The Fort Worth AYA Oncology Coalition 

The FWAYA Board of Directors would like to announce the selection of a new Executive Director, April Mitchell. April brings with her a great deal of non-profit and community experience.

We believe what sets her apart is her unique perspective working as an oncology social worker earlier in her career, giving her a personal insight into AYA’s needs.

April has held executive leadership positions with the Dallas Rape Crisis Center, Mission Granbury, and the Mental Health Association of Tarrant County. April has also worked with the Texas Senate and numerous community associations.

In addition, she is a certified National Nonprofit Leader and holds a Master of Social Work and Community Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. April brings exceptional management and community outreach capabilities to our organization.

With her addition, FWAYA can be even more effective at improving the lives of AYAs in our community. “It is an honor to work with such a wonderful organization seeking to make a difference in the lives of those stricken by such a life-changing disease.

I know together the board and I will enhance the initiatives FWAYA is doing in the community and excitedly move into the next phase for FWAYA.” – April Mitchell, Executive Director

Rachel Manning grew up in Houston and is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. 

Rachel has extensive community and non-profit experience.  She became involved in the Fort Worth community through her volunteer service with The Junior League of Fort Worth, The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, Ladies on the Lamb, and Wings of Hope Equine Therapy.  Rachel has held numerous leadership roles throughout her service experience.  She brings fund development skills, program implementation experience, and a love for event planning to FWAYA.

Rachel is a cancer survivor and is passionate about utilizing the experiences through that journey in her professional and personal life. She is excited to help provide support and services for the AYA community.

Elena has been part of our team since August 2016 and also provides services to AYAs throughout Tarrant and the five surrounding counties.

As a navigator, Elena provides support, resources, and education specific to the patient’s social and medical needs.

This can include addressing AYA issues such as missing work or school, fertility counseling and coordination of fertility preservation, providing support for those with young families, connecting patients to each other, and providing financial aid resources.

Her connection to the patient continues after the end of treatment too, as it is widely accepted that increased adherence to established follow-up guidelines can lead to improved health outcomes.

Elena’s personal experience with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) as a child ignited her passion for working with young adult cancer patients.

“The experience and all those that followed at the hospital, at summer camps, and even at work have made me realize it is my calling and my home to help oncology patients.”

Dr. Hall has been with FWAYA since 2017.

Dr. Hall coordinates psychological services at Moncrief Cancer Institute for AYAs, providing individual and group therapy, and organizing the monthly AYA programs.

Cancer often disrupts an AYA’s progress toward developmentally appropriate tasks such as; establishing autonomy from parents, a personal set of values and identity, strong peer relationships, intimate and sexual relationships, and obtaining adequate preparation to join the workforce.

Dr. Hall works to help the AYA find a sense of normalcy by seeking to minimize the amount of disruption caused by the cancer experience and to maximize their health‐related quality of life.

Karen Albritton, M.D., is internationally recognized as an expert in AYA oncology.

Board-certified in both pediatric and medical oncology, she was educated at Yale University, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, and the University of North Carolina.

Dr. Albritton has published work in national peer-reviewed publications and is currently the medical director of AYA oncology at Cook Children’s Medical Center and Fort Worth AYA Oncology Coalition’s AYA inpatient Unit located at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center – Fort Worth.