Nancy M. Paris
Nancy Paris is the President and CEO of the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education. Ms. Paris has significant experience creating, directing and raising funds to support health programs for the medically underserved.

Previously, she has served as the Vice-President of the Georgia Cancer Coalition. Ms. Paris has also served as President of Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services and as Vice President of Georgia Baptist Health Care System. Under her direction both Saint Joseph’s Mercy Care Services and Georgia Baptist Health Care System received numerous foundation and government grants as well as national awards for excellence and innovation. She also served as Director of Hospice Atlanta, Vice President of the Visiting Nurse Foundation, President of AID Atlanta and President of the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta.

Ms. Paris has a Master’s Degree in Health Policy and Administration from Mercer University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Georgia, and a certificate in Gerontology from Georgia State University. She is a Diplomat in the American College of Healthcare Executives, a Certified Fund Raising Executive and a Fellow of the Health Forum. She is a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club, the Dean’s Council of the Rollins School of Public Health, on the Boards of Directors of the Georgia Health Foundation and MedShare International. She is also the founding Chair of the International AIDS Trust.

In 2002 Ms. Paris was named Woman of the Year in Healthcare by Women Healthcare Executives in Atlanta. An alumna of Leadership Atlanta and an honoree of Outstanding Atlanta, Ms. Paris has published numerous articles on community-based health care services and is the author of “Cancer in Georgia” published in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Diane Hicklin, MPA
Diane Hicklin is the Research Director for the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE). Ms. Hicklin is a highly-skilled administrative and financial manager of multidisciplinary research programs.

Prior to joining the Georgia CORE, Ms. Hicklin served as the Administrative Director of the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Emory University School of Medicine, and its satellite location at Grady Memorial Hospital. Prior to joining Emory, she was the Business Manager of the Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She is the immediate past-President, and prior Treasurer, of the Association of Administrative Research Directors, GCRC, NCRR, NIH; a member of the National Council of University Research Administrators; a Dekalb County Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children; and the Pastor of the Smith Memorial AME Zion Church. Ms. Hicklin holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Georgia State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Antioch University, and is pursuing advanced ministerial studies at Luther Rice Theological Seminary.

Shaunta S. Parker, MPH
Shaunta Parker is the Communications and Education Manager at the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education. Ms. Parker joined the organization in April 2006 as a practicum student.

Ms. Parker completed her Master of Public Health degree and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgia State University in August 2007. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a concentration in Pre-medicine from Georgia State University in December 2003. Ms. Parker is a member of the American Public Health Association and Georgia Public Health Association. In 2005, Shaunta was recognized for her achievements as a public health student with the “Student Spotlight” from the Institute of Public Health at Georgia State University. Ms. Parker has ten years experience in the allied health field. Ms. Parker is actively involved as a youth mentor.

Jane Clark, PhD, RN, AOCN, APRN-BC
Dr. Clark serves as a consultant to Georgia CORE. She brings over three decades of experience in oncology research, clinical practice, and education to the Georgia CORE efforts. Dr. Clark was instrumental in development of the initial business plan for Georgia CORE. Currently, her primary responsibilities are in Georgia CORE project development, implementation, and evaluation.

Dr. Clark received a BSN and a MN degree in Adult Health Oncology Nursing from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing and a PhD in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Clark has worked in a variety of positions within academic, public health, and community organizations and academic and community oncology clinical practice settings.

Dr. Clark is a founding member of the national Oncology Nursing Society and is active in both the local Metro Atlanta Chapter and the national organization. She currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Oncology Nursing Forum and as a reviewer for printed educational materials offered by the organization. Dr. Clark serves as faculty for a 2-day Oncology Nursing Certification Review Course that is offered throughout the United States. In addition, Dr. Clark is a volunteer for the year-around programs offered by Camp Sunshine, an organization dedicated to children through young adults with cancer and their families.

Dr. Clark has been recognized for her contributions in the community through the Distinguished Alumna Award from Oxford College of Emory University and the Award of Honor from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Dr. Clark has published numerous articles on oncology nursing and was the co-editor and author for the 2nd Edition of the Core Curriculum for Oncology Nursing. In 2005, Dr. Clark served as the primary author for the manuscript entitled “Sleep Disturbances in People with Cancer“ which received the Oncology Nursing Society Quality of Life Award in support of nursing excellence in quality of life issues for patients and families.