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Starting Feb. 29, masking is optional but encouraged in UPMC medical facilities and most patient care settings.

Meet the Wellness and Integrative Oncology Team

Our team is committed and passionate about wellness and community.

Lanie Francis, MD

Lanie Francis

Founder and Program Director
Dr. Lanie Francis is a medical oncologist and hematologist practicing at the flagship of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, PA. She sees patients with a broad array of tumors including, but not limited to, breast, colon, and prostate cancer as well as hematologic issues including leukemia, lymphoma, blood clots, and anemia. She is founder and director of The Wellness and Integrative Oncology Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Under her leadership, this innovative cancer medicine subspecialty has developed into a core element of patient centered and value-based care at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. In addition, Dr. Francis serves as Associate Medical Director, Medical Oncology, UPMC International, advising on medical oncology in a variety of international venues and contexts including Italy and Ireland and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Research Instructor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Francis received her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine from the George Washington University and her fellowship in Hematology/Oncology from UPMC. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, Dr. Elie Francis and their three boys, Oliver, Julian, and Alexander.

Cindy Schermann

Administrative Coordinator
Cindy serves as the concierge for the Wellness Suite and Studios, assists in administrative and operational functions, and schedules all appointments for medical oncology and integrative oncology. At the front lines of all things in the Wellness Suite and Studios, Cindy greets and guides our patients on their cancer journey.

Kayla Miller, MSN, CRNP

Kayla Miller

Nurse Practitioner
Kayla is a Nurse Practitioner who cares for patients within medical and integrative oncology. She is a graduate of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at Duquesne University and the Integrative Oncology Scholars Program at the University of Michigan. She has been an oncology nurse for her entire career and is passionate about offering her patients holistic care to improve quality of life. She also oversees the Nurse Ambassador Program to improve access to integrative care throughout the network.

Danielle Petrina, MEd

Danielle Petrina

Project Manager
Danielle oversees all operational functions for the program including education, program, events, the consult service, and the Wellness Suite. Her background in operations and higher education has prepared her to be the “general” of our team, always leading with a strong voice and big smile.



Angela Zaccagnini, MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Angela has been a registered dietitian since 2014. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She most recently became a Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO). Angela provides lifestyle nutrition therapy to patients undergoing active treatment for cancer and cancer survivors. She is an advocate for improving quality of life and managing symptoms through diet and lifestyle changes.

Meet Our In-Suite Providers

All of our experts are fully licensed, credentialed, and vetted by UPMC's rigorous standards. The following providers perform integrative services to our patients in the Wellness Suite:

WIOP Karen

Karen Donoughe
Acupuncturist

WIOP Sadie

Sadie Grossman
Mindfulness, Movement,
and Meditation Provider

Rebecca Brown
Exercise Therapy Provider