Who's Who at HUPTI
one out of every three Virginians will develop some form of cancer during his or her lifetime
Dr. Bert Holmes
Dr. Bert W. Holmes, Jr. M.D. (Brig Gen Ret.) serves as the executive director of the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI). Holmes brings a spirit of excellence in leadership, with a 30 year distinguished career in the military having retired as brigadier general in the Virginia Army National Guard, decorated with numerous commendations and awards. Holmes became the first African American state surgeon in the National Guard, where he also served as senior flight surgeon and became the first African American assistant adjutant general.
Holmes received his medical degree and specialty training in urology from the Howard University School of Medicine.
Holmes retired from private practice as a urological surgeon and is currently the university physician for Hampton University.
Dr. Christopher Sinesi
Dr. Christopher Sinesi serves as the medical director for HUPTI. Sinesi has demonstrated excellence in the field of oncology, serving thousands of patients in the Hampton Roads region for the past 20 years. He has developed radiation centers at numerous hospitals in Hampton Roads and North Carolina, bringing state-of-the-art cancer care close to home for his patients. Sinesi and his partners at Oncology Associates of Virginia have been named best in Virginia by Hampton Roads Magazine. Sinesi has also been involved with protons and heavy particle radiation since the 1980's. Sinesi, a Boston native, studied medicine at the Boston University School of Medicine and received a B.S. from Brown University.
Dr. Allan Thornton
Dr. Allan Thornton serves as radiation oncologist at the Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI). Thornton is a nationally recognized physician with 19 years experience in proton therapy and an area of expertise in head, neck and brain tumors. He has served thousands of patients across the country at renowned facilities such as Harvard University (Massachusetts General Hospital) and the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute (MPRI) where he served as founding medical director. Thornton brings his passion for cancer care and his world-class experience to the Hampton Roads region.
Dr. Cynthia Keppel
Dr. Cynthia Keppel leads the technical and research programs of HUPTI as the scientific and technical director, bringing a wealth of knowledge from both nuclear and medical physics to the team. Keppel joined Hampton University over 10 years ago. She currently holds a joint position as an HU endowed professor and also as staff scientist at the nearby Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, arguably the nation’s premier nuclear physics institution. Keppel has authored seven patents relating to cancer diagnosis and treatment, and has published over 130 peer-reviewed publications on topics ranging from nuclear phenomenology to medical instrumentation. She has received numerous awards and grants, and currently oversees nearly $1 million annually in external research support. Keppel received her Ph.D. and MS from the American University and a B.A. from St. John's College.
Robin Chenail, MA-HRD, SPHR
Robin Chenail, MA-HRD, SPHR, is the director of operations, responsible for the overall operations of HUPTI. Her previous experience includes physician practice management and integration, operations, human resources administration and analysis, billing and accounting, professional development, employee relations, as well as developing successful working relationships with a wide variety of management teams, physicians, providers, educators and other professionals. Most recently, Chenail served as director of Human Resources and privacy official for a major division of a local healthcare organization, including 1,500 physicians, providers, managers and staff at over 100 sites. Chenail received her Master’s degree in Human Resources Development from the George Washington University, and achieved certification as a senior professional in Human Resources (SPHR).
Pamela Cole
Pamela M. Cole serves as the director of Finance, responsible for the overall finance management operations of HUPTI. With over 15 years of experience related to human resources, finance, accounting and auditing, Cole brings significant knowledge and experience to HUPTI. Cole previously worked at Hampton University as chief accountant in the Business Office, where she managed the daily operations of the Grants, Payroll, Accounts Payable and General Accounting departments. Prior to joining HU, Cole worked in a variety of other industries for various Fortune 500 companies. Cole received her undergraduate accounting degree from Kansas State University and is currently a certified public accountant.
Sarita Scott
Sarita Scott serves as the director of public relations of HUPTI, bringing a substantial knowledge of public relations and marketing to the team with over 13 years experience. Having been with Hampton University for over five years, Scott also served as director of University Relations where she was responsible for the overall image of the university, producing a continuous line of publications, generating local and national publicity and creating effective advertising campaigns. Scott has similar experience in the healthcare and transportation industries. She has won numerous local and national awards for her achievements in public relations and marketing, to include producing quality publications and obtaining notable national media coverage. Scott received a B.A. in English/Journalism and B.A. in Communications from Old Dominion University.
MaryBeth Sullivan-Dickey
Marybeth Sullivan-Dickey serves as chief radiation therapist, overseeing patient treatment delivery. Sullivan-Dickey brings over 16 years experience in the field of proton therapy. She comes to HUPTI from the Midwest Proton Therapy Institute (MPRI) in Indiana and Harvard University (Massachusetts General Hospital), having treated over 2,000 patients. Sullivan-Dickey received a master’s degree in radiation therapy at Laboure College, Boston, MA. Sullivan-Dickey has particular expertise in complex treatment deliveries with adults and pediatrics.
Michael Freeman
Michael Freeman serves as radiation therapist, bringing an extensive amount of proton therapy and direct patient care experience to the clinical team at HUPTI. Certified by the National American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Freeman has served thousands of patients in the military and at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, where he has twice been awarded for outstanding patient care. With his broad experience, Freeman delivers high quality proton therapy care to patients at HUPTI.