Radiation Oncology Physicians & Staff
Your physician will work closely with a team of physician assistants, nurses, radiation therapists, medical assistants and medical services coordinators to ensure an efficient appointment each time you visit us for treatment or follow-up care.
Radiation Oncology Physicians
Radiation Oncologists are the doctors who will oversee your radiation therapy treatments. These physicians work with the other members of the radiation therapy team to develop your treatment plan and ensure that each treatment is given accurately. Your Radiation Oncologist will also monitor your progress and adjust the treatment as necessary to make sure the radiation is hitting its target while minimizing side effects. Before, during and after your radiation therapy treatments, your Radiation Oncologist works closely with other cancer doctors, such as medical oncologists and surgeons, to maximize the radiation’s effectiveness.
Radiation Oncology Nursing Staff
Radiation oncology nurses and medical assistants work together with radiation oncologists and radiation therapists to care for you and your family during your radiation treatments. They will explain the possible side effects you may experience and describe how you can manage them. They will assess how you are doing throughout treatment and will help you cope with the changes you may experience. They will also provide support and counseling to you and your family.
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists work with radiation oncologists to administer the daily radiation treatment under the doctor's prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure they are working properly.
Medical Radiation Physicists
Qualified medical radiation physicists work directly with the radiation oncologist during treatment planning and delivery. They oversee the work of the dosimetrist and help ensure that complex treatments are properly tailored for each patient. Medical physicists are responsible for developing and directing quality control programs for equipment and procedures. Their responsibility also includes making sure the equipment works properly by taking precise measurements of the radiation beam and performing other safety tests on a regular basis.
Dosimetrists
Dosimetrists carefully calculate the dose of radiation to make sure the tumor gets enough radiation. Using computers, they work to develop a number of treatment plans that can best destroy the tumor while sparing normal tissue. Since treatment plans are often very complex, dosimetrists work with the radiation oncologist and the medical physicist to choose the treatment plan that is right for you.
People with cancer and those close to them often feel especially overwhelmed when it comes to nutrition. Our goal is to help you optimize wellness through nutrition. Nutritional counseling offers you the unique opportunity to learn the latest research about nutrition and cancer.Call (805) 879-5652 for more information.
Cancer can involve significant psychological, social, and economic challenges for patients and their families. How and if these challenges are addressed is an important aspect of a patient’s care plan. For this reason, the Cancer Center employs clinical social workers who provide emotional and practical support for patients, their families, and their friends.Call (805) 879-5690 for more information.
We are committed to helping those living with cancer take an active role in achieving what we call “wellness” – a calmer mind, a healthier body, a strengthened immune system and a renewed capacity to cope. A wide range of programs and classes (i.e. exercise, yoga, art, etc) are offered to all cancer patients. These unique programs serve as a bridge between standard cancer care and the non-medical aspects of healing. All are offered free-of-charge. Most of the programs are offered at 540 W. Pueblo Street. Call (805) 879-5678 for more information.
The Resource Library serves as an education center for patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the general public seeking cancer information and personalized research assistance. The Resource Library is located at 540 W. Pueblo. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Call (805) 879-5648 for more information.
If you have an inherited disease in your family, a genetic counseling session can help you understand your personal risk or the risk for other family members. It can also help you learn what testing, surveillance, prevention strategies, or research trials may be right for your situation. Call (805) 879-5681 for more information.
The Financial Specialist is a resource person available to answer patient questions regarding insurance coverage as it relates to their radiation treatments. Jennie is available to meet with patients to provide quotes regarding the cost of care, explore the need to set up payment plans or refer patients to other programs available when financial assistance is necessary. Call for more information or to make an appointment: (805) 879-0668.
Patient Navigators serve as liaisons between individual patients and the various healthcare providers required for proper diagnosis, treatment, and disease management. They serve as care coordinator throughout your entire experience, health education and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Call (805) 879-0660 for more information.