SCCI Physician Faculty

The SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU offers multidisciplinary teams, known as cancer care teams, made up of a variety of cancer specialists and subspecialists.  These include medical, surgical, psychosocial, and ancillary and support services, all available to a patient at the same location and point in time.   

The current cancer care teams are the Breast Center, Colorectal Cancer Clinic, the Gynecologic Oncology Clinic, the Head and Neck Oncology Team or HANOT, the Hematology and Oncology Clinic, the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic, the Prostate Center, the Melanoma Center and the Thoracic Oncology Program.

The teams are working to substantially increase the number of clinical trials underway in central Illinois, so that patients no longer have to travel to metropolitan centers to find the latest drug treatment trials for various cancers.

Dr. K. Thomas Robbins, professor of surgery and director of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU, joined the SIU faculty in 2003.  He completed a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at the Institute of Laryngology and Otology in London, England (1982).  Robbins is board certified in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.  He has served as the principal investigator for an investigator-initiated multicenter trial funded by the National Cancer Institute and currently is a co-principal investigator for an FDA-approved industry sponsored trial.  He specializes in the treatment of head and neck cancers.  Robbins is the director of the Head and Neck – HANOT Clinic

Internal Medicine - Medical Oncologists
Dr. John E. Godwin, professor and associate director of clinical services for the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute, joined the SIU faculty in 2006.  He also serves as chief of the hematology and oncology division in the School’s internal medicine department and director of the Hematology and Oncology Clinic.  Godwin completed a two-year fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of North Carolina (1985).  He completed fellowships in hematology and oncology and in general internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (1983, 1982).  He earned a master’s degree in epidemiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston (1983).  Godwin is board certified in internal medicine and hematology.  He currently is the national principal investigator for two cancer research trials for leukemia and has previously received funding for 14 grants.  His research interests are the biology and treatment of hematologic malignancies and clinical thrombosis. 

Dr. Aziz U. Khan, associate professor of hematology and oncology, joined the SIU faculty in 2007.  He completed fellowships in medical oncology and hematology at the University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine (1991, 1990).  Khan is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.  His interests include colorectal and hematological malignancies. 

Dr. Robert S. Mocharnuk, associate professor of hematology and oncology, joined the SIU faculty in 2007.  He completed a hematology/medical oncology fellowship at the University of Southern California/Keck School of Medicine (1996).  Mocharnuk is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology.  His interests include breast and genitourinary cancers and bleeding and clotting disorders. 

Dr. Krishna A. Rao, Ph.D., assistant professor of hematology and oncology, joined the SIU faculty in 2002.  He earned his doctoral degree in pathology at the University of Washington (2002) and completed a fellowship in hematology/medical oncology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (1998).  Rao is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.  He specializes in bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell transplants and the treatment of breast cancer. 

Internal Medicine – Dermatology
Dr. Lucinda S. Buescher, associate professor of internal medicine and director of the Melanoma Center, joined the SIU faculty in 1993.  She is board certified in dermatology and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.  She specializes in treating skin cancers and diseases. 

Dr. Jonathan Goldfarb, associate professor of internal medicine and chief of SIU’s dermatology division, joined the SIU faculty in 1992.  He completed a fellowship in dermatological surgery at New York Skin and Cancer Hospital of New York University (1981) and a two-year fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1977).  He is board certified in internal medicine and dermatology.  He specializes in skin cancers and diseases.

Dr. Stephen P. Stone, professor of internal medicine, joined the SIU faculty in 2000.  He completed a fellowship in dermatology at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine (1974).  Stone is board certified in dermatology.  He specializes in treating skin cancer as well as psoriasis and dermatitis.

Internal Medicine – Pulmonary
Dr. Joseph Q. Henkle, associate professor of internal medicine and chief of SIU’s pulmonary medicine division, joined the SIU faculty in 1986.  He completed a two-year fellowship in pulmonary medicine at Good Samaritan and Veterans Administration Medical Centers (1986).  Henkle is board certified in internal medicine, with subspecialty certification in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and sleep medicine.  He specializes in treating lung cancer.

Dr. Peter White, professor of internal medicine, joined the SIU faculty in 2006.  He completed a three-year fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1992).  White is board certified in internal medicine, with subspecialty certification in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and sleep medicine.  He specializes in treating lung cancer.

Internal Medicine – Other Specialities
Dr. Carmel M. Fratianni, associate professor of internal medicine, joined the SIU faculty in 2000.  She completed a three-year fellowship in endocrinology and diabetes at Cornell University Medical College (1994).  Fratianni is board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology and is a fellow of the American College of Endocrinology.  She has a particular interest in thyroid cancer and thyroid disorders, as well as general endocrinology.

Dr. Mei Chris Huang, Ph.D., assistant professor of gastroenterology, joined the SIU faculty in 2006.  Huang completed a three-year fellowship in gastroenterology at Washington University School of Medicine (2005).  She completed a postdoctoral research fellowship and earned her doctoral degree in molecular biology at Vanderbilt Medical School (1995, 1992).  Huang is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.  Her clinical interests include diseases of the esophagus, stomach and intestines and promoting colorectal cancer screening. 

Dr. Laura Q. Rogers, associate professor of internal medicine, joined the SIU faculty in 2000.  She earned a master’s degree in public health at the University of South Carolina (2000) and completed a three-year faculty development fellowship program in general internal medicine at the University of North Carolina (1990).  Rogers is board certified in internal medicine.  She is studying exercise promotion and the effects of exercise in cancer survivors.

Dr. David E. Steward, professor and chair of SIU’s internal medicine department and coordinator of population science for the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute, joined the SIU faculty in 1979.  He is board certified in internal medicine and a master of the American College of Physicians.  Steward is a primary care physician with interests in the evaluation and treatment of complex/multisystem medical conditions.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Gary A. Johnson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and chief of SIU’s gynecology/oncology division, joins the SIU faculty in 2008.  He completed a gynecologic oncology fellowship at the University of California (1993).  Johnson is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and gynecologic oncology.  He specializes in gynecologic oncology.  He is the new director of the Gynecologic Oncology Clinic.

Pediatrics
Dr. Gregory P. Brandt, associate professor of pediatrics and chair of SIU’s pediatric hematology/oncology division, joined the SIU faculty in 1995.  Brandt is the director of the Pediatric Oncology Clinic.  He completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center (1995).  He is the principal investigator at SIU for the Children’s Oncology Group, a national cooperative group focused on research aspects of pediatric cancers.  Brandt is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric hematology/oncology.  He specializes in treating children, adolescents and young adults with hematology/oncology disorders. 

Dr. Daniel J. Niebrugge, assistant professor of pediatrics, joined the SIU faculty in 2004.  He completed a two-year fellowship in pediatric hematology and oncology at Children’s Hospital and Health Center (1982).  He is the co-investigator at SIU for the Children’s Oncology Group.  Niebrugge is board certified in pediatrics.  He specializes in treating children, adolescents and young adults with hematology/oncology disorders. 

Dr. Michael R. Pranzatelli, professor of pediatric neurology, chief of child and adolescent neurology and director of the National Pediatric Myoclonus Center, joined the SIU faculty in 1999.  He was a research fellow in neuropharmacology and neurology at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles at the University of Southern California (1982-85).  Pranzatelli is board certified in pediatrics, psychiatry and neurology.  He specializes in treating childhood neuroblastoma and paraneoplastic syndrome.

Surgery
Dr. Carol A. Bauer, professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 1995.  She completed a one-year fellowship in neurology at Baylor College of Medicine (1995).  Bauer is board certified in otolaryngology.  She specializes in treating chronic diseases of the ear.

Dr. Gary L. Dunnington, professor and chair of SIU’s surgery department and director of the Breast Center, joined the SIU faculty in 1997.  Dunnington is board certified in surgery.  He specializes in breast and endocrine surgery.

Dr. Imran Hassan, assistant professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 2006.  He completed research and clinical colorectal fellowships at the Mayo Clinic (2006).  Hassan is board certified in general surgery.  He specializes in all aspects of colon and rectal surgery and has a special interest in laparoscopic surgery. 

Dr. Stephen R. Hazelrigg, professor and chair of SIU’s cardiothoracic surgery division, joined the SIU faculty in 1993. He is the director of the Lung-Thoracic Oncology Program Clinic.  He completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Missouri Hospitals and Clinics (1990).  Hazelrigg is board certified in surgery and the subspecialty of thoracic and cardiac surgery.  He specializes in lung cancer surgery.

Dr. James P. Malone, assistant professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 2002.  He completed a two-year head and neck surgical oncology fellowship at Ohio State University (2002).  Malone is board certified in otolaryngology.  He specializes in treating head and neck cancers.

Dr. Michael W. Neumeister, professor of surgery and chair of SIU’s plastic surgery division, joined the SIU faculty in 1997.  He completed a one-year fellowship in hand and microsurgery at SIU (1997) and a three-month fellowship at Harvard University’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital (1996).  Neumeister is board certified in plastic surgery.  His research interests include tissue engineering, the role of stem cells in reconstruction, ischemia reperfusion, peripheral nerve and burn modulation.  He specializes in breast reconstruction.

Dr. Elizabeth A. Peralta, associate professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 2000.  She completed a three-year fellowship in surgical oncology at the City of Hope National Medical Center (2000).  Peralta is board certified in surgery.  She specializes in treating breast cancers.

Dr. Jacquelyn A. Quin, associate professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 2001.  She was a cardiothoracic surgery transplant fellow at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2000) and a Winchester Fellow in Research in cardiothoracic surgery at Yale University (1997).  Quin is board certified in thoracic and general surgery.  She specializes in adult cardiac and lung cancer surgery.

Dr. Jan Rakinic, associate professor of surgery and director of the Colorectal Cancer Clinic, joined the SIU faculty in 2001.  She completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (1990).  Rakinic is board certified in surgery and colon and rectal surgery.  She specializes in treating cancers of the colorectum, breast and female genital tract.

Dr. David A. Rogers, professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 2000.  He completed a one-year pediatric surgical oncology fellowship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (1992) as well as a one-year research fellowship with the Association for Surgical Education (1996).  He is board certified in surgery and pediatric surgery.  Rogers specializes in pediatric surgery.

Dr. Leonard P. Rybak, Ph.D., professor of surgery and distinguished scholar, joined the SlU faculty in 1981.  He completed his doctoral degree at the University of Minnesota (1979).  Rybak is board certified in otolaryngology.  He specializes in treating head and neck cancer. 

Dr. Thomas H. Tarter, Ph.D., associate professor of surgery and director of the Prostate Center, joined the SIU faculty in 2001.  He completed a three-year fellowship at the Population Council Center for Biomedical Research at Rockefeller University (1986).  He earned his doctoral degree at Oregon Health Sciences University (1983).  Tarter is board certified in urology.  He specializes in the treatment of cancers of the prostate, bladder and kidney. 

Dr. Elvin G. Zook, professor of surgery, joined the SIU faculty in 1973.  He was a James Whitcomb Riley plastic surgery fellow and Christine Kleinert fellow in hand surgery at the University of Louisville (1966-70).  Zook is board certified in plastic and general surgery and in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.  His special interests are cosmetic, breast and hand surgery.

Other SIU Faculty
Rhonda L. Johnson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry and chief of SCCI’s oncology patient and family supportive services division, joins the SIU faculty in 2008.  She completed a one-year fellowship at the Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (2002).  Her special interests are gynecologic cancer and cancer survivorship.

Dr. Phillip D. Pan, assistant professor of psychiatry, chief of SIU’s division of forensic psychiatry and director of adult outpatient psychiatry services, joined the SIU faculty in 2004.  He completed a one-year fellowship in forensic psychiatry at the Isaac Ray Center at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center (1996).  Pan is board certified in general psychiatry with added qualifications in forensic psychiatry.

Dr. Penelope K. Tippy, professor of family and community medicine in Carbondale, joined the SIU faculty in 1982.  She also serves as medical director of the School’s affiliated family practice centers in Carbondale and West Frankfort.  Tippy is board certified in family practice.  She specializes in adolescent health and rural health care.

Springfield physicians affiliated with the SIU Cancer Institute
Dr. Mary Bretscher, Springfield Clinic, specializes in oncology and palliative care
Dr. Parashar J. Nanavati, University Radiologists, specializes in radiation oncology
Dr. Thomas G. Shanahan, University Radiologists, specializes in radiation oncology
Dr. Bruce E. Shevlin, University Radiologists, specializes in radiation oncology
Dr. Lisa Wichterman, Clinical Radiologists, specializes in breast imaging
Dr. James H. Wynstra, University Radiologists, specializes in radiation oncology

7/10/08