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. Andrew J. Buresh specializes in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is interested in all aspects of clinical oncology and hematology, with a particular interest in gastrointestinal, breast, lung, and prostate cancer, as well as myelodysplasia, coagulation disorders, lymphoma, and myeloma.
Dr. Buresh joined Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2013 when Desert Springs Cancer Care Center, which he founded and partnered with the practice. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology and Arizona State Physicians Association.
Dr. Buresh is a multi-year “Top Doc” honoree by Phoenix Magazine and was chosen for the cover of the annual ranking magazine in 2013. He was also honored by the Phoenix Business Journal as among its “40 Top Business Leaders under Age 40.”
Dr. Buresh and his wife are blessed to be the proud parents of three beautiful children. When not caring for patients, Dr. Buresh enjoys spending his time with family, exercising, reading, playing basketball, golf, guitar, and coaching youth sports. He also speaks basic medical Spanish.
"Warm and caring in all aspects of care. He’s special in his approach and looks at the big picture. Spends a lot of time asking questions and is conservative in his approach. So glad I was referred to him and will continue to refer him to others. Don’t be afraid~ take him on your journey with you!" -Robin
Dr. Parmjeet Kumar Banghar specializes in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine. He joined Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2008 when his team at Arizona Center for Hematology and Oncology partnered with the practice.
Currently, Dr. Banghar is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and American Society of Hematology. He has participated in a research study involving cerebrovascular diseases and been published in several journals, including Leukemia Research and the Indian Journal of Medical Sciences. He has also presented on a number of topics, including sonographic evaluation of the spleen in sickle cell syndromes, lennox gastaut syndrome and sweet syndrome in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia.
"This doctor is smart and knows cancer. The staff is the best. My nurses who give me shots are the best! Highly reccomend this office." -Lina
"I have been Dr. Banghar's patient since 2019 and just found out I could give him a review. Wish I had been told this before. He is an excellent provider. He has made me feel confident about my treatment which I think has/had a tremendous amount of impact on my care and the outcome. I would recommend him and the facility in a heart beat." -Felicia
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
Dr. Jeans is an Arizona native who returned to join the Arizona Center for Cancer Care in 2022 and is excited to be serving the patients of her hometown. She is highly skilled in the most modern treatment techniques and well-versed in utilizing the most up-to-date data to increase cure rates and minimize side effects of treatment.
She was awarded the highest honor from the Mayo Clinic; the Mayo Brothers Distinguished Fellowship Award, due to outstanding clinical performance, humanitarianism, and scholarly activity. She has held innumerable national leadership roles including chair of Society of Women in Radiation Oncology, board member of the Radiation Oncology Education Group, and board member for the infamous American Medical Women’s Association.
Additionally, Dr. Jeans has also opened multiple prospective studies utilizing novel radiotherapy techniques and authored countless papers and textbooks making her an early leader in the field.
In her spare time, Dr. Jeans enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and her immediate and extended family, located throughout the Valley. She enjoys travelling and hiking. Prior to medicine, she was a Physics and Chemistry High School Teacher in inner-city Chicago.
Apart from providing excellent, highly technical care, she is passionate about building patient relationships and helping patients navigate the cancer care journey.
"Dr. Jeans is an outstanding physician who provides knowledgeable and professional healthcare to her patients and demonstrates sincere concern, care, and excellent communication with her patients. What a privilege to have such a wonderful caretaker." -John
"Dr. Jeans was everything I needed during my treatment. She was transparent and explained the situation, treatment options and plan very well. She has maybe the best demeanor and attentiveness of any doctor I have had. Her staff was always friendly and helpful. Thanks Dr. Jeans and staff!" -Scott
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. DiPasquale is a specialized breast surgeon with expertise in treating both malignant and benign breast diseases. Her passion lies in advanced oncoplastic reconstructive surgery, where she combines oncological principles with plastic surgery techniques. She strives to ensure excellent oncological outcomes while also prioritizing cosmetic results and patient satisfaction.
Originally from the east coast of Canada, Dr. DiPasquale completed her medical training at Dalhousie University. Following this, she pursued her General Surgery Residency at the University of Alberta. During her residency, she also earned a Master of Science degree at the prestigious Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where her research was recognized with an award from the Canadian Federation of University Women.
To further refine her skills and broaden her expertise, Dr. DiPasquale completed a breast oncoplastic and reconstruction surgery fellowship at the renowned Paris Breast Center. She is proud to hold board certifications from both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Surgery.
Dr. DiPasquale's contributions extend beyond her clinical practice. She has co-authored numerous research papers and actively presents her work at international conferences. Additionally, she serves as a peer reviewer for international journals.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. DiPasquale cherishes quality time spent with her loved ones, including her family, friends, and her beloved Yorkie. After escaping the cold Canadian winters, she also enjoys spending time outdoors in the warm Arizona sun.
Dr. Gunia is one of the few sub-specialty fellowship-trained Breast Surgical Oncologists in Scottsdale and is committed to the evaluation and treatment of breast disease. She is dedicated to bringing the highest level of breast care to the valley by incorporating her expertise in the newest technologies and advancements available for both the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Her training included the oncoplastic surgical technique, which combines the principles of cancer removal with optimal cosmetic results.
After earning an undergraduate degree at Arizona State University, she obtained her medical degree from Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Dr. Gunia completed general surgery training through Ohio University and further specialized in Breast Surgical Oncology at Akron General Medical Center in Ohio. She is also on the board for Check for a Lump, a local non-profit that provides free breast health education, mammograms, testing, and direct assistance to breast cancer patients.
Dr. Gunia enjoys playing cards, country line dancing, relaxing by the pool with a good book, traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with her husband, Steve, their two tabby cats, and their two miniature dachshunds.
"Extremely nice stuff. They make you feel welcome. Dr. Gunia is a highly qualified professional that gave me reassurance everything is going to be okay. She is very kind and the best, she took the time to explain my options. Very pleased with my first time appointment." -Marie
"Dr. Gunia is hands down the best surgeon I’ve ever had. She was extremely personable and caring, and explained everything to me in “regular person”-speech, not doctor lingo. She ended up doing a partial mastectomy in my R breast, removing a large lump which was thankfully not malignant. I will definitely use her again if I have any further issues with my breasts. I HIGHLY recommend her as a surgeon and a breast doctor!" -Juleah
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. Azadi specializes in specializes in Neuro-Oncology, focusing on brain, spine, skull-based tumors and head and neck malignancies (many of which are listed below). His expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of brain and head & neck tumors. Dr. Azadi’s research interests include precision medicine and immunotherapy in primary and secondary brain tumors.
Acoustic neuroma
Astrocytoma
Benign nervous system tumor
Brain cancer
Brain metastasis
Brain tumor
Chordoma
Choroid plexus papilloma
Ependymoma
Glioblastoma
Glioma
Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LC),
Meningioma
Neurofibroma
Neurofibromatosis
Oligodendroglioma
Peripheral nerve tumor
Pituitary tumor
Secondary brain tumors
Spinal cord tumor
Dr. Azadi’s priority is to provide his patients with personalized, compassionate care using the most up-to-date treatment options. He listens to his patients, and collaboratively they choose the best treatment option for their cancer. He strives to deliver the most effective cancer management and treatment strategies, while providing encouragement and support for his patients.
In his free time, Dr. Azadi enjoys all sports, especially tennis and mountain biking.
"Dr Azadi has been treating my husband who has Glioblastoma Vi since diagnosis. He is very kind and one of the few Doctors we have worked with who has been honest with us. He is also the only one who suggested trials which we are very excited about. Dr Azadi has made himself completely reachable when I have any issues come up. He responds so quickly and always with a helpful solution." -Rhonda
Dr. Singavi’s clinical interests include solid tumors and hematologic disorders (both malignant and non-malignant – thrombotic/bleeding disorders/etc.). His special interests include breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, brain tumors, and lung cancer.
When not working, Dr. Singavi enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and watching sports.
"My father has been a patient of Dr Singavi for 3 years. Dr Singavi is an absolute gem! He is compassionate and very knowledgeable. He takes his time to listen to patient concerns and help the patient/family understand the treatment plan. I can’t say enough how grateful I am my father is in his care. It’s so rare to find a doctor that is both skilled in his field and has top notch bed side manor. Dr Singavi is both!!" -Laura
"Dr. Singavi is the most amazing Dr. He is kind, compassionate, and takes all the time in the world to make sure you understand your condition, and your treatment plan. His entire office staff is also very compassionate and carring. If you have to see an Oncologist, and let's face it, nobody wants to, Dr. Singavi and his staff are the people you want to be with during your care." -Sandy
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
After graduating from a premier medical school in India, Dr. Fernandes continued her training in Internal Medicine and obtained advanced training in the treatment of blood and cancer disorders in the United States. She was awarded an international prestigious scholarship from the European Society of Medical Oncology and spent time as a visiting fellow in Medical Oncology in Spain.
Her areas of expertise include breast cancers in addition to treating other cancer disorders such as colon cancer, lung cancer, melanoma/skin cancers and blood disorders such as anemias, iron deficiency disorders, abnormal blood counts. She serves as a section editor for Breast Cancer on hemonc.org, an internationally accessed online resource for cancer physicians. She has presented cancer research at national and international cancer meetings in the United States and Europe and volunteers with the American Society of Clinical Oncology for peer review activities.
Dr. Fernandes believes in providing compassionate, exceptional and cutting-edge care to her patients. She strives to provide the most personalized treatment plan for her patients while taking into consideration their unique needs. Having had family members who have also been stricken with cancer, she understands and empathizes with the needs of caring for a loved one with cancer.
Dr. Fernandes enjoys spending time with family, travel, running, and watercolor painting.
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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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
