Meet the Cancer Experts

The Region's First Surgical Oncologist
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Nurse Navigation

The Region's First Surgical Oncologist
-web streaming of Dr. Hill

A surgical oncologist is a surgeon who has completed rigorous training in the latest state-of-the-art treatment of common, complex and unusual cancer problems. Surgical oncologists have completed a five-year general surgery residency followed by a three-year fellowship at one of only fourteen surgical oncology programs approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology.

Hank C. Hill, MD, of the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center, is the region’s only surgical oncologist. A surgeon trained at the respected Roswell Park Cancer Institute and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Dr. Hill is a physician with a distinguished background in cancer care and research. As a surgical oncologist, Dr. Hill works in collaboration with family practitioners and other specialists to add a new level of skill and experience to the care of cancer patients. This results in improved outcomes for more complex cases.

At the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center it is the collaboration among the surgical oncologist, the general surgeons, family practitioners, The Regional Cancer Center, and the patient that leads to the best possible outcomes.

Clinical Nurse Specialist

At the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center, the patient’s needs are carefully coordinated by an oncology clinical nurse specialist who acts as a liaison between the patient, physician and clinical staff.

The clinical nurse specialist visits cancer patients on a regular basis to discuss their individual treatment options, progress and nursing care as well as providing education based on a patient’s needs. The oncology clinical nurse specialist also educates the staff to be certain the team is always up-to-date on the latest cancer treatments and nursing care.

Nurse Navigation

When you learn you may have cancer or receive an actual diagnosis of the disease, it is often a difficult, confusing and anxious time in your life. You will have questions and concerns about your health, and you may need help in getting the care you need. To address this, The Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center has created two new patient navigation programs for individuals dealing with cancer. They include:

• Surgical Oncology Patient Navigation: A program to help cancer patients admitted to the hospital after their surgery
• Breast Health Navigation: A program for patients dealing with breast cancer

Navigation is a system in which a registered nurse navigator works closely with you to help eliminate or reduce barriers to cancer care and “navigate” you through the health care system by:

• Answering questions and addressing concerns
• Helping you fill out insurance forms
• Helping you find ways to pay for health care if you don’t have insurance
• Directing you to health care services for further diagnosis or treatment
• Directing you to local resources and support
• Helping you keep track of appointments
  
• Helping you with transportation issues
  
• Helping you find more information on health care

Peggy Camino, RNS, BSN, Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigator
Saint Vincent Health Center
232 West 25 Street, Erie, PA 16544
If you have surgery at Saint Vincent, you will be contacted by Peggy.

If you receive breast cancer services at Saint Vincent, you will be contacted by the breast health navigator.  If you have questions, you can call 814/452-7765

The Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigation Program is funded through a grant from the Cancer Treatment and Research Fund of the Saint Vincent Foundation. Those who are interested in contributing this fund may do so by contacting the foundation at 814/452-5073. The Breast Health Navigation Program is funded through a grant from the Pittsburgh affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.