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Cancer Care Team
The Sentara Cancer Care Team who may be involved in your care includes but is not limited to:
 Physicians
In addition to being board-certified, many of our physicians are sub-specialists, meaning they have at least one year, and in some cases many years, of additional fellowship training aimed at increasing their expertise in a specific field. In addition, many of our physicians have teaching affiliations, are involved with national clinical trials and actively publish academic articles about their areas of expertise. Your team of cancer physicians is likely to include Surgical Oncologists or Medical Oncologists along with other specialists.
To search for a specific Sentara physician, try our Find a Doctor search.
Nurses
At Sentara, nurses demonstrate commitment and specialized knowledge in cancer patient care. Current knowledge of new treatments and procedures is obtained by attending oncology educational programs offered internally as well as externally by professional organizations. The nurses of the cancer program place a strong emphasis on patient, family and community education. In addition, many seek certification through the Oncology Nursing Society. Oncology certification enhances professional practice and patient care. Certification validates an oncology nurse’s knowledge and skills while increasing self-confidence. In turn, patients recognize that oncology is diverse and challenging, requiring highly knowledgeable, autonomous, responsible and motivated nurses. A patient’s level of trust and confidence in their nurse’s ability to care for them is essential to their treatment plan and outcome.
Cancer Registrars
The Cancer Registry Department plays an important role in maintaining cancer data. The department monitors trends in incidence and mortality rate as well as evaluates prevention and control measures. The Cancer Registry Department provides local data to many state and national agencies such as the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, for the purpose of generating national cancer statistics. Other functions include serving as an educational and data resource for physicians and institutions, stimulating research into all aspects of cancer treated at Sentara and promoting state-of-the-art cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Patient Navigators / Care Coordinators
Cancer care typically involves many treatments from a wide range of doctors and specialists. Because we understand how overwhelming it can be, several of our centers offer patients a dedicated medical professional called a Cancer Patient Navigator or Cancer Care Coordinator. From diagnosis to recovery, they are there to help guide you through the process and provide the answers and support you need.
Patient Navigators/Cancer Care Coordinators are available at the following Sentara facilities:
• Sentara CarePlex Hospital / Port Warwick
- Patient Navigator, Lower Peninsula – (757) 827-2206
• Dorothy G. Hoefer Comprehensive Breast Center / Port Warwick
- Breast Cancer Patient Navigator, Lower Peninsula – (757) 594-1939
• Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital – (757) 395-8686
• Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center – (757) 345-4204
Therapists - Physical, Speech, Occupational Therapists
The physical, speech and occupational therapists that staff Sentara Rehab Network have special expertise in the care of patients with cancer. They work hard to provide therapy to both inpatients and outpatients and to improve patients' sense of well being during and after treatment. Through therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular training, patient and family education, and pulmonary rehabilitation, our therapists help patients decrease the burden of disease and its treatment and their highest level of functional independence.
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists play an important role on the Sentara Cancer Care Team. Working with a Radiation Oncologist, they help to develop a patient’s treatment plan, explain the plan to the patient, answer questions and administer the radiation using the appropriate equipment.
Community Educators
Community Educators plan numerous seminars and events to help educate the public on the importance of prevention and early detection. They also plan and conduct screenings to aid in early diagnosis.
Case Managers
Case Managers review the needs of each patient and refer social issues and complicated discharge needs to a social worker, discharge planner or other Sentara Cancer Network or community resource.
Dieticians
Since nutrition is such an important part of the cancer patient’s care, registered dieticians are available at a number of our sites and in our hospitals for patients who are at risk. Cancer patients who stay well-nourished during their treatment period are better able to withstand the side effects of the treatment, whether it be chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or surgery. The nutrition staff has a variety of teaching materials to offer cancer patients eating tips and recipes for better nutrition during cancer treatment.
Infusion Specialists
Infusion Specialists are trained personnel who assist in delivering medicines, equipment and nursing services to people who need intravenous (IV) fluids, nutrition, or treatments.
Home Care / Hospice Nurses and Staff
Sentara Home Care Services and Sentara Hospice offer an innovative and progressive range of services to patients and families who choose to receive medical/nursing care in the safe, nurturing confines of their home.
Palliative Care Specialists
At Sentara, cancer patients and their families may request and benefit from a special program of support called palliative care. Palliative care is given to improve the quality of life for patients who have a life-threatening disease. Palliative care is used to treat disease symptoms, side effects caused by treatment, and psychological, social, and spiritual problems related to the disease. It is also called comfort care, supportive care and symptom management.
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