Your Medical Team
At CHO, your medical care is a team effort. Our physicians, nurses, therapists, and technicians work together to bring you the best possible therapies and follow-up care. We also collaborate with your primary care physician and other specialists, as appropriate. Following are brief descriptions of the players on your CHO medical team:
Referring Physician
Whether your referring physician is your Primary Care Physician, gynecologist, internist, or surgeon, he or she plays a critical role in your overall treatment. Because communication between patient and doctor is crucial, your Commonwealth Hematology-Oncology specialists will work closely with you and your referring physician to address all your questions and concerns.Medical Oncologist
A medical oncologist is a doctor who specializes in cancer treatment. At CHO, the medical oncologists are actively involved in every aspect of your treatment, coordinating chemotherapy with other therapies, as needed. There are many different therapies available to cancer patients; your medical oncologist will inform you about all of your options and design the best course of treatment for your cancer.Radiation Oncologist
A radiation oncologist is a doctor who specializes in the use of radiation therapy to treat cancer. Your radiation oncologist knows the best type of radiation therapy for treating your cancer and will discuss your options with you before starting any course of treatment.Hematologist
A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood, bone marrow, and immune system.Nurse Practitioners
Nurse Practitioners are registered nurses who have received advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. They provide comprehensive care and support to cancer patients and are authorized to write prescriptions. Your nurse practitioner will incorporate the physical and emotional aspects of treatment into a plan of care that maximizes quality of life.Oncology Nurses
Oncology nurses are specially trained in the care of cancer patients and will administer the chemotherapy prescribed by the medical oncologist. They also will help you control pain, manage side-effects, and cope in other ways with the experience of having cancer. They'll be with you from diagnosis through treatment, providing medical and emotional support. They'll also work with your physician and other team players to provide you with the best care possible.Radiation Therapists
After a radiation oncologist has prescribed a course of treatment, the therapist administers the radiation therapy. Radiation therapists are trained, certified specialists whose primary responsibilities are to position patients for treatment and operate radiation machines. Your radiation therapist will make you as comfortable as possible during treatments.Medical Technologists
Medical technologists work in the laboratory, performing laboratory tests and quality control procedures. They have completed special training in their specialty and have passed a certifying exam for laboratory testing.Physician Assistants
Physician Assistants are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Centered on patient care, they conduct physical exams, order and interpret diagnostic tests, perform routine procedures, and write prescriptions.Patient Advocates
It's hard enough having a diagnosis of cancer, but to have to learn the ins and outs of the healthcare reimbursement system at the same time can be daunting. To help our patients deal with the financial burden of cancer, we have established a Patients Advocate program to help you save time and money. We are the area's only physician group practice to offer this service, which consists of skilled professionals being available to all our patients at no additional cost.
