The medical team for St. Lawrence Health’s Center for Cancer Care, from the left, are Radiation Oncologist David Hauerstock, MD; Nikita Goliber, NP; Medical Director of Oncology Velmalia Matthews-Smith, MD; and Oncologist/Hematologist Vetta Higgs, MD. Submitted Photo.
POTSDAM – The fully staffed medical team at St. Lawrence Health’s (SLH) Center for Cancer Care at Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) is prepared to assist each of their patients on an individualized basis throughout their cancer treatment, and beyond.
Radiation Oncologist David Hauerstock, MD; Oncologist/Hematologist Vetta Higgs, MD; Nikita Goliber, NP; and Medical Director of Oncology Velmalia Matthews-Smith, MD; work alongside the Center’s pharmacists, nurses, technical staff, nurse navigator, and the comprehensive collection of specialists from throughout SLH.
“Our dedicated team at the Center for Cancer Care collaborate to ensure patients get the best possible care, which includes the latest drugs and cutting-edge medical technology that are tailored to meet each patient’s treatment needs,” noted CPH Director of Oncology Kay Zimmer. “It is big-city medicine, delivered with a small-town touch.”
The Center utilizes several types of diagnostic and screening tools to watch for and diagnose cancer. It offers imaging, pathology, chemotherapy, and advanced radiation therapies from CPH’s American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) certified Radiation Oncology Department.
Chemotherapy drugs are usually administered intravenously, yet other options include pill, cream or lotion, or injection format.
“Chemotherapy can be extremely effective, and may result in difficult side effects. Our team works to mitigate those symptoms while our patients undergo their treatment so we can ensure they have the best possible outcome,” Medical Director of Oncology Dr. Matthews-Smith said.
If patients are treated by an oncology specialist outside St. Lawrence Health, they have the option to have their…
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