Highly Credentialed Physicians Take Care of You

All the professionals at CTCA are highly experienced and credentialed.

The type of professional we attract at CTCA recognizes the power of healthy, open communication and values communications and experiences with patients and colleagues. These skilled clinicians breathe life into your integrative treatment plan. Here is a list of just some of the physicians you might meet when you visit CTCA:

Dr. Edgar Staren serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear, Arizona. An experienced, renowned surgical oncologist, Dr. Staren previously served as Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer for CTCA.

Dr. Staren earned a medical degree from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago in 1982. He completed a general surgery internship and residency at Rush University Medical Center, followed by a surgical oncology fellowship at Rush, during which he earned the ASCO Research Award. Dr. Staren also earned a PhD in tumor immunobiology from Rush University and an MBA from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

Before joining CTCA in 2005, Dr. Staren was senior attending surgeon at the Medical College Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, as well as attending surgeon at both St. Luke’s Hospital and Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center. In addition, Dr. Staren spent seven years as a professor in the Department of Surgery at the Medical College of Ohio (MCO) in Toledo, Ohio, where he also served as Chairman and Surgery Residency Program Director. He also served as Medical Director of the MCO Cancer Institute.

Dr. Staren is former president of the Toledo Surgical Society, the Rush Surgical Society and the American Society of Breast Surgeons. He has also served on the Board of Trustees for the American Cancer Society, Ohio Division.

Dr. Staren has been a visiting professor in the Department of General Surgery at Rush Medical College in Chicago, where he previously served as Associate Dean for Medical Student Programs.

Dr. Staren is nationally recognized for his clinical and research activities as an academic surgical oncologist, with specific expertise in diseases of the breast, liver and endocrine glands. He has published extensively, with more than 200 scientific works, and has given over 150 presentations.

In 2010, Dr. Staren was selected as one of Chicago’s “Top Doctors” by Chicago Magazine. He is the recipient of  numerous awards and honors. He has been a featured physician in Best Doctors in America (Best Doctors, Inc.), America’s Top Surgeons (Consumers Research Council) and America's Top Doctors^® (Castle Connelly).

Dr. Staren embraces the integrative approach to patient care at CTCA, which includes a combination of state-of-the-art technology, conventional medicine and complementary therapies—all delivered in a compassionate manner.

Dr. Staren belongs to several professional organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Society of Surgical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, the American College of Physician Executives, and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the National Board of Medical Examiners, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

CTCA owes a great deal to Dr. Flynn. He was instrumental in helping develop the center's first Radiation Therapy Department, thus allowing CTCA to house all of its classic medical treatments under one roof.

Dr. Flynn brings a wealth of experience to his role at CTCA. He has taught radiology and radiation oncology and served for 17 years as an attending physician at Overlook Hospital in New Jersey. Board-certified from the American Board of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiology, Dr. Flynn completed residencies in diagnostic radiation and radiation oncology from New York Hospital and Cornell Medical Center. He received his medical degree from the St. Louis University School of Medicine.

Ask Dr. Flynn what distinguishes the Radiation Therapy Department at CTCA from other facilities and he is quick to point out two factors: "The most sophisticated equipment available for patients ... and our unique care providers who create an environment of hope and healing."

In December 2006, Dr. Flynn was appointed to the position of National Clinical Director of Oncology Services to assist CTCA in bridging clinical care across its regional centers.

Because living with cancer can often generate pulmonary problems for patients, there is a growing need in cancer care to manage respiratory complications. Dr. Nader is no stranger to this task.

Dr. Nader received his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri. He completed both his residency and a fellowship in pulmonary medicine at the Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego, California. He is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care medicine. In addition to serving as Medical Director for both a pulmonary function lab and respiratory therapy department, Dr. Nader currently serves as the Director of the Lung Center and Vice Chief of Staff at Southwestern Regional Medical Center. In December 2006, Dr. Nader was appointed to the position of National Clinical Director of Pulmonary/Critical Care to assist CTCA in bridging clinical care across its regional centers. Dr. Nader is grateful to CTCA for the opportunity to use a broad range of advanced technologies to make a real difference in the lives of patients.

Prior to joining Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, Dr. Chen held the position of oncology fellow at Moffitt Cancer Treatment Center and Research Institute, one of the top comprehensive cancer centers in the nation.

Dr. Chen has provided patient care and studied medicine on three continents. He served hematology fellowships at University Libre de Bruxelles in Belgium and Shanghai Medical University in China. He earned his PhD in immunology from the University of Iowa and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Chen is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology and American Medical Association.

When it comes to meeting the complex surgical needs of CTCA patients, Dr. Greeff is meeting this challenge head on. His background includes running a thriving general surgery and surgical oncology practice as well as training under one of the most renowned cancer surgeons in the country. He received his medical degree from Medical School of the University of Cape Town in South Africa and his residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, where he was also a member of the surgical teaching staff.

One of Dr. Greeff's most memorable experiences at CTCA was removing the tumor of a patient who had been told previously that her cancer was inoperable. A few days after surgery, she left CTCA cancer free, saying she hadn't felt so good in five years. It's experiences like this that motivate Dr. Greeff to provide the exceptional care that patients come to expect at CTCA.

Dr. Simeon Jaggernauth earned his medical degree from Oklahoma State University, followed by an internship at Tulsa Regional Medical Center, an internal medicine residency at the University of Oklahoma and a fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

In addition to medical oncology, Dr. Jaggernauth is also board certified in mechanical engineering and has a special interest in medical informatics: the acquisition, processing and management of data related to health care. His research in this area includes the creation of a PalmOS database application that serves as a mobile library of oncology information for physicians in areas without internet access; an application that produces a calculator for computing the chemotherapy dosing of many standard regimens; and the development of computerized forms for the standardization and simplification of many chemotherapy regimens and their administration at the University of Louisville.

Prior to joining CTCA, Dr. Jaggernauth practiced medicine at Cancer Care Associates, an outpatient cancer clinic in the Tulsa area. He was also a consultant on the medical and scientific advisory board of MEDSYNC Research where he helped develop diagnostic tools and patient tracking software packages for physicians.

He is a member of the Oklahoma Society of Clinical Oncologist, American Society of Clinical Oncologist, American Society of Hematology, and the American Medical Association.

Reaching out to others comes naturally to Dr. Ketterl. Not only is she a supportive and compassionate medical oncologist, she is also actively involved in providing medical care and education to the community at large.

Prior to joining CTCA, Dr. Ketterl ran a private practice in Tennessee. She completed her residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in oncology at East Tennessee State University, where she also received her medical degree.

Dr. Ketterl's "after-hours" activities include organizing lectures in Internal Medicine and an annual conference on Alternative Medicine for healthcare professionals as well as participating in community education and an annual medical mission outreach program.

CTCA's integrative approach to cancer treatment is what ultimately attracted Dr. Shrestha to Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Dr. Shrestha was eager to work with the team of integrative clinicians, where together they can add a great deal of value to the patient.

Dr. Shrestha was the Chief Fellow in the division of Hematology-Oncology at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center past two years. Prior to joining CTCA, she was the Chief Medical Resident at the Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in NY. Dr. Shrestha received her medical education at the Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India and is board certified.

After more than three decades of caring for patients at other hospitals, Dr. Chang stumbled upon something unusual when he walked through the doors of CTCA: compassion. The staff's empathy and support for patients living with cancer, he said, was unlike any he'd experienced at other facilities.

We are delighted to have Dr. Chang as a member of our radiation oncology team. His medical education and training began in his native Korea, where he received his medical degree from Kyung-puk University. After moving to the U.S. in 1972, Dr. Chang went on to work in a number of Chicago-area hospitals including St. Anne's, the VA Research Hospital and Northwestern Memorial. Dr. Chang is certified by the Educational Council for Foreign Medical Graduates as well as the American Board of Radiology.

CTCA's patient-empowered approach to treating cancer fits well with Dr. Citrin's philosophy. He says there's no question that cancer risk is tied directly to genetics and lifestyle. He agrees that CTCA's program, promoting exercise and proper nutrition, is beneficial to patients in treatment, as well as in prevention of cancer.

Dr. Citrin joined CTCA in 2004 with more than three decades of oncology experience. He was director of in-patient oncology and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California in San Diego. He then served as associate professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City before he joined the faculty of Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago as an associate professor of medicine in 1982. He also served as medical director for a year at Mt. Sinai Hospital North in Chicago. Board certified, he received his medical training at the University of Glasgow in Glasgow, Scotland, and completed an oncology fellowship program at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

As Director of Radiation Oncology at CTCA, Dr. Eden is excited by what his team can offer patients -- technology that's "head and shoulders" above that of other regional hospitals, combined with a collaborative and caring environment.

Board-certified in radiation oncology, Dr. Eden completed his residency at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in 1994. He holds a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

"At CTCA, I get to know the whole patient, not just their cancer." In discussing his role as medical oncologist at CTCA, Dr. Granick shows he isnt afraid to get close to his patients. "I work with patients who have been mistreated elsewhere because their pain is not under control. I find great satisfaction in relieving pain, suffering and discomfort, because this provides such a significant improvement in their quality of life in such a great way." It's this personable and determined attitude that endears him to those he treats.

During his career at CTCA, Dr. Granick has served as the Director of Oncology Services and Palliative Care. He received his medical degree from State University of New York in Brooklyn then went on to complete his internship and residency at Presbyterian-University Medical Center in Philadelphia, and Hematology fellowship at State University of New York in Brooklyn.

Since 1997, Dr. Levin has served as the Director of Medical Oncology at CTCA. In discussing what distinguishes CTCA from other hospitals that provide cancer treatment, Dr. Levin points to the integral role that patients' family members play here. It's a true pleasure, Dr. Levin says, to care for patients who receive such tremendous family support, and it allows him to focus more intently on providing the best care possible for his patients.

Dr. Levin is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology and has been on the medical staff at several prominent Chicago-area hospitals. A graduate of the University of Chicago Medical School, he completed his residency at Northwestern University. While there, he also completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Levin now resides in Highland Park, Illinois. He is married with two sons -- which he feels are three more reasons to believe in the incredible power of family.

If you want to know about the history of CTCA, ask Dr. Mellijor. Dr. Mellijor was the second physician to join our center back in 1981 and as such, has an extensive knowledge of the integrative care structure here. As founder and head of the New Patient Evaluation Process, he calls upon this knowledge everyday to guide new patients in selecting the treatment and supportive services that best meet their needs.

Dr. Mellijor received his medical degree from Cebu Institute of Medicine in the Philippines. After moving to the United States, he completed his surgical residency training at St. Johns Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn, NY before completing his fellowship in Surgical Oncology at State University of New York, Brooklyn, NY.

It's a long journey between the Middle East and the American Midwest. And yet it's here in Zion, Illinois, that Pakistan-native Dr. Neelam feels right at home.

As a medical oncologist at CTCA, Dr. Neelam feels fortunate to work in such a supportive and compassionate environment -- one in which integrative care is more than just a goal; it's a working philosophy.

Over the years, Dr. Neelam has held positions as a medical oncologist/hematologist, obstetrics/gynecology technician, and a clinical instructor. She is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology and received her medical degree from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Pakistan. Dr. Neelam also completed residencies in Services Hospital, Pakistan and at Edgewater Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago.

Upon his first visit to CTCA, Dr. Ray felt an immediate sense of home. And with good reason. Our integrative treatment facility is the perfect match for his multidisciplinary medical background.

Board-certified in both plastic and reconstructive surgery and acupuncture, Dr. Ray has seen first hand the empowering effects on patients of combining conventional treatments with complementary therapies. Prior to joining CTCA, Dr. Ray ran private practices in both acupuncture and plastic and reconstructive surgery. He holds a bachelor's degree from University of California at Berkeley and a medical degree from the University of Rochester Medical School, where he also completed his residency.

Dr. Ray is excited about the options available to CTCA patients in plastic and reconstructive surgery and medical acupuncture. These options are significantly improving the quality of life for people living with cancer.

As a hematologist/oncologist at CTCA, Dr. Redei is proud to be part of a growing movement toward more patient-oriented cancer care.

He brings to his position a wealth of experience including serving as Director of the Matched Unrelated Donor Transplant Program at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta and as Assistant Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the Winship Cancer Center.

Board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology, Dr. Redei received his medical degree from Semmelweiss Ignac Medical University in Budapest, Hungary, then went on to complete his residency at New York Medical College. He completed a fellowship in hematology from Temple University and a fellowship in oncology from Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. In 2001, Dr. Redei was named one of the "top doctors" in Atlanta.

Since 1979, Dr. Sanchez has been an integral member, not to mention a visionary leader, on our surgical oncology team.

During his tenure at CTCA, Dr. Sanchez has served as both Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery. He received his medical degree from the Cebu Institute of Medicine in the Phillippines and later completed a dual residency in pathology and general surgery at St. Johns Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn. His memberships include the American Society of General Surgeons and the American Society of Clinical Hyperthemic Oncology.

One of the factors responsible for Dr. Sanchez's long tenure at CTCA is the center's unique approach to patient care which he describes as being more compassionate and collaborative than most hospital settings, thus, allowing patients to experience greater all-around healing benefits.

In her role as gynecologic oncologist at CTCA, Dr. Williams specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs -- a position for which she is uniquely qualified. Dr. Williams is a breast cancer survivor and thus shares a first-hand understanding of the physical and emotional hardships her patients face.

Before joining CTCA, Dr. Williams served as an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School. After receiving her medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, she went on to complete her residency at Hartford Hospital and a fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

When it comes to lending her patients an empathetic ear, Dr. Williams takes a compassionate "hands-on" approach, kneeling down to speak with patients who are seated or in a wheelchair or offering to join them in prayer if asked.

Dr. Frederick Brunk has a very close connection to cancer. His mother died of leukemia and two of his brothers are currently battling cancer. He knows what it’s like to be personally affected by this disease.

Dr. Brunk has been helping patients at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) since 1995, where he serves his passion for radiology. Dr. Brunk takes care when explaining the results of imaging scans to his patients, to provide a clear understanding of both the disease and the treatment approach. He wrote the initial TheraSphere^® protocol and has developed treatment regimens for primary liver cancers, as well as cancers that have spread to the liver. He helped start the bone marrow transplant program at the University of Iowa in 1975 and has earned many top honors in his profession.

Dr. Brunk was in private medical oncology practice from 1976 to 1994, where he actively incorporated spiritual and psychological healing elements into conventional treatment methods. When he arrived at CTCA, he was delighted to find these and other complementary therapies all under one roof.

Prior to opening his medical oncology practice, Dr. Brunk was a member of the clinical teaching staff at the University of Iowa. He received a medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed residencies in chest disease and internal medicine. He holds a fellowship in medicine (oncology) from The Johns Hopkins University and two fellowships in clinical pharmacology (oncology) from the University of Iowa.

Dr. Brunk transferred from CTCA at Eastern Regional Medical Center to CTCA at Western Regional Medical Center in Goodyear, Arizona in 2008.

Other highlights of Dr. Brunk’s career include:

• 2001 Physician of the Year, CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center
• 2003 International Health Professional of the Year
• Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare
• Who’s Who in America
• Who’s Who in the World
• Board Certified in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine
• Fellow of the American College of Physicians
• Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacology

Dr. Richard G. Schmidt graduated from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in 1980. He completed his internship, orthopedic residency and fellowship in orthopedic research at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 1985. Following his residency, Dr. Schmidt completed an orthopedic oncology fellowship at Shands Teaching Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

Currently, Dr. Schmidt is Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at The Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. He is also an attending surgeon at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Schmidt specializes in sarcomas which includes cancer of the bone and soft tissue and metastatic bone cancer. He is known for his expertise in the surgical management of limb salvage surgery.

Dr. Schmidt is board certified by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. He is past president of the Pennsylvania Orthopedic Society and is currently Legislative Chairman of the society. He is also a fellow and diplomat of the AAOS and a member of the New Jersey Orthopedic Society and Philadelphia Orthopedic Society.

As the latest addition to the talented and dedicated care team at CTCA at Eastern Regional Medical Center, Dr. Steven Standiford brings over 25 years of oncology experience to his position as Chief of Surgery.

"Our approach of treating the person with cancer, rather than just treating the cancer, is the way I have practiced throughout my career," says Dr. Standiford. "I am thrilled to be practicing in a setting where that patient-centered approach, using innovative treatments, is the focus of everyone."

Prior to joining CTCA, Dr. Standiford was a surgical oncologist at the Marshfield Clinic in Marshfield, Wisconsin, and served on the surgical staff at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. In addition, he has held a number of other prestigious appointments during his career, including chair of the National Cancer Institute's Central Institutional Review Board, deputy chief of surgical oncology, chief of the section of breast diseases and director of outpatient clinics at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center at the University of Missouri, and assistant program director for the general surgery residency at the Marshfield Clinic. He also served as chair of the Institutional Review Board and vice chair for the Clinical Cancer Committee at the University of Missouri Health Sciences Center in Columbia, Missouri.

A native of Trenton, New Jersey, he is a graduate of Wilkes College and New Jersey Medical School. He completed his general surgery residency at Temple University Hospital, and his fellowship in surgical oncology at New Jersey Medical School. He was a visiting research fellow in surgical oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.

In addition to his dedicated service to his patients, Dr. Standiford has extensive teaching experience, including appointments at the University of Wisconsin, Temple University School of Medicine and the University of Missouri. Throughout his career, Dr. Standiford has also served on the boards of several professional organizations, including the Breast Disease Committee for the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project and as a councilor of the Missouri Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

As a part of Dr. Standiford's life-long commitment to improving cancer treatment, he has participated in wide-ranging research and has been awarded grants to study breast and colon cancer, as well as breast cancer prevention.

Throughout his career, Dr. Standiford has contributed chapters to a number of textbooks and has been published in several medical journals, including the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, the Journal of Surgical Oncology and Trauma Quarterly.

"It is the compassionate physician that heals with compassion, heals more completely, and heals the whole person." That is Dr. Rudolph Willis' guiding belief as he works with patients and staff members in his role as Chief of Medical Oncology. "My goal is to help CTCA's Eastern Regional Medical Center set the standard of cancer care to which all future cancer care will be compared." Dr. Willis earned his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, followed by a Medical Oncology fellowship at NIH, National Cancer Institute, where he completed research in the Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology and was awarded the NIH's Research Scientist Development Award.

His professional background includes extensive teaching experience at both the University of Missouri Kansas City School of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine. He also served as the Director of Washington University School of Medicine Clinical Trials, Subunit Regional Hospital and previously practiced oncology at CTCA. Most recently, he practiced oncology in Virginia before joining CTCA.

Dr. Willis is board certified and has published numerous works that have appeared in scientific and medical journals. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Society for Integrative Oncology.