Nancy Alterman – Traveler, Rotarian, Cancer Care Advocate, Sports Fan, and Dog Whisperer

Born in Buffalo, New York, Nancy’s journey has taken her from snowstorms to seven continents. Upon earning a degree in Biology from the University of Rochester, she began her Radiation Therapy career in oncology at Strong Memorial Hospital. A move to Marblehead, Massachusetts led to an exciting role with a Swedish manufacturer of radiation therapy equipment, thus combining medicine with international business.

While pursuing her MBA at Boston University, Nancy met her husband Richard. They married, moved to Newark, Delaware, where she became Medical Affairs Director for the Delaware American Cancer Society, and welcomed their daughter, Tori.

In 1992, the family headed south to Alpharetta, Georgia, where Nancy spent the next three decades caring for cancer patients in radiation oncology at several Atlanta hospitals before retiring in 2022. Retirement, however, has proven to be just another full-time job!

Nancy has been a devoted member of Happy Tails Pet Therapy, where her beloved mutt, Millie, comforted patients and families for 14 years. Now the next generation, another lovable mutt named Millarky, is being evaluated to become a certified therapy dog and continue the family tradition.

Nancy also is a board member of the Cottage School working with the advancement committee and also Friends of Bulloch where she has chaired numerous Magnolia Balls and has been deeply involved with the Roswell Chriskindle Market.

An avid traveler, Nancy has visited all seven continents and all five oceans, always looking for her next adventure. She’s also an enthusiastic sports fan whose game-day loyalties span the country. You’ll find her cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves, and the Boston Red Sox—proof that you can successfully root for teams from both the North and the South!

Closer to home, service is at the heart of everything she does. A proud Rotarian for 16 years, Nancy served as President of the Roswell Rotary Club during 2024–25, earning the prestigious Sheffield Leadership Award while leading the club through an award-winning year. Today, she continues her Rotary journey as an Area Governor supporting four clubs.

Nancy and Richard recently traded Alpharetta for a wooded home on Cox Road in Cherokee County, also celebrated 38 years of marriage. Richard is semi-retired and now runs his own business development consulting company. Their daughter, Tori, is an ICU nurse at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Arthur M. Blank Hospital and recently married her longtime partner, Allison.

When she’s not traveling, volunteering, or cheering on her favorite teams, Nancy enjoys relaxing with a good thriller. Her favorite authors include Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Gregg Hurwitz. Practicing Tai Chi, which helps her balance an active life filled with service, travel, family and fun, believing life is best lived with purpose, curiosity, compassion, and a healthy sense of adventure.