Highly Skilled Oncology Team

Our staff includes physicians who have been caring for people in the community for years. They've earned a reputation for excellent care, and for going the extra mile for their patients, in every way possible. Primary care physicians, oncologists, surgeons, nurses and other staff work together with the patient to come up with the best program of care. The members of our dedicated nursing staff have years of oncology experience and are deeply committed to advocate for each patient. Our patients have a personal relationship with all of the staff—we help you navigate the system and we walk with you through each step of the process. We consider you the center of our team.

First row: Michael Sherrow, MD, surgeon, Julio Rossi, MD, radiologist and medical director of the Breast Center and Advanced Imaging Center, Isoken Koko, MD, medical oncologist, Nina Yedavalli, MD, medical oncologist and medical director of the Cancer Center. Second row: Rabia Bhatti, MD, breast surgeon, Kelly Retzlaff, Nurse Practioner, Polina Zaytsev, MD Medical Director of Pathology and Laboratory Services, Dennis Galinsky, MD, radiologist, Sarah Mauro, RN, Breast Center clinical nurse navigator, Irene Ma, MD, medical oncologist. Third row: Michael DeWolf, MD, plastic surgeon, Frederick M. Tiesenga, MD, surgeon, Lisa Peters, MD, plastic surgeon, Michael DeHaan, MD, surgeon, Gerald Lynch, MD, surgeon, Joseph Franco, MD, plastic surgeon, Andy Su, MD, radiologist.

We are pleased to partner with the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)—one of the nation's premier research institutes for the advancement of cancer care. It's a partnership that makes leading cancer treatments and cancer research programs available to West Suburban patients, right here in their own neighborhood.

Medical oncologists from UIC work exclusively at the Cancer Center to offer our patients the latest in cancer treatment. When radiation or surgery is necessary, they work closely with their Vanguard West Suburban Medical Center colleagues to provide the best and most comprehensive treatment.

Nurse Navigator

Our Clinical Nurse Coordinator serves as the link between the patient and the physician team, and is available to answer questions, provide resources, speak with family members and consult with patients one-on-one. She helps our patients "navigate" a complex healthcare system of treatments, tests, appointments, and supportive services. She coordinates patient care to ensure the timely scheduling of appointments, educates patients and their caregivers about each treatment modality, helps to answer questions regarding the timing and coordination of each approach. She is a patient advocate who promotes patient empowerment and includes the patient in the decisions throughout the treatment planning process. In what can be an overwhelming process, she is there to support patients.