Physician Descriptions

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The following is a list of some of the doctors and caregivers you will see during your hospital stay or visit.

Audiologist: A specially trained person who tests hearing ability.

Breast Prosthetic Consultant: A specially trained individual who helps find the appropriate product or garment for each individual mastectomy patient.

Dietitian: A specially trained person who teaches people about healthy eating and orders special diets to improve health.

Gastroenterologist: A doctor who specializes in the health of the stomach and intestines.

Genetic Counselor: A specially trained person who provides information to families about genetically inherited health problems.

Gynecologic Oncologist: A gynecologic oncologist is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology who by virtue of education and training is prepared to provide comprehensive management of patients with gynecologic cancer include the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures necessary for the total care of the patient with gynecologic cancer. Gynecologic oncologists are also involved in research studies and clinical trials that are aimed at finding more effective treatments to further advance the treatment of gynecologic cancer and improve cure rates. Read more about a gynecologic oncologist.

Massage Therapist: A licensed healthcare professional who specializes in massage therapy with an objective of improving the daily quality of life for patients with cancer through non-pharmacological symptom management and guided relaxation.

Medical Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treating cancer with appropriate chemotherapy and overseeing the administration of chemotherapy.

Medical Student: A student who has passed college and is learning to be a doctor. He must always be supervised by residents or doctors while learning.

Neurosurgeon: A doctor who specializes in the treatment and management of brain and spine malignancies.

Nurse Practitioner: A registered nurse (RN) who has completed extra education and passed certification to take care of people in all areas of medicine. Nurse practitioners can manage healthcare, prescribe medicines and perform procedures similar to those that doctors perform.

Nutritionist: A specially trained person who teaches people about healthy eating and orders special diets to improve health—especially while on chemotherapy and/or radiation.

Occupational Therapist: An occupational therapist focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life, function and activities of daily living.

Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in cancer treatment.

Oncology Nurse: A nurse who specializes in the care of cancer patients, including administration of chemotherapy and supportive therapies, a liaison between the physician, patient/family and other hospital departments, maintaining and continually updating knowledge of new treatments and technologies, management of possible side effects and supporting the patient and family through education.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: A doctor who specializes in surgery and management of head and neck cancers.

Pastoral Care: Professional chaplains who specialize in non-denominational support to cancer patients and their families by assisting people in making use of their own spiritual resources.

Pharmacist (Oncology): A specially trained person who fills chemotherapy prescriptions and teaches patients about medications.

Physical Therapist: A specially trained person who provides care for people by prevention of and treatment for the ability to move and function. Also, this person is trained to treat lymphedema issues that could arise following cancer surgeries.

Pulmonologist: A doctor who specializes in lung problems.

Radiation Oncologist: A doctor who has advanced training and experience in treatment of cancer patients with radiation.

Radiologist: A doctor who specializes in X-ray procedures and treatment using radioactive materials.

Resident: A doctor who is learning about a specialty area of medicine. These doctors are at different levels in school and have an experienced doctor that supervises their training until they graduate.

Social Worker: A specially trained person who provides emotional support and assistance to patients and families with hospital and community services.

Speech-Language Pathologist: A speech-language pathologist assists individuals in achieving optimal communication and swallowing through evaluation and treatment of speech, language, cognitive, voice and swallowing disorders.

Surgical Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in cancer surgeries—breast, GI tract (stomach, colon, rectum), melanoma, soft tissue sarcoma, pancreas and thyroid.

Thoracic Surgeon: A doctor who specializes in cancer surgeries of the chest (lung and esophagus).

Urologic Oncologist: A doctor who specializes in treatment and surgeries of cancer in the urinary system (kidney, bladder and prostate).