oncology Archives - Business RadioX ®

Samantha Shams, MD, Piedmont Cancer Institute

August 16, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Samantha Shams, MD, Piedmont Cancer Institute

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 494)

Medical oncologist Dr. Samantha Shams joined host John Ray on this edition of North Fulton Business Radio to discuss her background, her work as a board member of the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO), the advantages of a doctor-owned practice like Piedmont Cancer Institute, the rapid advances in oncology treatment technology, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

**Samantha Shams, MD, Medical Oncologist, Piedmont Cancer Institute**

Dr. Samantha Shams is a medical oncologist and hematologist on the team at Piedmont Cancer Institute. Dr. Shams has a degree from Mercer University School of Medicine and did her residency at Emory University.

At Piedmont Cancer Institute, you will find comprehensive cancer care is what they do.

In 1987, Piedmont Cancer Institute began providing care for those diagnosed with cancer. Since that time, PCI has expanded its care to five cities in the Atlanta metro area. They have continued to operate as a private practice allowing their team to build meaningful patient relationships. From the beginning, their number one goal is to provide the best possible care in all aspects of treatment – Clinical, Mind, Body, and Spirit.

The physicians and staff treat all types of cancer and diseases of the blood. Their physicians and advanced practitioners work closely with your entire treatment team of specialists, primary care physicians, family, and caregivers to address your individualized cancer treatment plan. They integrate leading-edge therapies, the latest clinical trials, and cancer wellness programs for the best care possible.

They also offer convenient telehealth appointments and treatment education appointments – all easily scheduled through our website.

If you need a partner in care or need a second opinion, Piedmont Cancer Institute is here.

Company Website | LinkedIn | Samantha Shams LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

What factors in your life contributed to your decision to be a doctor specializing in medical oncology?
Why private practice?
Women are underrepresented among leadership in oncology specialties. Your thoughts as to why the gender gap.
What your board seat on GASCO (Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology) means for women in oncology?
What does the future of oncology look like?

North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has grown to become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Special thanks to A&S Culinary Concepts for their support of this edition of North Fulton Business Radio. A&S Culinary Concepts, based in Johns Creek, is an award-winning culinary studio, celebrated for corporate catering, corporate team building, Big Green Egg Boot Camps, and private group events. They also provide oven-ready, cooked-from-scratch meals to go they call “Let Us Cook for You.” To see their menus and events, go to their website or call 678-336-9196.

Dr. Mark McLaughlin and Shannon Ross, Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center

August 1, 2022 by John Ray

North Fulton Business Radio

Dr. Mark McLaughlin and Shannon Ross, Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center

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North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 479)

Wellstar radiation oncologist Dr. Mark McLaughlin and Director of Oncology Services Shannon Ross joined host John Ray to discuss the new Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center built on the Wellstar North Fulton campus. This comprehensive care center will serve as one of only two locations in metro Atlanta featuring state-of-the-art CyberKnife® technology for radiation therapy. Dr. McLaughlin and Shannon covered the services it will bring to patients, why CyberKnife® technology improves patient experience and outcomes, their unique approach to collaborative patient care, and much more.

North Fulton Business Radio is broadcast from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

People face cancer with confidence at Wellstar because of their multidisciplinary care model, physicians’ expertise and advanced treatments close to home. In fact, they have more than 300 healthcare providers that provide expert cancer care at nine cancer programs with convenient locations across Georgia.

Their multidisciplinary teams surround patients and their families with knowledgeable and compassionate support. Specialty programs for patients are led by physicians with advanced training. Here, patients see leading specialists who are experts in their fields.

Wellstar invests in state-of-the-art technology and participates in clinical trials to give patients access to a variety of advanced treatments including minimally-invasive surgery, high precision radiation dosages by CyberKnife and TrueBeam delivery systems, intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT), Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemoperfusion (HIPEC) as well as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies based on the latest advances in biomarker testing. Patients who qualify for clinical trials have access to groundbreaking treatments, often years before they are FDA-approved.

Because of Wellstar’s integrated approach to cancer treatment, their programs are nationally recognized by The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Commission on Cancerand the Care Continuum Centers of Excellence (CCCOE), a program of the GO₂ Foundation for Lung Cancer, among others.

Radiation Oncology

At Wellstar, radiation oncologists design a personalized plan for each patient. Radiation therapy delivers targeted energy from X-rays or radioactive sources to destroy cancer cells in a localized area.

Cancer is caused by cells with mutations in the DNA that cause them to grow uncontrollably. Wellstar radiation oncologists use advanced radiation techniques and technology to turn cancer’s strength into its greatest weakness. Radiation attacks cancer by altering the DNA within cancer cells and preventing them from reproducing and growing. Radiation therapy is completely painless—what patients experience during the radiation treatment is similar to undergoing imaging X-rays.

Radiation is effective for treating patients with many different types of cancer, including lung, breast and prostate cancer. Wellstar radiation oncologists design the best radiation therapy for each person based on the cancer type, the stage and various factors. The patient may benefit from radiation alone, or combined with other cancer treatments such as surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or chemotherapy.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Dr. Mark McLaughlin, Radiation Oncologist, Wellstar Radiation Oncology

Dr. McLaughlin received his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Duke University and his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. He completed his surgical internship at Shands Teaching Hospital, College of Medicine at University of Florida, where he also completed his residency in radiation oncology. Dr. McLaughlin also holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Central Michigan University.

Dr. McLaughlin is board-certified in radiation oncology. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, travel, gardening, boating, martial arts, and reading.

Shannon Ross, Director of Oncology Services, Wellstar Health System

Shannon Ross is Director of Oncology Services for Wellstar.

Shannon began his career as a radiation therapist and found a passion for creating an effective and caring patient experience and transitioned to the operational side of oncology care.

Shannon joined Wellstar in November 2021.

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Tell us about the new Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center
More about Dr. McLaughlin
Expansion of cancer care at Wellstar
Cyberknife technology
STAT Clinics approach

LADIES LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Honor Health Virginia G Piper Cancer Center with Dale Evans and Nancy McCutcheon

October 19, 2018 by Karen

LADIES-LEADERSHIP-CIRCLE-Honor-Health-Virginia-G-Piper-Cancer-Center-Dale-Evans-Nancy-McCutcheon

Phoenix Business Radio

LADIES LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Honor Health Virginia G Piper Cancer Center with Dale Evans and Nancy McCutcheon

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LADIES LEADERSHIP CIRCLE Honor Health Virginia G Piper Cancer Center with Dale Evans and Nancy McCutcheon

Twenty years ago, HonorHealth established the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center to provide comprehensive cancer care for patients and their families. They are known throughout the Southwest for their commitment to providing personalized cancer care, the center is recognized for its innovative combination of community cancer services, academic medicine and genomic cancer research. Today HonorHealth has extended its cancer services through a network across metro Phoenix. The HonorHealth Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care Network features:

Cancer care at HonorHealth’s five hospitals. Specialized centers for breast cancer imaging and breast cancer support. Cancer treatment options, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies, at convenient locations throughout the greater Phoenix area. A blood cancer program that specializes in leukemia, lymphomas, multiple myelomas and stem cell transplants. Personalized, targeted medicine and care. State-of-the-art diagnostic tests. Groundbreaking therapies that become tomorrow’s cure. A holistic, team-centered approach that encompasses services to heal mind, body and spirit.

Specialties: HonorHealth treats every kind of adult cancer, but the network has specialized programs for: Breast cancers. Pancreatic cancer. Blood cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal cancers. Gynecologic cancers such as ovarian and uterine, Sarcomas, Urinary and male genital tract cancers such as prostate cancer. Neurologic cancers, Skin cancers and Metastatic cancers.

Dale Evans, MPH Body, Mind, and Spirit Program Coordinator and Complementary Holistic Medicine at Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at HonorHealth. Dale received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from ASU and a respiratory therapy degree from Bio-system Institute and her Master’s in Public Health from Grand Canyon University. She began working at HonorHealth in 1986 as a Respiratory Therapist and joined the Community Health Team in 1996. As a Community Health Educator, she works with schools and community organizations to develop and coordinate prevention programs with community partners. In 2014 Dale was promoted to the Body, Mind, & Spirit Coordinator for the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center. Dale is an ACE certified personal trainer and an AFAA group fitness instructor since 1980 and Yoga Teacher since 2011. Dale teaches tobacco cessation classes for over 10 years.

Fun Fact: Evans, swam competitively for eight years and trained at ASU for the 1980 Olympic team. Body, Mind, and Spirit Program offers a variety of complementary integrative therapies which can relieve symptoms; may alleviate pain or side effects of standard treatments and improve overall physical, emotional, and spiritual well- being. The ones that participate in the body, Mind, and Spirit program thrive in their survivorship. Body Mind, and Spirit Program is evidence-based researched for patient center care. One-on-one Energy treatments like healing touch and Reiki, and sound healing and guided meditation help to restore and balance energy that has been depleted due to stress, illness, injury, grief, medical conditions, surgery or medical treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation.

Nancy McCutcheon is the Manger, Community Outreach Program and Cancer Center Operations at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center located on at the HonorHealth Shea Medical Center Campus in Scottsdale, Arizona. Nancy has worked for HonorHealth since June 2006. She began her community outreach journey over twenty years ago serving in the non-profit setting through her local church as an administrator and developing community programs. Nancy has worked in the healthcare field for over 20 years and has applied her community networking skills in her professional role to increase attendance and participation for cancer risk and prevention.

Nancy has served as the 2015 Director for Women of Scottsdale and was also named the 2016 Woman of the Year for Women of Scottsdale. As a young junior high FHA member, Nancy’s slogan, “Yesterdays Tomorrow is Today’s Beginning” became the Arkansas FHA state motto and she has held true to that passion for making change throughout the community in which she serves. Nancy resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband Randy, their daughters Brittany and Sydney and speaks regularly at her local church in which her and her husband pastor.

Follow HonorHealth on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

ABOUT LADIES LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Ladies Leadership Circle (LLC) is brought to you by the women who lived it, in partnership with Phoenix Business RadioX. LLC radio is an empowering program for any woman as any topic which affects women will be discussed and “brought to you by the women who lived it.” Since everything in today’s world affects women every topic is up for discussion such as health, family, faith, career, parenting, community, education, government, pets, cooking, shopping and the list goes on and on. The LLC mission is simple: we are women inspiring and thriving to celebrate and find a happy positive world while maneuvering and|or facing head on the challenges we face.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

JoAnn Holland‘s experience in different business environments over the past 33 years both for profit and non-profit, including internationally, and in small, medium and fortune 500 companies in addition to her community engagement has given her a unique perspective on leadership-one that contradicts much of what is out there already on the subject-and is reflective of the kind of female leader we need in today’s, at times, unstable and unpredictable business environment, family life, community outreach and political arena. JoAnn is the curent President and CEO for Central Phoenix Women, Scottsdale Women, East Valley Women and North Valley Women – organizations for women who have established themselves professionally and demonstrated their commitment to the community. Members are individuals who wish to enhance their leadership by connecting with like-minded women to share information, ideas, contacts and opportunities. Members value relationships that enhance their business, social and community endeavors.

jchollandco@gmail.com
Linkedin.com/in/JoAnn-Holland/

For more than 25 years, Karen Nowicki has been helping organizations and the people who lead them drive their business strategies more effectively and as a result her clients move from success to significance. In 2008, she was awarded the “Mompreneur of the Year Award” for the Southwest. Karen is a published author, accomplished speaker, and trusted adviser to business owners, senior executives and educational leaders. In 2016, Karen and her partners sold $99 Social to Wired Investors, affording her the opportunity and time to become a Studio Partner for Business RadioX – serving Arizona-based businesses by increasing their visibility and helping to accelerate the right relationships.

Karen.Nowicki@BusinessRadioX.com
Linkedin.com/in/KarenNowicki/

Radiation Oncology – Top Docs Radio

August 21, 2015 by angishields

Top Docs Radio

Radiation Oncology - Top Docs Radio

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Radiation Oncology

On this week’s show I sat down with Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Chad Levitt. We talked about how he decided he wanted to go into radiation oncology as his chosen field of practice. He shared how he enjoyed the fact that the specialty allowed him to call on his liberal arts schooling, helping him to be able to be perceptive to his patients’ needs and concerns, and allowing him to communicate effectively with them in a period of significant stress.

Chad explained how important it is for oncology physicians to make time to insure their patients’ questions are answered and that their concerns have been addressed. He believes the patient needs to be well-informed so they can hopefully experience less anxiety and allow them to make educated choices about their care. He stated the patient should be the “Captain of the Ship” and the health team the crew that helps them get to where they want to go.

We talked about the importance of getting 2nd and even 3rd opinions when facing life-changing illnesses such as cancer. Chad shared that it is vital to do so before engaging in treatments that cannot be undone. Given the political and personal alliances that can be present in a given hospital ecosystem, it is wise to seek 2nd opinions in hospitals or systems that are outside that of the primary physician to allow for likelihood of a more objective opinion.

Special Guest:

Dr. Chad Levitt, MD, of Radiotherapy Associates of Forsyth

American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente

January 8, 2015 by angishields

Health Connect South

American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente

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American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente

A Note From the Host: Thank you! for listening to our inaugural show with Health Connect South. We are excited to provide a media outlet to supplement the efforts of the organization to move healthcare outcomes forward in our community. We were pleased to bring these experts together for what turned out to be an excellent discussion on efforts to improve outcomes for cancer patients. I was disappointed to learn in post-production that there was a technical problem that created a level of feedback over the recording of the broadcast. We are not satisfied with anything less than excellent sound quality for our content. That said, please forgive the presence of static that found its way into the recording and take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about what these important experts are working to achieve, and what resources would help them achieve larger success sooner. And be sure to tune in next week for what will be a great live show and subsequent podcast (sans technology gremlins). ~CW Hall

According to statistics from cancer.org, cancer is currently the #2 cause of death in the US. We know that cancer occurrence is greatest among persons over 40 years of age. As the proportion of persons over 40 grows more rapidly, cancer will become the #1 cause of death statistically, surpassing heart disease. While these facts are concerning, there are reasons to feel encouraged. Since 1991, the overall death rate due to cancer has decreased by 22%, translating to over 1.5 million lives saved. Recent statistics show this trend is continuing. But we obviously have work to do.

For our first episode Diana Keough of ShareWIK Media Group and I sat down with experts from American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente to talk about efforts to reduce cancer rates of occurrence and improve outcomes for those who become cancer patients. Dr. Len Lichtenfeld is Deputy Chief Medical Director for American Cancer Society. He shared information about the over-arching goals of American Cancer Society and key areas of focus. We also talked about some areas of need that if bolstered, could advance cancer awareness and outcomes. Dr. Lichtenfeld spoke about the fact that an area that could help improve cancer outcomes is in continued improvements in awareness of (and use of) screening measures, particularly among at-risk women and areas with limited access to care to facilitate earlier detection and intervention.

Nancy Paris shared how GeorgiaCORE is focused on amplifying national efforts with a state-level focus to curb cancer rates and improve outcomes for cancer patients and quality of life for survivors in Georgia. This unique health initiative is a public-private partnership that provides a collecting point for information regarding available care resources for active cancer patients and survivors. The organization also provides a listing of ongoing clinical trials that a patient may be able to participate in to fight their cancer while advancing science for new evidence-based treatment approaches. When the organization began to look into available clinical trials they identified 82. That number has grown to over 650. Nancy said, “The number of trials isn’t the whole measure of their value. But cancer is a multifaceted disease, in fact more than one disease. . .So we have to have a number of trials to reach different types of cancers, different age groups. . .That means a patient may be eligible for a new treatment.” She talked about how GeorgiaCORE supports active research in the state and helps link patients with trials that could potentially help them.

Dr. Bindu Lingam is an oncologist with Southeast Permanente Medical Group who has a passion for clinical research in the field of oncology in addition to providing high quality care to patients. She shared information about Kaiser Permanente, including the fact that they currently care for over 9 million members across the country. Dr. Lingam talked about how physicians guide the care of patients and how health and research data is able to be shared across their network to improve outcomes for all due to a system-wide electronic medical record. She described how the organization is able to facilitate best practices and research efforts across their network by sharing data from locations around the country. “We have a rich network of information to draw from. And we feel like we draw that network here to Georgia and Atlanta to capitalize on that.”

Special Guests:

Dr. Len Licthenfeld, MD, MACP, Deputy Chief Medical Director of American Cancer Society

Doctorate of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Member, Alpha Omega Alpha, Honor Medical Society
Board Certified, Oncology
Over 4 decades of involvement in cancer care

Nancy Paris, President of GeorgiaCORE

Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Georgia Health Foundation
Former Vice President, Georgia Cancer Coalition
Former Vice President, Georgia Baptist Health Care System
MS, Health Policy and Administration, Mercer University

Dr. Bindu Lingam, MD, of Southeast Permanente Medical Group

Doctorate of Medicine, Meharry Medical College
Fellowship, Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
Recipient, 2014 Community Benefit Award, Kaiser Permanente Georgia Region
Recipient, Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award- NIH Training Grant

Samantha Shams, MD, Piedmont Cancer Institute

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 494)

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Dr. Mark McLaughlin and Shannon Ross, Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 479)

Dr. Mark McLaughlin, Radiation Oncologist, Wellstar Radiation Oncology

Shannon Ross, Director of Oncology Services, Wellstar Health System

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Radiation Oncology – Top Docs Radio

Radiation Oncology

American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente

American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente

Our Mission

Sponsor a Show

Partner With Us

Connect with us

Samantha Shams, MD, Piedmont Cancer Institute (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 494)

Samantha Shams, MD, Medical Oncologist, Piedmont Cancer Institute

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Dr. Mark McLaughlin and Shannon Ross, Wellstar North Fulton Cancer Center (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 479)

Wellstar Cancer Care

Dr. Mark McLaughlin, Radiation Oncologist, Wellstar Radiation Oncology

Shannon Ross, Director of Oncology Services, Wellstar Health System

Questions and Topics in this Interview:

Radiation Oncology

American Cancer Society, GeorgiaCORE, and Kaiser Permanente

Our Mission

Sponsor a Show

Partner With Us

Connect with us

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 494)

North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 479)