Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC
Learning that you have cancer is a frightening moment for anyone. Finding people who can help you deal with the diagnosis can make all the difference. Fortunately for Alaskans, almost all of the needed skills and technologies are here, right now, today. As a medical oncologist who has been taking care of patients with cancer in Anchorage since 1985, I am proud of the progress that has been made in not only the research arena, but in making those advances available to Alaskans, so that they don’t have to travel outside of Alaska. Traveling outside Alaska can be a major disruption for the patient, their family and most likely, their livelihood.
There are now more than 100 anti-cancer drugs available, and more in the pipeline. The emphasis now in new drug development is on so-called targeted agents which interfere with metabolic pathways that cancer cells depend on. One of those agents, just released a few months ago, sorafenib, was available for patients with kidney cancer through a clinical trial at Alaska Regional Hospital long before it became widely available.
Cancer care requires a team approach. In Anchorage we have a large community of medical professionals including surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, gynecological oncologist, pediatric oncologist, oncology nurses, social workers and therapists. Anchorage is fortunate to have two radiation therapy facilities, one at Providence and one at Alaska Regional Hospital.
As part of our commitment to excellence in oncology care, all health professionals involved in the treatment of cancer patients come together more than once a week, just to go over patient care challenges. This allows us to seek input from our colleagues, review imaging with radiology doctors, and biopsies with pathologists. The interaction permits good communication as well as sharing ideas which leads to better plans of care. Weekly conferences are rotated among the non-military hospitals.
We are pleased to have oncology experts from major outside institutions come to our city to update us on the latest cancer care advances and treatments.
There may always be a need to go outside of Alaska to a major academic cancer center for some patients. They may have special kinds of cancer which require treatment at such a specialized hospital, including those with acute leukemia, or sarcoma. Others may desire a second opinion, or need highly complex surgery. For the vast majority of cancer patients, I am glad to say that the treatments they need are right here in Anchorage.
Taking care of patients with cancer requires will and commitment, not bricks and mortar. We will continue our efforts to provide people in this state the highest level of cancer care.
Our office, Alaska Oncology and Hematology is located here in Anchorage at Alaska Regional Hospital campus. We have three medical oncologists, Dr. Verneeda Spencer, Dr. Max Rabinowitz and myself. We also have a physician’s assistant, Zach Zipsir, PA-C. We are all dedicated to the care of cancer patients along with our invaluable staff of oncology nurses, certified medical assistants and administrative staff.
Our mission is dedicated to compassionate care of individuals and their families impacted by the diagnosis of cancer and blood disorders. Our focus is to treat each patient as an individual, working as a united multidisciplinary team to meet their needs. Preserving dignity and maintaining quality of life is of utmost importance. This goal is achieved through education, medical interventions, coordinating use of community cancer resources and utilizing available research trials.
There are many cancer study trials available to patients in Alaska through three facilities at Alaska Regional Hospital, Alaska Cancer Research and Educational Center and Providence Hospital. Each facility has their own research nurse who dedicates all their time to patient research projects and the care and coordinator of available resources.
This article is sponsored by Alaska Open Imaging Center. Alaska Open Imaging Center is proud to partner with physicians in the community that are making a difference in the lives of patients.
Alaska Open Imaging Center operates facilities in Anchorage, Wasilla, Soldotna and Fairbanks. Services in Positron Emission Tomography, MRI (High field and open), CT, Ultrasound, X-Ray and Bone Density testing. For more information, call 907-330-1220 or visit online at www.alaskaopen.com
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