Medical Experts in Cancer Care
The doctors, nurses, and care team at the hospital or clinic are an integral part of the cancer experience. Hear directly from those who have worked in the industry for years.
Oncologists
Dr. Christopher Weight
Oncologist: Specializing in urological oncology, including kidney, prostate, bladder, and more; president of Climb 4 Kidney Cancer
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Mid-sized teaching institution
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Dr. Babis Andreadis, Blood Cancer Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in blood cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma
Experience: 20+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large teaching institution
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Dr. Doug Blayney, Breast Cancer Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in breast cancer | HER2, Estrogen+, Triple Negative, Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy
Experience: 30+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large teaching institution
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Dr. Kenneth Biehl, Radiation Therapy
Oncologist: Specializing in radiation therapy treatment for all cancers | Brachytherapy, External Beam Radiation Treatment, IMRT
Experience: 10 years
Hospital/clinic size: Mid-range but largest in region
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Dr. James Berenson, Multiple Myeloma Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in myeloma and other blood and bone disorders
Experience: 35+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large private practice
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Dr. Jacqueline Barrientos, CLL Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) | 17p Deletion (Ibrutinib, Acalabrutinib, Venetoclax), IgHV mutation
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Large institution
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Dr. D. Ross Camidge, Lung Cancer Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in thoracic oncology. Small Cell (Immunotherapy), EGFR (Osimertinib), ALK (Alectinib), ROS1 (Crizotinib), BRAF (Dabrafenib & Trametinib), NTRK
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Mid-sized institution
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Dr. Edmund Tai
Oncologist: General oncologist, hematologist. Specialist in treating Chinese speaking patients. Barriers & Learnings.
Experience: 30+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large private practice
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Dr. Rafael Fonseca, Myeloma Specialist
Hematologist: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of myeloma; defining sub-type distinctions | Clinical Trials, Selinexor, Darzalex
Experience: 25+ years
Hospital/clinic size: Large institution
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Dr. Irene Ghobrial, Blood Cancer Oncologist
Oncologist: Clinical investigator and professor of hematological oncology | MGUS, Smolder Myeloma, Early Screening, Clinical Trials
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Large institution
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Dr. Tim Fenske, Leukemia & Lymphoma Specialist
Oncologist: Specializing in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) & other leukemia and lymphoma | CAR T, Acalabrutinib, Ibrutinib, Idelalisib, Venetoclax
Experience: ~15 years
Hospital/clinic size: Mid-sized institution
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Dr. David Miklos, CAR T, Blood Cancers, Transplants
Role: Hematologist-oncologist, clinical director of immunotherapy program
Specialties: Blood cancers (lymphoma, leukemia, myeloma), CAR T-cell therapy, blood and marrow transplantation
Hospital: Stanford Medical
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Nurses and Nurse Navigators
Bernadette Lucas-Burch, Nurse Navigator
Nurse Navigator: help cancer patients and caregivers at diagnosis through treatment.
Experience: 35+ years
Hospital size: Mid-range but largest in the region
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Brianna Banachoski, Hem-Onc Nurse
Nurse: works 12-hour shifts on blood oncology floor
Experience: was a lymphoma patient, became a nurse in early 2019
Hospital size: mid-range
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Jennifer Hagerty, Cancer Clinic Nurse
Clinic nurse: works mostly outpatient
Experience: 12 years
Hospital size: Large teaching institution
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Genetic Counselors
Angela Brickle, Genetic Counselor
Genetic counselor: helps cancer patients and their families with genetic testing
Experience: ~5 years
Hospital size: Mid-sized edu
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Social Workers
Lia Akhilanda, Social Worker
Social worker: help cancer patients & caregivers on issues like insurance coverage, disability, and housing during treatment.
Experience: 10 years
Hospital size: Large teaching institution
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Oncology Clinical Trial Program Managers
Kris Curl Johnston, Program Manager
Program Manager: primary contact for area oncologists and patients needing a phase I trial.
Experience: ~20 years
Hospital size: Large teaching institution
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Naturopathic Doctors
Yelena Deshko, N.D.
Naturopathic Doctor: Part of integrative cancer care, help with complementary therapies
Experience: 10+ years
Treatment Center: Integrative Clinic
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Dr. Heather Paulson
Naturopathic Doctor: Part of integrative cancer care, help with complementary therapies
Experience: 15 years
Treatment Center: Integrative Clinic
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