Dignity Health Medical Foundation acquires radiation oncology operation

Dignity Health Medical Foundation today announced it will assume ownership of the radiation oncology business previously owned and operated by Radiological Associates of Sacramento, Inc. (RAS) on the Mercy San Juan Medical Center campus, effective February 1, 2014.

Mercy Medical Group, a service of Dignity Health Medical Foundation, will have board-certified radiation oncologists available for consultations at the new location (6511 Coyle Avenue in Carmichael) beginning February 10. Radiation oncology treatments will resume at this location in two to four months, following some building and equipment upgrades.

“We are excited about this new location and the opportunities it presents to further serve the community,” said Joseph Jasser, MD, President and CEO of Dignity Health Medical Foundation. “The Carmichael facility will provide more access to services and quality care to our patients.”

The Coyle Avenue location in Carmichael will complement the comprehensive outpatient cancer care currently provided by Dignity Health Medical Foundation at the Mercy Cancer Center, 3301 C Street in Central Sacramento. Combined with the existing team of physicians, nurses, nurse navigators, therapists and ancillary health staff, the new location will be a valuable community resource for patients and families dealing with the diagnosis of cancer.

The following former RAS providers recently joined Mercy Medical Group: Wiley Fowler, MD, Kevin Elliot, MD, and Fallon Lopez, PA-C, in the gynecologic oncology department; Samer Shihabi,MD, Delphine Ong, MD, and Luko Laptalo, MD, in the hematology/oncology department; and Samuel Chan, MD, Brian Naftulin, MD, Uday Poonamallee, MD, and Nina Vasiliev, PA-C, in the urology department.

Dignity Health Medical Foundation is working with RAS to help transition radiation oncology patients who are receiving care at the Carmichael location. Patients interested in transferring their care to Dignity Health Medical Foundation will receive radiation oncology therapy services at the Mercy Cancer Center until the Coyle Avenue location reopens.

About Dignity Health Medical Foundation

Dignity Health Medical Foundation, established in 1993, is a not-for-profit organization providing ambulatory services in a variety of areas including primary care, specialty care in 60 different medical and surgical specialties, diagnostic imaging, vision care, occupational health, urgent care and behavioral health, including psychiatry and counseling. Dignity Health Medical Foundation supports 13 medical groups and imaging centers in Northern, Central and Southern California, with 484 physicians.