Multidisciplinary Care Gives International Patient Her Life Back—and a Potential Pathway for Future Patients

In March 2019, Emily Foster’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer.

Emily—who is a Global Brand Ambassador for her family’s company, Goslings Rum—was born and raised in Bermuda but splits her time between Bermuda, the United Kingdom, and Canada. She first underwent chemotherapy and surgery in the UK and then a smaller procedure in Canada. Emily’s health seemed to be under control for the time being.

Then the world shut down when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“I started to experience intense gastrointestinal pain,” says Emily, “but it was difficult to find anyone who could provide care for me because of the state of the world.”

Fortunately, a good family friend referred Emily to his local hospital in the United States—UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Emily traveled to the US for some initial consults and testing so that her multidisciplinary team could get to know her, learn more about her case, and make the best care decisions possible. She met with her surgeon, gastroenterologist, oncologist, and women’s health physician—and they found an approach that worked for everyone, including Emily.

“One of my greatest fears was moving forward with a treatment plan when I felt that no one fully understood my condition yet,” says Emily. “The team at UMass Memorial put my mind at ease.”

Emily had her first surgery at UMass Memorial in May 2023, and then a second to provide a more permanent solution for her condition in April 2025. Emily credits the expert and compassionate care she received to her physicians—she says the team-based approach that is a pillar of the care UMass Memorial offers made all the difference.

“Dr. Donald Czerniach is my surgeon, and he was adamant about doing my procedure laparoscopically to minimize trauma,” says Emily. “He and my entire care team collaborated with one another, which allowed me to relax and take my health seriously while still living my life.” 

In the midst of this extraordinary time, Emily married her husband Dave—her biggest supporter who even quit his job to take care of her—she continued to work and travel internationally, and she became a pet-parent to her dog Spruce.

“Right before my last surgery began, Dr. Czerniach came in and gently tapped my foot,” says Emily through tears. “It was such a simple gesture that told me ‘I’m in your corner’ and that he was going to take care of me.”

Emily also says a key part of her health journey was her relationship with UMass Memorial Patient Liaison Executive Director, Theresa Hicks, who helped her overcome many roadblocks in getting care.

“If I didn’t have Theresa, none of this would have happened,” says Emily. “Having health insurance in Bermuda, living in Bermuda, the UK, and Canada, and receiving care in the US—it all made getting the treatment I so desperately needed more complicated. The longer I went without treatment the more my quality of life would have depleted. But Theresa never gave up on me and continued to advocate for me.”

Emily is now in remission, and it is the first time in six years that she isn’t in constant pain. She believes her health challenges over the past five years have shaped who she is today.

“It is the most wonderful gift to not be in pain every day,” says Emily. “I have scars, but they are scars of strength. If my health journey has helped open a pathway for international patients to receive care more easily, then I am grateful, and I have Dr. Czerniach, Theresa, and the entire UMass Memorial team to thank for that.”