Your Healthcare Team

The Cancer Center takes a multidisciplinary team approach to cancer care. It typically involves a surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist and several additional doctors, along with a nurse and social worker. All bring their expertise and are involved in every stage of your care for optimal treatment and recovery. You and your family members will collaborate with the healthcare team to find the best solution during your care.

Surgeons
Surgeons evaluate the best surgical options for your type and stage of cancer. Our surgical oncologists are experts in the type of cancer they treat. For example, surgery for liver cancer is performed by a surgical oncologist experienced in liver and hepatobiliary cancers.

Medical Oncologists
Medical Oncologists are specialists by cancer type. They evaluate the best course of treatment for you regarding chemotherapy, immunotherapy or biologic therapy.

Radiation Oncologists
Radiation Oncologists are experts in treating cancer with targeted and focused radiation and creating an individualized composite treatment plan based on your individual need.

Radiologists
Radiologists are experts in diagnostic imaging. Their role is in initial cancer diagnosis, treatment planning, interventional radiologic procedures and palliative therapies.

Pediatric Hematologists/Oncologists
Pediatric Hematologists/Oncologists are specialists in childhood and young adult cancers and blood disorders.

Pathologists
Pathologists are specialists by cancer type and examine tissue under a microscope and perform other tests as needed to provide a cancer diagnosis.

Expert Oncology Nursing Team

There may be many nurses and nursing staff members involved in your care. The nursing staff works closely with the medical staff and other members of the healthcare team. The nursing team includes the nurse manager, nurse clinicians, nurse specialists, nurse educators and medical assistants.

Nurse Managers
Nurse managers are responsible for the supervision of the nursing staff.

Nurse Specialists
Nurse specialists have advanced training in a specific nursing specialty and are responsible for assuring that quality care is received by patients.

Nurse Educators
Nurse educators provide education and training to nursing staff.

Nurse Practitioners
Nurse practitioners are advanced practice registered nurses who can perform examinations, prescribe medications and provide treatment.

Nurse Clinicians
Nurse clinicians are the nurses who are responsible for operational management of a unit during a particular shift.

Registered Nurses
A registered nurse plans and coordinates your overall nursing care and assigns tasks to other members of the nursing team such as medical assistants.

Navigators/Nurse Coordinators
Navigators/Nurse coordinators are your first point of contact and will help coordinate appointments, answer questions and guide you through your treatment.

Medical Assistants and Nursing Assistants
Medical assistants and nursing assistants are certified in their role and take medical histories, record vital signs and may help with administrative tasks.

Additional Medical Staff

Your doctor, who is on the faculty of the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, manages your patient care team. Several additional doctors may be involved in your care, as well as other staff members:

Physician Assistants
Physician assistants are healthcare practitioners who participate in your care.

Fellows
Fellows are fully credentialed physicians who have completed their residency and elect to complete further training in a subspecialty fellowship.

Residents
Residents are physicians undergoing training to become board certified in a specialty, such as pediatrics or oncology.