New England Cancer Specialists Announces New Board President Following Eight Years of Leadership
New England Cancer Specialists (NECS) is pleased to announce a leadership transition within our Board of Directors. Following eight years of dedicated service as Board President, Dr. Chiara Battelli will be stepping aside from her role at the end of the year. Dr. Battelli will remain an active member of the NECS Board and Executive Committee, continuing to help guide the organization’s mission and growth.
Under Dr. Battelli’s thoughtful and collaborative leadership, NECS has achieved remarkable milestones. During her presidency, our organization:
- Became one of the first oncology practices in the nation to earn ASCO Medical Home Certification, underscoring our commitment to patient-centered, high-quality care.
- Became a founding member of the Oncare Alliance and the Oncology College
- Expanded into New Hampshire with the opening of our Portsmouth practice, extending access to exceptional community-based cancer care.
- Became the first Affiliate Member of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a historic partnership that brings world-class expertise and access to clinical trials closer to home for our patients in Maine and New Hampshire.
- Established new Survivorship, Radiation Therapy programs
- Launched the Center for Breast Health, enhancing the continuum of care for patients.
- Formed key partnerships with Central Maine Healthcare and Northern Light Mercy Hospital, providing their communities with NECS-led medical oncology services.
- Named one of Maine’s Best Places to Work for the past three consecutive years.
Dr. Battelli has a strong history of engaging with the community and helping to guide cancer-focused non-profits. She was a founding member of the Cancer Safety Net Foundation and currently serves on the board of the Snell Foundation.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as Board President and to witness the strength, compassion, and innovation that define this organization,” said Dr. Battelli. “What makes NECS so special is the collaboration between our physicians, staff, and community partners—all united by a shared commitment to deliver the best possible care for our patients. I am incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and excited for what lies ahead.”
Dr. Battelli’s vision and steady leadership have helped guide NECS through a period of extraordinary growth and transformation—including our move to Rock Row, which represents a new era of collaboration, innovation, and patient-centered care – and we want to take this opportunity to thank her for her tireless commitment to improving the lives of those with cancer.
As we look to the future, NECS is proud to announce that Dr. Devon Evans will succeed Dr. Battelli as the new President of the Board of Directors. Dr. Evans, a Medical Oncologist and Hematologist, has been with NECS since 2007 and has served on the Executive Committee for many years. He also serves on the boards of the Maine Cancer Foundation and The New England Oncology Foundation, bringing both regional perspective and deep understanding of the opportunities ahead for our organization.
“I’m deeply grateful for Dr. Battelli’s leadership and the legacy of excellence she established,” said Dr. Evans. “NECS is a unique and inspiring organization—we are independent, innovative, mission-driven, and always focused on what’s best for our patients. I’m honored to help lead our continued growth as we expand access to high-quality cancer care across Maine and New Hampshire.”
Dr. Evans will assume the role of Board President effective January 1, 2026. With his leadership, NECS will continue to advance its mission as a physician-led, community-based cancer care provider dedicated to improving the lives of patients across Maine and New Hampshire.