Our Philosophy

A cancer diagnosis begins a journey through unfamiliar territory. Sutter patients are fortunate to have many exceptional cancer specialists and treatment paths available to them, each offering unique advantages. The multidisciplinary team at Sutter Medical Group (SMG) - Medical Oncology & Hematology is one place patients can find able guidance through the unknown.

Specialists Dedicated to Care and Guidance

The SMG Medical Oncology & Hematology group includes expert cancer specialists who focus on specific cancers and stay abreast of the most recent advances in care. The doctors work closely with professional support staff, simplifying a patient's journey by coordinating all activities through a single contact point. Soon after a patient receives a diagnosis, the team creates a care plan that serves as a roadmap, helping the patient, family and referring physician understand what lies ahead. Included in the plan are the contact names, locations, dates and times of upcoming appointments, which are scheduled promptly to reduce the stress of waiting.

Help With Appointments and Next Steps

The goal of the program is to remove all unnecessary burdens from patients and families, allowing them to focus on healing. Office staff handles appointment scheduling, for example, scheduling multiple appointments in a single morning or afternoon whenever possible. If treatment calls for surgery, patients are scheduled as quickly as possible and given all information, including follow-up appointment locations and times.

Additional Support

To alleviate financial concerns, patients are also put in contact with an insurance liaison they can call about billing and insurance questions. In addition, patients receive information about the wealth of support services Sutter offers, including nutrition classes, support groups, counseling support, and creative therapies available through Sutter Cancer Center. If it appears that a patient may qualify for a clinical trial, the patient will receive information and the opportunity to volunteer as a research participant. And finally, referring primary care doctors receive timely reports so they understand patients' diagnosis, treatment and recovery plans and can remain active in their patients' ongoing care.

While the journey through cancer diagnosis and treatment is never easy, SMG's Medical Oncology & Hematology practice provides a compassionate, coordinated approach that simplifies the path to recovery.

Our team:

	Stacy D'Andre, MD Medical Director, Sutter Cancer Center Gastrointestinal & Gynecologic Tumor Programs [full bio]
	Michael Carroll, MD Medical Director, Sutter Cancer Center Blood & Marrow Transplantation and Hematological Malignancies Program [full bio]
	Donald Lombardi, MD Medical Director, Sutter Cancer Center Breast and Genitourinary (kidney, bladder, prostate, testicle) Cancers [full bio]
	Manoj Agarwal, MD Medical Director, Sutter Cancer Center Lung Cancer [full bio]