Our Team

Dr. Griggs received her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and her MD from the Jacobs School of Medicine, University of Buffalo. She completed her Residency and Chief Residency in Internal Medicine and Fellowships in Hematology and Oncology and Health Services Research at the University of Rochester after which she joined faculty, serving as the Director of the Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program at the University of Rochester in the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center in Rochester, New York. In September 2006, she joined the faculty at Michigan Medicine where she is now a Professor in the Department of Hematology/Oncology and in the Department of Health Management and Policy.

Dr. Griggs’ federally funded research program has investigated non-clinical factors associated with the quality of cancer care and has closed gaps in the quality received by people regardless of who they are and where they are treated. She has served as the Chair of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), was a member of the ASCO Health Disparities Committee, and has been the Chair or Co-Chair of several clinical practice guidelines. She has over 200 publications and for five years served as one of the Associate Editors for the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Griggs has been the Program Director for the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium since 2016.

Dr. Acosta-Torres received her medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She graduated from her residency program at University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas, Texas and went on to complete her fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. She joined the faculty of the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in 2024. Dr. Acosta’s areas of expertise include chemotherapy management, clinical trials, and fertility-preserving management strategies for gynecologic cancer.

Dr. Lydia Benitez is a board-certified Hematology/Oncology PharmD & Clinical Associate Professor at University of Michigan College of Pharmacy. She received her PharmD from University of Michigan, and she completed her Residency in Pharmacy Practice and Oncology at Michigan Medicine. She previously served as the leukemia clinical pharmacist specialist at Michigan medicine (2018-2025) focusing on increasing and optimizing outpatient delivery of leukemia and malignant hematology therapies and practicing stewardship. Her scholar interests include the appropriate use of therapeutics in oncology and malignant hematology, building a framework for oncology stewardship, and the management of leukemia in adolescent young adults.

Dr. Uppal received his medical degree from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, India. He graduated from his residency program at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and went on to complete his fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. He joined the faculty of the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in 2014. Dr. Uppal’s areas of expertise include minimally invasive surgeries with a focus on sentinel lymph node dissection, robotic surgery as well as single-port laparoscopic surgery to improve surgical outcomes.

Dr. Uppal’s research program focuses on patient-centered, evidence-based care. In particular, he has published numerous high-quality publications on quality of care in gynecologic cancers. Most recently, his research has focused on reducing surgical site infections and readmissions after complex oncologic procedures for women with ovarian cancer.

Keli (pronouns: she/her) started her career as a social worker in the Emergency Department. She became a social work supervisor and interim manager before transitioning to become a call center manager, and now the Program Manager of Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC), a statewide collaborative for improving oncology care for patients and caregivers. She continues to maintain her social work license and uses that background in everything she does.

Keli found MOQC through shared core values. Her personal and career goals align with MOQC’s work of quality improvement in the care of people with cancer and their caregivers. She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in as many lives as possible, and about making sure that no one receives worse care because of circumstances they can’t control.

Her favorite part of her work is connecting with people, whether it’s mentoring the coordinating center team, meeting with patient/caregiver advisors, or interdisciplinary teams at oncology practices. She loves hearing about what MOQC is doing that benefits people, and about what can still be done to improve.

In her spare time, Keli loves being outside, spending time with family, and eating delicious food.

Vanessa (pronouns: she/her) holds a film degree from the University of Michigan and spent over six years working in gynecologic oncology at Michigan Medicine before joining MOQC. Her background in gynecologic oncology and project management, developed through her work in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, continue to shape her efforts to improve cancer care across Michigan.

At MOQC, Vanessa facilitates efforts to strengthen patient and caregiver engagement through her role with MOQC’s Patient and Caregiver Council (POQC). She finds meaning in creating space for diverse perspectives and personal stories to guide improvement. Vanessa also supports MOQC’s communications and educational outreach through creative media work.

Heather (pronouns: she/her) has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Madonna University and a Post Bachelor Certificate in Cancer Information Management from Ferris State University. The majority of her clinical experience was in the operating room, in various roles, including Nurse Educator. She was also involved in quality improvement as a Clinical Data Abstractor for the Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative (MARCQI) and the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (MSQC).

Heather joined MOQC to continue her work with quality initiatives to improve outcomes in patient care. She has been an intrinsic part of the team focused around the creation of MOQC’s new database, MOQCLink. Her favorite part of working with the MOQC team is the shared goal of improving the quality of cancer care in Michigan, with patients and their families as the primary main focus. Improving patient care has always been very important to Heather.

In her spare time, Heather enjoys the company of family and friends, as well as running marathons and half marathons. She loves nature and the outdoors so she often goes hiking. In the winter months, she cross country skis and snowshoes.

Jenn has been a registered nurse for 25 years, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University. Her early clinical focus was in emergency medicine and cardiology. She found a passion for oncology working as an outpatient infusion nurse since 2017, and she earned her OCN in 2020. Jenn continues to work in outpatient infusion and recently started classes to earn her CTR.

Jenn is excited to be part of MOQC because she believes in our mission. She feels that MOQC provides a unique opportunity to identify areas for change and improvement, giving providers the ability to incorporate these findings into day-to-day practice to enhance the experience and outcome for patients. As an infusion nurse, Jenn feels very strongly about improving patient care and experience throughout the cancer journey and is excited to continue to work towards that goal with MOQC.

In her off time, Jenn enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, playing disc golf, gardening, and raising monarch butterflies in the summer.

Dave (pronouns: he/his) graduated from California State Polytechnic University with a degree in Business Administration. After a successful twenty-year career in the publishing industry as a National Accounts Manager and Director of Sales, he decided to take his career in a new direction and joined the University of Michigan. Prior to becoming MOQC’s Administrative Specialist, he was the Administrative Assistant Senior to the Medical Director and Clinical Team at the University’s Health Service.

Dave joined MOQC because it was a great opportunity to take on more responsibilities as an Administrative Specialist and to help the MOQC team continue to make a positive impact in improving patient healthcare. In addition to taking care of the many administration responsibilities at MOQC, Dave is also a member of the MOQC Culture Committee. He prides himself on making sure the behind-the-scenes world of quality improvement is taken care of, so that his MOQC peers can focus on what they do best to make MOQC the best that it can be.

In his off-MOQC hours, Dave enjoys watching and playing sports, traveling, spending time with his wife and stepchildren, VW buses, his Jeep, making people smile and laugh, and hanging out at the beach on a warm and sunny day.

Ashley Bowen is a senior project manager with the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium, bringing over 15 years of healthcare experience as a registered dietitian and certified health coach. Ashley’s background includes clinical, research, quality improvement, and administrative roles at Johns Hopkins, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern Medicine, and Michigan Medicine. Since joining MOQC in 2021, she has led key quality initiatives, including a meal delivery program for food-insecure patients, antiemetic efforts, interprofessional development, and the MOQC Excellence in Quality Certification program. Ashley also serves on the MOQC Maximize Value and Culture committees and facilitates the POQC Patient and Caregiver Resources Workgroup. She is passionate about advancing quality, patient-centered cancer care, and values MOQC’s culture of trust, integrity, and collaboration.

During non-MOQC time, Ashley enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and goldendoodle, Jack.

Angie (pronouns: she/her) has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Saginaw Valley State University and became a certified Oncology Data Specialist (ODS-C) in 2012. She has worked in oncology for over 20 years, has experience working in a surgical oncology office, in oncology research, and most recently as a certified tumor registrar with Michigan Medicine.

Angie joined MOQC because she shares the same passion as other MOQC members for making a positive impact in oncology care. She strongly believes in MOQC’s core values, the collaborative efforts being done to enhance patient care, and the quality improvement initiatives that will benefit oncology patients, caregivers, and healthcare teams in their journeys with cancer.

Angie's favorite part of MOQC is being part of a dedicated team that has a passion for improving the quality and outcomes of oncology care. She also enjoys spending quality time with family, attending sporting events, the outdoors, boating, traveling, baking, and knitting. She is a member of the Maximize Value Committee.

Deana has been a registered nurse for over 30 years with a Bachelor in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix. Most of her clinical experience has been related to oncology care, including bedside care, case management, bone marrow program manager, and research nurse. She has also been involved in projects to improve care in electronic medical record implementation and primary care redesign.

In her spare time, Deana enjoys being outdoors with her husband Brian and their Golden Retriever Jax, doing all kinds of activities including camping and hiking. Her favorite activity is snowmobiling. She also enjoys reading and cooking/baking.

Karen has a BBA in Human Resources from Eastern Michigan University. She has worked in an administrative capacity for the University of Michigan for the last nine years.

Karen is excited to be part of the MOQC Team. The department’s reputation for fostering collaboration to improve patient care aligns with her professional goals. Joining MOQC is an opportunity for her to support and work alongside dedicated team members, united in the goal of enhancing health care outcomes. She looks forward to not only facing the challenges of today, but also setting new standards of care for the future.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys spending time with her family and friends and spending time outside.

Jacob Keer received his bachelors degree from UCLA in Anthropology. He went on to be a language acquisition specialist in Barcelona, Spain, while simultaneously completing research in the anthropological field of ethnobotany and paleopathology. This research exemplifies the interdisciplinary use of plant medicine in ancient Pero, and is currently under review for publication. He is persuing his masters in social work with a macro focus in Management and Leadership.

Kleo earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Wayne State University, laying the foundation for a career rooted in research and data-driven healthcare improvement. Early in her career, she served as a research assistant in both the Departments of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pathology, contributing to studies on paternal fetal alcohol syndrome and prostate cancer. In the Pathology Department, she also abstracted biopsy and prostatectomy data, deepening her expertise in clinical documentation and analysis.

She later joined Ascension St. John’s Van Elslander Cancer Center as a Clinical data Analyst, where she specialized in abstracting data for patients diagnosed with lymphoma for both internal clinic databases and national registries, including measures for the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC).

Kleo’s strong background in abstraction led her to MOQC, where she now supports multiple practices across Michigan. The opportunity to work within a collaborative statewide initiative was both new and energizing. She quickly became an integral part of the team, serving as a member and leader of MOQC’s Culture Committee for four years. Over the last 2 years, she has contributed to the Access and Outcomes Advisory Committee, expanding her impact and continuing her professional growth.

Over the past year, Kleo has also participated in the HOPE Cultural Training Series offered by Corewell Health, which emphasizes community engagement and feedback on cancer care priorities for rural Native American and Native Canadian populations. Her dedication stems from a deep belief in the value of her work, knowing that her efforts help practices improve care for patients and families facing cancer.

Kleo thrives on collaboration and communication, whether she’s problem-solving with her MOQC colleagues or connecting with practice administrators, nurses, physicians, and staff.

Beyond her professional life, Kleo is actively involved in local Greek cultural organizations, her church, and philanthropic women’s groups. She enjoys watching sports with her daughter, indulging her passion for good food (and her inner culinary critic), and cherishing quality time with family, whether in Greece or across the United States.

Joey (He/Him) is a Master of Social Work candidate at the University of Michigan, concentrating in Program Evaluation and Applied Research. He holds a BBA from Western Michigan University and a BSW from Eastern Michigan University.

His experience includes recovery support and peer coaching in correctional and community-based treatment settings, and a social work internship with Michigan Medicine’s Guest Assistance Program serving pediatric oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplant patients and families. His professional interests center on research evaluation, evidence-based practice, and advancing patient-centered outcomes in oncology care.

Cindy had 10 years of experience working with oncology in cancer center, pharmacy & specialty pharmacy at Michigan Medicine before joining MOQC full time. She also has 15 years of experience as a lead data abstractor with the MOQC team.

Cindy joined MOQC to use and grow her data analytics & data abstraction knowledge. She wanted to help grow the abstraction team to better serve MOQC practices. She strives to collect, analyze, and demonstrate data that can serve to better the quality of patient care. She serves on MOQC’s Marketing and Website Committee and the Generate Trusted Data Committee. Her favorite part of being a MOQC-ite is working with her co-workers and knowing that the data is ultimately helping provide better cancer care to all patients. Working together with the MOQC team, providers, and practices provides confidence that everyone is doing their part to help the future of cancer care.

During non-MOQC time, Cindy enjoys hiking, running, kayaking, mountain biking, traveling, and playing with her Rhodesian Ridgeback, Tucker.

Dilhara (pronouns: she/her) was a Project Manager at the MSHIELD collaborative quality initiative leading the Community-Clinical Partnerships program. Before that, Dilhara worked at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services where she led the evaluation and strategic planning efforts for the Cancer Prevention and Control Section. She has experience coordinating projects and fostering partnerships across sectors.

Dilhara was drawn to MOQC because of the shared values and commitment to improving care for patients and their families. She worked with MOQC in her previous role and knew she was joining a great team that cared deeply about their work.

Outside of MOQC, Dilhara is a community advocate, tennis coach, and auntie. You will find her trying a new recipe or planning her next travel adventure.

Heather (pronouns: she/her) became a RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) in 2013 and worked in a Medical Records department for 15 years. She became a CTR (Certified Tumor Registrar) in 2019 and worked in a Tumor Registry Department for 5 years before coming to MOQC.

Heather’s family has been affected by cancer, as have most families, and that led her to MOQC. Though she does not have direct contact with patients, behind the scenes she is proud to be measuring and working to improve the quality of care that will affect outcomes for cancer patients across the state. She also chose to join MOQC because she immediately felt at home with all of the MOQC team members. She is a member of MOQC’s Maximize Value Committee, and her favorite part of working for the MOQC team are the team members. From the top to the bottom, everyone is compassionate, caring, and willing to pitch in to help a team member. She loves that MOQC is truly a family!

In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys reading, camping, and traveling.

Natalia (she/her) joined MOQC in 2022 and currently leads several high-impact initiatives aimed at improving care quality across the state of Michigan. Her primary focus is on advancing palliative care and hospice services, as well as strengthening financial navigation for oncology patients – areas that address critical needs during some of the most vulnerable moments in patients’ and caregivers’ lives.

As the regional project manager for the Central Michigan Group (CMG) and Metro East regions, Natalia collaborates closely with clinical teams and stakeholders to drive meaningful improvements in care delivery. She leads MOQC’s Palliative Care and End-of-Life Task Force, oversees the Oncology Stewardship program, and supports statewide financial navigation efforts through partnership with POQC. In addition, she serves as Chair of the MOQC Culture Committee, fostering an inclusive, collaborative, and core values-driven team environment.

Prior to MOQC, Natalia served as Program Manager for Partners for Children at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, where she led a home-based pediatric palliative care program and launched the Little Victors League initiative for medically complex newborns in the NICU. Her broader career spans program leadership in healthcare research, international development, higher education, and social enterprise.

Natalia brings a deeply patient-centered approach, a commitment to equity, and a collaborative spirit to all her work. Outside of MOQC, she enjoys traveling with her family, hiking, cooking, and exploring new cultures and experiences.

Deborah (pronouns: she/her) worked as a Data Abstractor for Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative (MBSC) for over 15 years. She also worked in volunteer management at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), United Way of Southeastern Michigan and Boy Scouts of America.

She joined MOQC because she wanted to continue to do her part to improve patient outcomes and quality of care. Her career goals have always centered around working to improve the lives of others. One take away from her years at the Boy Scouts of America was to leave a place better than she found it, and it is her hope that her contributions at MOQC will make oncology care better for all. Deborah is a member of MOQC’s Access & Outcomes Advisory Committee. The support she has received from all of her team members has been amazing and her favorite part of working for MOQC!

During non-MOQC time, Deborah enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling, gardening, and fishing.

Eric started his career as an IT Auditor, working with companies in different industries to create secure and reliable information. After 3 years in that field, he returned to school at Michigan State University to pursue a master’s degree in Data Science and Analytics. Since completing that degree, he has been working as a Data Engineer with a focus on enabling access to and understanding of data.

Through his family’s experiences with cancer, Eric has seen how difficult the treatment process can be for patients and families. He is excited to contribute to improving the quality of care and the experience for those being affected by cancer. Additionally, he’s excited to work with a team of compassionate people to learn as much as he can.

Eric loves hiking, camping, or spending time outside however he can. He is a fan of trying and failing to learn musical instruments and also enjoys reading while his cat, Frankie, bites his book.

Shayna (pronouns: she/her) joined MOQC in 2019. Prior to coming to MOQC, she was a research coordinator in infectious diseases where she studied drug-resistant organisms and C. diff. She has always had an interest in healthcare, which led her to get a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology.

She is excited to be part of MOQC because it is a team that works to make a positive difference in the lives of patients and providers. Cancer has touched nearly everyone in some way, and she loves being able to help make a difference. Shayna leads the MOQC Excellence in Quality Certification initiative as well as the patient-reported outcomes Initiative. Her favorite part of working for MOQC is collaborating with the team and feeling like they’re working toward positive change.

In off-MOQC hours, Shayna loves spending time with her family, baking, traveling, reading, and trying new restaurants.

Shawn (pronouns: she/her) worked in breast imaging for over 16 years in Toledo, OH. During that time, she performed breast imaging procedures such as mammography, breast ultrasound, and various types of breast biopsies. She also has a background in computed tomography (CT).

With her background in breast imaging and helping in the diagnosing of breast cancer, joining MOQC allowed her to continue to pursue her passion of improving care and treatment outcomes for cancer patients. Shawn is a member of MOQC’s Marketing and Website Committee where she is able to collaborate creatively to enhance the digital presence of MOQC. She looks forward to driving growth and building connections within the MOQC community. When it comes to what she loves most about MOQC, it’s hard for her to choose! Overall though, she loves the collaboration with other team members and practices as they work toward a common goal of improving healthcare related outcomes for patients and caregivers.

In her off-MOQC hours, Shawn loves reading, going for walks, exploring northern Michigan, and spending time with family at our lake cottage.