Team Wrona

Mark Wrona MD

Medical Director, Palliative Care

Dr. Wrona was born in Florida, but moved during his first year of life to upstate New York, where he was raised and developed an appreciation for the four seasons. He travelled across the country pursuing his higher education in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Maryland and finally Maine for medical residency training. His areas of medical interest are pain management, palliative care and advanced care planning. He feels privileged to care for the patients of New England Cancer Specialists when they need to be hospitalized.

Dr. Wrona lives with his wife and daughter in Falmouth. He enjoys being outdoors with his family, particularly to go hiking, camping and skiing.

Andrea Berry NP

Palliative Care

Andrea grew up in Newton, MA and Geneva, Switzerland, and attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regis University, she provided inpatient care in oncology and post-bone marrow transplant. 

After taking a brief hiatus from nursing to have children, she worked at the Alfond Cancer Center while getting her Master of Science in Nursing at Walden University, followed by postgraduate work at Graybirch Long Term Care facility in Augusta. She joined New England Cancer Specialists in 2018 as a palliative medicine nurse practitioner. 

Andrea lives in Brunswick with her husband, two children, chocolate lab, Moxie, and rescue cat, Amos. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and exotic foods. 

Bridget R. Franciose NP

Palliative Care

A native of South Portland, Bridget pursued her nursing degree at Mass General IHP, after completing a bachelor’s degree in Art History at Clark University in Worcester, MA.  After starting her nurse practitioner career working with veterans at the VAMC in Miami, she returned to the beautiful state of Maine to take a position in a pulmonary practice at Mercy hospital.

Managing pulmonary disease inspired her interest in palliative care, a specialty devoted to helping people live as well as they can while facing the physical and emotional challenges of serious illness. In 2009, she returned to Mass General for training in palliative care, first in the acute care setting, then in the Yawkey Center for Cancer Care.

Five years later she returned to use her skills in her Southern Maine community, and has worked exclusively in palliative and supportive care since, serving patients in inpatient, outpatient and home care settings. She joined the NECS Supportive Care team in March of 2020.

Bridget lives in South Portland with her family. She is an avid gardener, art enthusiast and beachgoer.

Gretchen Preneta PA-C

Palliative Care

Gretchen‘s clinical experience includes neurosurgery, oncology, otolaryngology, and hospitalist medicine. She was assistant clinical professor at the University of New England Physician Assistant School and served two terms as President of the Maine Association of Physician Assistants, leading the organization to the successful passage of LD 1660, An Act to Increase Access to Physician Assistant Care. She is particularly interested in palliative care, oncology, geriatrics, and healthcare leadership.

Prior to becoming a physician assistant, Gretchen taught middle school for 11 years and worked on weekends and vacations as an EMT for a 911 service. She enjoys spending time with her family, connecting with friends over good food and live music, travel, and wilderness camping.  She feels most fulfilled when she is working to improve the quality of life for her patients, her colleagues, and her community.

Jennifer Dimond LCSW

Jennifer comes to New England Cancer Specialists following several years as a hospice/palliative care social worker. Previously, she worked in the marketing/communications field for 20 years but feels that social work is her true calling.

Jen grew up in Topsham and has lived in Maine most of her life. She loves getting to know people from all walks of life and hearing their stories. She is a strong believer in each person’s right to live life on their own terms and is committed to helping people find their voice and feel empowered to make their wishes known.

Jen is happy to meet with your primary caregiver, either with you or individually, to support them as they support you.