Yoko has represented her patients in all levels of appeals until cases were approved.
Today, Yoko brings the same passion to her position as an Oncology Patient Navigator. She educates and communicates with her patients, reassuring them that they are not alone in this process.
Yoko holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Marketing. She comes from Ecuador and loves serving as an interpreter for the Latino community.
Outside of work, Yoko spends quality time with her son and family. She is an animal lover and likes to dance.
Carnisha Brice
Oncology Patient Navigator
Carnisha began her journey of advocating for cancer patients in 2010, when she began a career at Transitions LifeCare, a hospice home. There, she was instrumental in operations. She was most proud of the work she did in community engagement and education.
Then Carnisha moved on to work at UNC Rex Cancer Center, supporting patients and families as they entered onsite care. Her role was to ensure a seamless visit with the patient’s oncology team.
Both roles sparked a passion for navigating and supporting patients and families throughout their cancer treatment journeys. She is excited to continue her career at UNC Health as an Oncology Patient Navigator.
When she’s not at work, Carnisha enjoys spending time with her family, connecting with her community and traveling the world.
Julie Smith
Oncology Patient Navigator
Julie Smith joined our team after taking a break from the workforce to raise her family. She graduated from East Carolina University with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies and a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. After graduation, Julie helped patients navigate new diagnoses and disabilities as a recreational therapist in the Rehabilitation Unit at UNC Hospitals.
Julie’s children have gotten older and she is eager to resume her passion for caring for others and to apply her unique skill set to help patients navigate their cancer diagnosis. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, actively participating in the compassion team at her church and many of her other hobbies.
