Surveyor Profiles
Listed alphabetically, A - L:
Dr. Abrams is a surgeon affiliated with Bridgeport Hospital in Bridgeport, CT. He is a graduate of the State University of New York, Downstate Medical School, Brooklyn, NY, and completed his internship and residency at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2004 to make an impact on care and treatment of the cancer patient. He believes accreditation helps to subscribe to a proven and effective discipline in the treatment of cancer. His favorite aspect of surveying is reviewing the programs’ self assessment and their monitoring of cancer care. In his spare time, Dr. Abrams enjoys photography, gardening, and traveling.
Dr. Bechamps is a general surgeon affiliated with Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA. He is a graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and completed his internship at Nassau County General Hospital in New York and his residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2011 to share his hospital and surgical experience with other cancer programs. He believes accreditation offers the public assurance that a hospital is providing quality cancer care. His favorite aspect of surveying is to share in the delivery of higher standards. In his spare time, Dr. Bechamps enjoys travel and cultural activities.
Dr. Berk is a surgeon affiliated with North Shore University Health System in Evanston, IL. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and completed his internship at the University Hospital of San Diego County and his residency at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, IL, and his fellowship training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 1983 to allow the opportunity to see the various ways facilities accomplish their goals. He believes accreditation offers a verification of standards that are maintained keeping cancer care at the highest level of standards. His favorite aspect of surveying is to see a truly functional cancer committee that works well together as a team. In his spare time, Dr. Berk enjoys playing golf, reading, and visiting his grandchildren.
Dr. Bleznak is a general (breast) surgeon affiliated with Sentara Healthcare in Norfolk, VA. He is a graduate of Jefferson Medical College and completed his internship and residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2011 to assist facilities with in improving their cancer programs. He believes adherence to accreditation standards creates continuous improvement in cancer care. His favorite aspect of surveying is the engagement of multidisciplinary team assessment to improve care provided. In his spare time, Dr. Bleznak enjoys tennis, golf, reading and volunteering for the Commission on Cancer.
Dr. Britell is in a private medical oncology practice associated with Valley Medical Center in Renton, WA. He is a graduate of Albany Medical College and completed his internship at LA County–USC Medical Center and his residency at the University of Oregon Health Science Center and his fellowship program at Mayo Clinic. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2008 to ensure we are providing the highest quality care to oncology patients. He believes accreditation allows institutions to measure the quality of their programs against state and national standards. He is impressed with an annual report that provides the best insight into how the program is performing. In his spare time, Dr. Britell enjoys hiking, photography, and bird watching.
Dr. Cardamone is a medical oncologist affiliated with Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and completed his internship and residency at the University of Pennsylvania and his fellowship training at the University of Utah and the University of Minnesota. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2006 to learn how programs deliver excellent cancer care. He believes accreditation provides a quality, state of the art care to the cancer patient. His favorite aspect of surveying is seeing programs find ways to meet standards even with limited resources. In his spare time, Dr. Cardamone enjoys “playing grandfather,” traveling, good food, and reading.
Dr. Chase is a general surgeon from Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH. He is a graduate of Jefferson University, where he also completed his internship and residency. He became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2000 for the opportunity to help cancer programs improve. He believes accreditation allows cancer programs to demonstrate their quality program. His favorite aspect of surveying is seeing programs demonstrate their work toward improving quality outcomes. In his spare time, Dr. Chase enjoys sailing, skiing, traveling, mountain hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and volunteering in developing countries.
Dr. Bakare is a general surgeon affiliated with J.J. Peters VA Medical Center in Bronx, NY. She attended Grant Medical College, University of Bombay, India, and completed a residency at Norwalk Hospital, CT, and an internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, NY. Dr. Bakare first became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2010. Her main reason for becoming a surveyor was to help cancer programs learn and share best practices with each other. She perceives the number one value of accreditation is the opportunity for cancer patients to get the best care in their community. In her spare time, Dr. Bakare enjoys playing bridge.
Dr. Christian is a general surgeon affiliated with Mayo Clinic Health System and Franciscan Healthcare in LaCrosse, WI. She is a graduate of the University of Kansas and completed her residency at the University of Kansas in Wichita, KS. She became a surveyor in 2011 to promote the value and importance of CoC accreditation. Dr. Christian believes that accreditation gives assurance to both patients and families that they are receiving high quality cancer care. In her spare time, Dr. Christian enjoys walking, photography and spending time with her family.
Dr. Daniel is a hospital administrator for Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, VA, after practicing surgical oncology for 17 years. He is a graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, TX, and his fellowship training at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. He became a CoC surveyor in 2008 to contribute to the quality care of cancer patients. He believes accreditation offers programs the opportunity to use the National Cancer Data Base for ongoing self assessment. He is most impressed with well organized and detailed cancer conferences discussing multidisciplinary care. In his spare time Dr. Daniels surveys cancer programs.
Dr. Dillon is a general and oncologic surgeon affiliated with Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, and he completed his internship at Barnes-Jewish Hospital (BJH) at Washington University Medical and his residency at BJH and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Additionally, Dr. Dillon completed his fellowship training through NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. He became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2008 as a commitment to oncology. He believes accreditation allows cancer programs to demonstrate their excellence in oncology care. In his spare time, Dr. Dillon enjoys the culinary arts, photography, and woodworking.
Dr. Dreyer is a general surgeon affiliated with Fremont Area Medical Center in Fremont, NE. He is a graduate of Creighton University and completed his internship and residency at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. Dr. Dreyer became a surveyor for the CoC in 2011 to support the mission of the CoC by observing best practices in healthcare facilities, and assisting programs that might struggle with standard(s). He believes the most valuable resources for program accreditation are access to the NCDB tools and cancer conference activity. In his spare time, Dr. Dreyer enjoys running, reading spy novels and gardening.
Dr. Eisenhauer is a surgeon in private practice affiliated with Park Ridge and Pardee Hospitals in Hendersonville, NC. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and completed his internship and residency at Greenville Hospital System. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2007 to help assure the availability of excellent medical care for the cancer patient. He believes accreditation helps to maintain a high standard of care for the cancer patient. He is looking forward to the implementation of the 2012 standards.
Dr. Flanigan is a surgeon affiliated with Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Barrington, IL. He is a graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin, and he completed his internship and residency at Rush Medical Center, Chicago, IL. He became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2004 to help assure that cancer patients receive the best possible care; he believes accreditation assures high quality care. His favorite aspect of surveying is the attention given to patient care data and bench marking. In his spare time he enjoys, running, sailing, and fishing in the Florida Keys.
Dr. Fleishman is the director, Cancer Support Services; associate chief medical officer, Continuum Hospice Care at Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, Beth Israel and St. Luke’s Roosevelt. He specializes in hospital and palliative medicine and is a graduate of Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico and completed his internship and residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital and his fellowship training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He became a surveyor for the CoC 2009 to help emphasize survivorship programs that inherent to good quality cancer treatment and start at the time of diagnosis. He believes accreditation demonstrates a sophisticated level of care for cancer patients and their families. He looks forward to seeing programs demonstrate best practices that may be share with others. In his spare time Dr. Fleishman enjoys cooking, traveling, reading, home renovation, and playing golf.
Dr. Forbes is a surgeon affiliated with Saint Clare’s Hospital, Denville, NJ. He is a graduate of Boston (MA) University School of Medicine, and he completed his residency and internship at St. Vincent’s Hospital, New York, NY. He became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2000 to help promote high quality cancer care. He believes accreditation gives programs an opportunity to monitor and improve quality of care using National Cancer Data Base quality reporting tools. His favorite aspect of surveying is community outreach activities. In his spare time, Dr. Forbes enjoys playing the piano, reading, and skiing.
Dr. Frank is a surgical oncologist and is affiliated with Saint Francis Medical Center, Longmeadow, MA. Dr. Frank currently serves as the chief of surgical oncology. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, OH, and completed a residency and an internship at Alleghany General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Frank received fellowship training at the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond. He became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2010 to help improve cancer care in the United States. He perceives the value of accreditation is in that it is a way to standardize cancer care. He is most impressed by cancer programs that offer state-of-the-art services with cost-effective cancer care and those that utilize National Cancer Data Base data. In his spare time, Dr. Frank enjoys playing the guitar and snowshoeing.
Dr. Gerard is a general surgeon with a subspecialty in breast cancer surgery and is affiliated with Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Gerard is also a certified physician executive and serves as the administrator for the cancer program at her facility. She is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego, where she also completed her residency. Dr. Gerard received internship training at the University of California at Los Angeles. Dr. Gerard became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2010 to help reduce the burden of cancer by identifying and sharing innovative best practices. She perceives the main value of accreditation is in that it serves a way to engage organizational support for a disciplined focus on reducing the burden of cancer. She is most impressed by accredited programs that show the engagement of clinical and executive leadership, programmatic depth, passion to improve, resourcefulness, and innovation driven by data. Dr. Gerard enjoys hiking, reading, crafts, being with her grandchildren, and genealogy in her spare time.
Dr. Glazier is a clinical instructor in medicine at the Medical College of Virginia. He is a medical oncologist and a graduate of the University of Virginia and completed his internship, residency, and fellowship training at the University of Wisconsin. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 1989 to help promote proper organization of cancer programs. He believes accreditation brings about good organization from its participating members. His favorite aspect of surveying is observing tumor boards as the heart of the cancer program. In his spare time, Dr. Glazier enjoys playing golf and renovating old homes.
Dr. Greene is a general surgeon from Carolinas Healthcare, Charlotte, NC. He was also the recent past-chair of the American Joint Committee on Cancer and the Commission on Cancer and has been a surveyor since 1997. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he majored in English, and earned a medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He believes strongly that cancer programs benefit from accreditation because they are expected to improve cancer patient care. Dr. Greene enjoys movies and travel. He also enjoys meeting new people.
Dr. Herman is a general and breast surgeon from the Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas and completed his internship and residency at Boston (MA) University Medical Center. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2008 to learn from others and to support the work of the American College of Surgeons and the CoC. He believes accreditation allows facilities to maintain high standards for cancer care in the local community. His favorite aspect of surveying is seeing the multidisciplinary cooperation that is focused on patient care. In his spare time, Dr. Herman enjoys woodworking, reading, tennis, and playing with his grandchildren.
Dr. Hopewood is a general surgeon in private practice affiliated with Falmouth Hospital in Falmouth, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of the University of Vermont and completed his internship and residency at Harvard 5th Surgical Service at New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2008 to improve cancer care. He believes accreditation shows cancer patients the facilities commitment to improving cancer care. His favorite aspect of surveying is seeing community driven cancer improvement programs. In his spare time, Dr. Hopewood enjoys being a dad, singing a’cappella and playing the tuba.
Dr. Hussein is a medical oncologist affiliated with Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, FL. Dr. Hussein is currently the medical director of the Memorial Cancer Institute. He is a graduate of American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and completed his residency and internship also at American University. Dr. Hussein completed his medical oncology fellowship at the University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. Dr. Hussein became a surveyor for the Commission on Cancer in 2010 and will primarily focus on Cancer Program Network surveys. He became a surveyor to improve the quality of cancer care for cancer patients and their families and to help others interested in building accredited cancer programs. The main value of accreditation for Dr. Hussein is the excellence in cancer care for our patients. He is most impressed by the comprehensive multidisciplinary disease specific measures available. In his spare time, Dr. Hussein enjoys reading books.
Dr. Hussong is the director of hematopathology and medical director of clinical operations at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA. He is a pathologist and a graduate of Northwestern University and completed his internship and residency at Northwestern and his fellowship training at the University of Utah. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 2006 to be more involved in organized medicine as it relates to cancer patients. He believes accreditation adds a level of competency to cancer programs. His favorite aspect of accredited cancer programs is seeing how amazing the cancer registry staff works. In his spare time Dr. Hussong enjoys traveling, jogging, and watching bull riding.
Dr. Janes is a surgeon with Sparks Regional Medical Center in Fort Smith, AR, and also the Choctan National Health Care Authority. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Medicine in Little Rock. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Arkansas. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 1980 to help evaluate and observe many institutions and how they treat cancer. He believes accreditation combines a focused and broad cooperative effort for cancer care. His favorite aspect of surveying is attending the tumor board conferences. In his spare time, Dr. Janes enjoys fly fishing, flying, and motorcycle riding.
Mr. Laffey is the System Director for Cancer Services affiliated with Aurora Healthcare Network in Milwaukee, WI. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and will be partnered on his survey assignments with one of our network physicians. Bill became a surveyor for the CoC in 2011 to share his administrative knowledge with other network cancer programs. He believes that the foundation of accreditation and excellence in cancer care is built through, quality outcomes and patient-centered experience . He is impressed with cancer programs that function as a ‘program’ – which adhere to providing excellent clinical practice, with integrated and coordinated care, strong communication, and teamwork. In his spare time, he enjoys singing and playing baseball.
Dr. Lopez is chairman, department of surgery and the director of the Comprehensive Breast Center at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center of Boston, MA. He is a surgical oncologist and a graduate of the University of Autonoma of Gudalajara, Mexico, and completed his residency at the Montreal General Hospital, McGill University in Montreal, Canada and his fellowship training at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center at the University of Missouri. He became a surveyor for the CoC in 1998 to help improve quality care for cancer patients. He believes accreditation improves quality care. He is impressed by the volume of patients who are presented annually through multidisciplinary conferences. In his spare time, Dr. Lopez enjoys traveling, reading history, gardening, and being a sports fan.
Revised November 22, 2011
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