Cardiologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Chiropractor providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dentist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dermatologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Family Physician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
OB-GYN providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Ophthalmologist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Orthopedic Surgeon providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Pediatrician providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Physical Therapist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Podiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Psychiatrist providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. They often maintain long-term relationships with you and advise and treat you on a range of health related issues.
Dr. Nagaiah received his medical degree from MGR Medical University in India and has been in practice for more than 20 years. His residency and internship were completed at Mercy Catholic Medical Center in Pennsylvania, and he completed a fellowship at West Virginia University. He earned a Masters in Clinical Research from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. Dr. Nagaiah has expertise in treating lymphoma, lung cancer, and breast cancer, among other conditions.
PHILOSOPHY
I believe that being an oncologist is a privilege that is not to be taken lightly. I strive to provide evidence-based care that is appropriate to my patients’ particular problem, recognizing and respecting individual patient’s wishes. I take a multidisciplinary approach to care, including alternative therapies that have been shown to be effective.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Nagaiah G, Hossain A, Mooney CJ, Parmentier J, Remick SC. Anaplastic thyroid cancer: A review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment. J Oncol.2011;2011:542358. 2. Batalo M, Nagaiah G, Abraham J. Cognitive dysfunction in postmenopausal breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther.2011;11(8):1277-1282. 3. Nagaiah G, Remick SC. Combretastatin A4 phosphate: A novel vascular disrupting agent. Future Oncol. 2010;6(8):1219-1228 4. Mooney CJ, Nagaiah G, Fu P, et al. A phase II trial of fosbretabulin in advanced anaplastic thyroid carcinoma and correlation of baseline serum-soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 with outcome. Thyroid. 2009;19(3):233-240. 5. Nagaiah G, Almubarak M, Khan M, Altaha R. Cerebrospinal fluid leak during treatment with bevacizumab and irinotecan after carmustine-impregnated wafers placement in patients with grade 2 oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma multiforme: Report of two cases and review of literature. Cancer Invest. 2010;28(10):1048-1053
Dr. Scott P. Tannehill is Board Certified in Radiation Oncology with over two decades of clinical experience. He has been in practice in Arizona since 2008 and was a co-founder of Arizona Breast Cancer Specialists and Arizona Radiation Oncology Specialists, both of which joined Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2012.
Dr. Tannehill earned his medical degree and specialty training at the University of Wisconsin. He has held faculty positions at several top-tier universities, including the University of Wisconsin, the University of Florida, and the University of Arizona. He was Chair of the Oncology Curriculum for the University of Wisconsin for several years. He worked a sabbatical year at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Melbourne, Australia before moving to Arizona and joining the faculty at the University of Arizona - Tucson, where he served as the Program Director for the Radiation Oncology Residency. Dr. Tannehill continues to hold the academic title of Clinical Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology with the University of Arizona and continues to educate medical trainees.
Dr. Tannehill has extensive clinical expertise in brachytherapy, Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), and LUTATHERA. He has been invited to present on his techniques and experience both nationally and internationally. His research interests include treatment techniques for breast cancer, brachytherapy for breast and other cancers, and participation in cooperative group clinical research.
Dr. Tannehill is a member of the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. He is board certified in Radiation Oncology by the American Board of Radiology.
Dr. Tannehill is a multi-year “Top Doc” honoree by Phoenix Magazine and has been named among the “Best Doctors in America” by Best Doctors, Inc since 2003.
"Dr. Scott Tannehill, MD was not only professional, he was kind, caring and made the process that much easier. His staff was kind and caring and they are all very efficient and helpful. I would recommend Dr. Tannehill to anyone!" -Nancy
"Dr. Tannehill is the best doctor I have ever meet. He’s very professional and informative he makes me feel very comfortable to express my problems." -Khlem
Dr. Gerald Lucas is board certified in Radiation Oncology, and a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American Brachytherapy Society, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. After completing medical school at Indiana University, and his residency at University of Southern California, he established his practice in 1992 at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. Dr. Lucas served as the Medical Director of Radiation Oncology services at Good Samaritan until he joined Arizona Oncology in 2008. He practiced there for over a decade prior to joining Arizona Center for Cancer Care.
Dr. Lucas has extensive experience with the utilization of advanced technologies, including image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and brachytherapy. In addition, he is highly skilled and has extensive experience with brachytherapy for the treatment of gynecologic and breast diseases, including accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). In addition, Dr. Lucas has a special interest in the treatment of prostate, lung, and colorectal tumors, as well as brain tumors and sarcomas. Dr. Lucas is a published writer and speaker on various radiation topics.
"My experience with Dr. Lucas has been excellent. He is willing to spend whatever amount of time you need to fully understand your situation and what options may be available to you. He also went to bat for me with my insurance provider when they initially refused to pay for a particular procedure. He convinced them that it was totally necessary, and they then agreed to cover it. Also, his staff is first class. The whole office has been a joy to work with. Thank you!!" -Gary
"I was recommended to Dr Lucas, MD from my Urologist. Dr Lucas was very professional and spent the appropriate time to make sure I understood all my options and answered all my questions." -Michael
Dr. Abhimanyu Ghose clinical interests include treating patients with all types of cancer, including lung, gastrointestinal, breast, genitourinary (bladder, prostate, renal), skin, myeloma, lymphomas, and other blood disorders. Dr. Ghose has more than 25 published peer reviewed articles in field of oncology and has presented at national and international conferences.
Dr. Ghose believes in treating his patients with the same level of respect and compassion he would offer to his family members. He is a strong advocate for his patients. His approach is individualized to each patient because each patient’s condition and situation in life is unique.
In his free time, Dr. Ghose enjoys spending time with his family, dining out, hiking, and traveling. He is also an avid tennis player.
"I have been treating with Dr. Abhimanyu Ghose since my diagnosis in December of 2018. I was diagnosed with Stage IV, Non Small Cell Lung cancer. I began treatment March of 2019 with chemotherapy and Keytruda. After completing chemotherapy I have remained on Keytruda since the beginning. I have been in remission for over a year and my CT scans continue to confirm no evidence of disease. I trust Dr. Ghose and his team to continue to make the best treatment plans possible for me. I also believe Keytruda has been a life saver for me! I continue to have infusions every 3 weeks with little to no adverse reactions. I am grateful to have Dr. Ghose and the infusion nurses taking care of me." -Nancy
"Have had wonderful care by Dr. Ghose thru my cancer treatment and follow ups for last 4 years. He is attentive and caring and positive. Easy to understand his explanations and thorough. Office experiences always efficient." -Jeff
Dr. Starr (Friedman) Eads is a board-certified General Surgeon who joined Arizona Premier Surgery in the summer of 2019. Originally from West Bloomfield, Michigan, she attended the University of Michigan where she majored in English and graduated with a BA and high honors for her undergraduate thesis. She then obtained her MD from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. While Dr. Eads was in medical school, many of her close family members relocated to Arizona, but she remained in the South for another 5 years after graduation for residency training. She completed her residency in General Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. During this time, she met her now-husband, Danny Eads, who was training in Cardiothoracic Surgery. They were both fortunate to find positions with busy practices and great partners close to Dr. Eads’ family, and they are grateful for the opportunity to serve the Scottsdale and East Valley areas.
Dr. Eads’ practice focuses on minimally invasive surgery, with growing expertise in both the robotic Da Vinci and laparoscopic platforms. She is also skilled in traditional open surgical techniques. Her clinical interests include surgery for the gallbladder, upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders, groin hernias, abdominal wall hernias, and skin/soft tissue lesion removal. Providing excellent patient care is her top priority. She is dedicated to continuing to expand her knowledge base and learn new techniques to optimize her patients’ experience. Dr. Eads believes in a team approach to patient care, and that patients and their families are an important part of this team. She tries to always take the time to listen to the concerns of her patients and strives for her patients to consistently feel like they understand and are in control of the plan.
Dr. Eads’ interests include hiking, live music, co-hosting crawfish boils, eating food cooked by other people, and all things New Orleans. She likes to spend her spare time with friends and family whenever possible. She and the other Dr. Eads are proud parents of their French bulldog, Barkley, and they enjoy bringing him on their adventures.
Dr. Daniel Richard Reed specializes in radiation oncology, with a focus on breast and prostate cancers.
Dr. Reed co-founded Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2008 with Drs. Devinder Singh, Christopher Biggs and Terry Lee. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biology from Western Kentucky University. He attended medical school at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his internship at Doctors Hospital Ohio University and his residency at the University of Washington Medical Center, where he would eventually serve as Chief Resident and in 2002 earned the National Research Award in radiation oncology for his work in breast cancer treatment. He also served as the Seattle Prostate Institute/American Brachytherapy Society Prostate fellowship coordinator for several years.
In 2007, he authored the National Treatment Guidelines of the American College of Radiology for Prostate Cancer Radiation Therapy and the book chapter on Skull-based tumors in The Textbook of Radiation Oncology (2nd edition). He has also served as a scientific reviewer for the International Journal of Radiation Oncology and national representative of the American Brachytherapy Society.
Dr. Reed is certified by the American Board of Radiology and is a Diplomat of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology. He is a current or past member of the American Brachytherapy Society, American Radium Society, American Radiology Resident Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Medical Association and American Osteopathic Association, among others.
Dr. Reed is a multi-year “Top Doc” honoree by Phoenix Magazine and has over 70 combined 5-star reviews from happy patients.
"All the Staff are knowledgeable , understanding and cooperative accommodating to all of our needs." -Mike
"Dr. Reed and all of his staff were exceptionally professional and very friendly and helpful. Dr. Reed made sure I was receiving the best care for my issue and my final tests after treatment showed a great improvement. I highly recommend this Doctor and this facility." -Richard
Dr. Pepple joined Arizona Premier Surgery in 2017. He is Board Certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery. Transitioning from a large academic center, he brings with him years of experience in the management of some of the most complex surgical patients.
Patient care is deeply personal to him, and as such, he possesses an unyielding dedication to those who entrust him with their care. He will work with each patient to provide a wide range of surgical treatment options, and when appropriate, non-surgical options. He firmly believes that a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care provides optimal results. His clinical interests include benign and malignant hepatobiliary surgery, minimally invasive/robotic surgery, and skin malignancies (melanoma). In addition, he performs a broad range of general surgery, including excising/resecting skin lesions (cysts, squamous cell, melanoma), and dialysis surgery.
"Dr. Pepple is held in really high regard in the medical community and I can see why. As a nurse practitioner, I asked a bunch of people who they recommend for general surgery and Dr pepple was always the top pick within the Honor Health network. A friend even spoke to an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic who said my husband was in Great hands with Dr. Pepple. He removed cancer from my husband and although he deals with much more devastating cancers than what my husband had, he was genuine, kind and patient. He spent time explaining everything to us. I would go to him if I ever needed a general surgeon. Thank you for everything you have done for us. You do great work and it was easy to trust you. There is always hope and people are good, especially you. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you." -Jamie
"Dr Pepples operated on my husband in march 2023 for a huge groin hernia and he had some other serious complications. Another surgeon wouldn’t even operate because of the complications & his age. Dr Peeples agreed to do and he did an excellent job. He & the staff are super professional and caring. He’s an excellent surgeon." -Linda
Dr. Michele Sazama is a board-certified adult nurse practitioner with extensive clinical experience, including over twenty years working with oncology patients. She holds national specialty certifications as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP) and Board-Certified Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS).
Dr. Sazama was an instructor for Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing for many years and continues to serve as adjunct faculty for the Arizona State University nursing program. She created and directed a formal clinical rotation in oncology for graduate and doctoral nursing candidates, helping Arizona students develop their ability to safely care for oncology patients.
Dr. Sazama practices evidence-based medicine with a holistic focus and respect for individual choice.
Her clinical interests include psychoneuroimmunology, stress response, coping mechanisms, biofeedback, culturally diverse healing modalities, metaphysical science, meditation, and neuroplasticity.
Dr. Modasi is a highly trained minimally invasive and robotic surgeon with subspecialty expertise in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. He has been published and cited in numerous journals internationally and has given talks to surgeons from across the world.
During his training Dr. Modasi won several awards for his technical abilities in laparoscopy and was ranked amongst the highest trainees across the country academically. He then went on to pursue fellowship training at the University of Alberta focusing on Minimally Invasive Surgery and Bariatric Surgery, followed by a second fellowship in Robotic and Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) Surgery at AdventHealth Tampa.
Dr. Modasi specializes in using minimally invasive approaches to treat patients, resulting in less pain and quicker recovery. He has expertise in advanced laparoscopy and the da Vinci robotic system, and utilizes these modalities whenever possible to improve the care of his patients. His clinical interests include hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, gastric surgery, anti-reflux surgery and hiatal hernia surgery. He also performs a broad range of general surgery including colon surgery, hernia surgery, and gallbladder surgery. He is a strong believer in tailored patient care, taking time with each of his patients to listen to their story to identify a care plan that best suits their needs.
"Dr Modasi is very thorough in diagnosing & then explaining his care plan in “layperson” terms. He takes the time to answer questions on the procedure. Dr Modasi will do whatever he can to assure a successful procedure & recovery. I’m thankful for his help with my health issues." -Jeff
Dr. Modasi performed robotic double hernia repair (inguinal and umbilical) on me the same day. I was bracing myself, expecting a lot of pain and suffering and that never materialized. I had very little pain and no problem getting up and around or walking. which was a concern since I live alone. Even right after the surgery, I felt pretty normal and hardly needed pain meds at all. Dr Modasi's results speak for themselves and he obviously took care to repair things and do as little incision damage as possible. Dr Modasi is an very skilled surgeon and I can not say enogh good about him. Take it from and old man, this guy knows his stuff...and he has a great bedside manor as well." -CW
Robin is a certified nurse practitioner at the Arizona Center for Cancer Care, working alongside Dr. Parmjeet Banghar. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ameritech College of Nursing in Draper, Utah, and completed her Master of Nursing at Grand Canyon University, as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, with an emphasis on Adult Gerontology.
Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, Robin worked as a registered nurse for Virginia G. Piper Cancer Care. Having extensive experience working in oncology/hematology, she understands the importance of providing a patient-centered approach. Robin is passionate about providing individualized treatment plans and promoting patient advocacy.
In her spare time, Robin enjoys spending time with her family. Shehas three adult children, two boys, Gabriel and Rowan, and one daughter Baylee. She also has an Aussiedoodle, named Bajie. She loves to travel, explore the outdoors, and on occasion play a round of golf.
Arizona Center for Cancer Care is a cancer center without walls, offering the best doctors, best treatments, best technologies, and best research to give patients the best care possible. With offices in Avondale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Surprise, Anthem, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Wickenburg, Apache Junction, Sun City, Sun City West, Goodyear, Prescott Valley, and Tempe, Arizona, the multi-specialty practice cares for more than 30,000 patients across the Valley.
The practice uses the most current treatment options available, including various forms of radiation oncology and medical oncology, and hematology. The center also includes experts in gynecologic oncology and breast surgery and has a newly diagnosed breast cancer clinic.
The board-certified radiation oncologists at Arizona Center for Cancer Care use positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging to reveal the presence and severity of cancer and create an effective treatment plan.
Dedicated to providing its patients with the most current drugs and therapies available, Arizona Center for Cancer Care participates in multiple clinical trials.
Cancer is a disease of survivors, and Arizona Center for Cancer Care is keeping it that way.
For comprehensive, high-quality cancer care, call Arizona Center for Cancer Care or schedule an appointment online today. Telemedicine appointments are available.
Dr. Albert Amini is the founder and President of Arizona Premier Surgery as well as a board-certified General Surgeon with fellowship training in minimally invasive surgery for the liver, pancreas, and bile ducts. After earning his medical degree from Northwestern and completing his surgical internship and residency, Dr. Amini spent an additional year learning about hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, along with how to use modern technology to perform effective, minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Amini is board certified by the American College of Surgeons and he is also a member of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA). In addition to a full schedule of patients at Arizona Premier Surgery, Dr. Amini travels abroad to perform surgeries on underserved patients in the Dominican Republic, which has improved his fluency in Spanish.
Dr. Amini has a special interest in pancreas surgery, gastrointestinal (GI) oncology and complex hernia repairs. At Arizona Premier Surgery, some of the surgeries he performs are hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, as well as gastrointestinal oncology, and colorectal surgery. Dr. Amini has expertise in the da Vinci® robotic surgical system and advanced laparoscopic surgery. Using laparoscopic and robotic techniques, Dr. Amini is able to perform minimally invasive surgery that needs less recovery time than traditional open surgery. In most cases, the pain and discomfort after surgery is much less for patients after laparoscopic/robotic surgery. Although he has already spent many years studying and practicing surgery, Dr. Amini continues to look for techniques and technology that can improve treatment for his patients at Arizona Premier Surgery.
Karlee grew up in a small town in Southern Wisconsin and went on to attend St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where she played NCAA college soccer. After earning a degree in biomedical science with magna cum laude honors, she pursued her passion for medicine by obtaining a Physician Assistant degree from Northern Arizona University. During her time at Northern Arizona University she was an Arizona Area Health Education Center Scholar, engaging in a comprehensive two year interprofessional program that focused on preparing healthcare professionals for practice in underserved communities. This experience combined hands-on clinical training with community based learning, fostering a deep understanding of diverse patient needs.
Outside of work she enjoys reading, running, yoga, and spending quality time with family. Her commitment to ongoing learning and staying current with the latest medical advancements ensures that she is always equipped to deliver high quality care to her patients.
Janice is a dedicated hematology/oncology nurse practitioner who collaborates closely with physicians and other healthcare team members to deliver comprehensive care, offering unwavering support to patients and caregivers during treatment and beyond. With over 12 years of experience as a hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant nurse, Janice has worked with medically complex neonates, pediatrics, and adults in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree from the University of Phoenix and is nationally certified as a Nurse Practitioner by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Passionate about patient advocacy and education, Janice seeks to empower patients by listening to their health needs and goals and working in partnership with them and their families to manage their health effectively.
Rezwan Chowdhury, MD is dual board certified by the American Board of Radiology, and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada), in Radiation Oncology. He completed his residency and Medical Doctorate at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has a special interest in breast cancer, lung cancer, SBRT, brachytherapy, PLUVICTO, LUTATHERA, and treats all tumor sites.
Dr. Chowdhury is fellowship trained in brachytherapy, including all modalities of breast brachytherapy. He has specialized training and is experienced in treating lung cancer, brain metastases and oligo-metastases using SBRT/SRS techniques. Dr. Chowdhury has over 5 years of clinical academic experience at the University of British Columbia/BC Cancer Agency, where he was a clinical instructor to medical students, residents and fellows and served as the Chair of the SBRT program, thoracic tumor site and breast brachytherapy program. Dr Chowdhury has extensive research experience and has published his findings and presented to other specialty physicians around the world.
Dr. Chowdhury joined Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2021 and has been treating patients throughout the Phoenix metro area for nearly a decade. Dr. Chowdhury believes in using evidenced based medicine, and a compassionate approach that places an emphasis on his patient’s individual needs and desires.
"Very knowledgeable and very good with patients, taking time to fully inform about options." -Ed
"Dr. Chowdhury explains all procedures and treatments thoroughly and takes time to answer any questions the patient may have prior and during treatment." -Ralph
Dr. Giraldo Kato specializes in medical oncology and hematology and has a special interest in breast cancer. His research interests include new breast cancer therapies as well as gastrointestinal and thoracic malignancies.
Dr. Kato joined Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2013, when his team at Pinnacle Oncology Hematology partnered with the practice. Prior to joining Pinnacle Oncology, Dr. Kato served as chief of hematology/oncology at Maricopa Medical Center. He is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Medical Association and The American Society of Hematology. He is certified by the Medical Oncology Board and American Board of Internal Medicine.
"Dr Kato’s oncology expertise is a gift to his patients!! Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2016, I saw Dr Kato after meeting with several medical oncologists. I remember that appointment to this day. Not only did Dr Kato share his clinical plan with me, he shared a copy of a recently published peer reviewed clinical study that supported his treatment plan for me. Evidence based medicine. I was fortunate to see 4 medical oncologist in a span of a week sometimes multiple times, even after hours to ensure our questions were addressed for which I am immensely thankful. In the end, prayer and faith led me to chose Dr Kato. As a triple negative breast cancer survivor, my treatments were necessarily aggressive and difficult. 5 months of Chemo therapy followed by surgery then full dose of radiation. Through it all, I had Dr Kato and his team by my side. Chemo nurses were incredible and deserve a lot of praise for the work they do..." -Mei
Dr. Sara Zakem is a board-certified radiation oncologist with expertise in the management of all cancer types using advanced techniques including brachytherapy, Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS),Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT). Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, Dr. Zakem served as chief resident of radiation oncology at the University of Colorado before beginning her career as a radiation oncologist at the University of Washington. She joined Arizona Center for Cancer Care after moving to Phoenix with her husband, a head and neck cancer surgeon, in 2023.
Dr. Zakem is an active member of the radiation oncology community, serving on the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Early Career Committee and the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) New Practitioner and Communications Committees. As a resident, she additionally served as the Communications Chair for the Society for Women in Radiation Oncology (SWRO) and was elected to the Gold Humanism Honor Society by her colleagues for her commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on esophageal, pancreatic, gynecologic, and head and neck cancers.
Having been personally touched by cancer, Dr. Zakem recognizes that receiving a cancer diagnosis is often one of the most frightening and confusing times for a patient and their loved ones. She is dedicated to taking the time needed to help patients understand and navigate their cancer diagnoses, clearly communicating the role of radiation therapy and how it can best be used to help patients achieve their goals of care.
In her free time, Dr. Zakem enjoys spending time with her husband and two cats, live music, yoga, skiing, spending time outdoors, and rooting for her Michigan Wolverines - Go Blue!
Dr. Cory Heal is a radiation oncologist who has expertise in a full breadth of radiation oncology treatments for both malignant and benign diseases in children and adults.
Before joining Arizona Center for Cancer Care, Dr. Heal received a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University and his Medical Doctorate from Drexel University. He then completed an internship in Internal Medicine at Abington Memorial Hospital and a residency in radiation oncology at the University of Arizona, where he served as Chief Resident.
Dr. Heal specializes in the treatment of malignancies of the breast, prostate, lung, skin, head and neck, gynecological tract, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, hematologic/lymphatic systems, and musculoskeletal systems. He also treats a wide array of benign diseases that benefit from radiation. Dr. Heal utilizes the latest treatment techniques in his practice, including Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), PLUVICTO, LUTATHERA, and Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR/SBRT). Dr. Heal has additional specialized training and research interests in the use of HDR brachytherapy for several anatomic sites. His other research interests include patient safety and quality improvement.
An Arizona native who grew up in the East Valley, Dr. Heal feels privileged to serve the community he loves. He always seeks to be an advocate for his patients as he guides them through treatment. He enjoys the lasting relationships he develops with his patients and their families and feels honored to take part in their care.
Dr. Heal and his wife, Emily, have four children. Outside of medicine, Dr. Heal loves spending his free time being a dad, cooking new foods in the kitchen, and making memories with his family outdoors.
"Dr. Heal and his team were so thorough and thoughtful with explanations which reduced my anxiety and made daily radiation appointments very easy to manage!" -Wendy
"Couldn't be more satisfied with Dr. Heal. He's a wonderful person both personally and professionally, making sure to explain every aspect of the treatment for my brain cancer, as well as being an all-around good guy! I'm a lucky man." - Daniel
