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Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Head and Neck Center
Collaborative Approach to Care
The Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Head and Neck Center, part of the Sentara Cancer Network, includes three fellowship-trained surgeons, a microvascular reconstruction specialist, a fellowship-trained pathologist, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, endocrinologists, neuroradiologists, nurse practitioners, dentists, oral surgeons, physical and occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, licensed social workers, dietician, nurse navigator and oncology research nurses. These experts meet weekly to plan treatment for all head and neck cases, and share information so that they can give patients the best care possible.
Advanced Technology
The Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Head and Neck Center works to advance treatment and care. CyberKnife® robotic radiosurgery delivers precision radiation treatments for the head and neck cancer. The team also was the first in Virginia to introduce TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. TORS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for removing tumors in the throat and voice box (larynx). Instead of making an incision, the surgeons work through the patient’s mouth to remove tumors.
Our team uses the da Vinci robotic surgical system with TORS, and the system makes it possible to see the area that needs surgery clearly and without making any external surgical cuts. Patients appreciate this because there is less scarring, a lower risk of infection and blood transfusion, easier swallowing afterwards and a quicker return to everyday living. The Sentara EVMS Comprehensive Head and Neck Center continues to advance our technology to better treat our patients.
Second Opinion Clinic
Second opinion evaluations are available for both newly diagnosed patients as well as those who have experienced a change in their condition, such as reoccurance. All cases are reviewed in a multidisciplinary conference to ensure the best individualized treatment plan for each patient, taking clinical trials into consideration as part of the plan.
Clinical Trials and Research
- Original institutional research studies in head and neck cancer
- Many multi-institutional clinical trials ongoing in head and neck cancer
- Annual head and neck continuing medical education symposium for community physicians
- Specialized in surgical management of head and neck cancers offering organ preservation
Patient and Family Support
We offer a travel concierge, nurse navigators, licensed clinical social workers, support groups and more to support our patients. Our team can coordinate and arrange all of these resources so that your patient can focus on their recovery. These services ease logistics for patients, their families, and referring providers.
Types of Cancer Treated
- Hypopharyngeal
- Larynx
- Melanomas of the face and neck
- Oral cavity
- Oropharyngeal
- Paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity
- Parathyroid
- Pharynx
- Salivary glands
- Thyroid
Clinical Team
Matthew Bak, MD
Head and Neck Surgery
Daniel Karakla, MD, FACS
Head and Neck Surgery
Lauren Lewis, MSN, NP-C
Head and Neck Surgery
Jonathan R Mark, MD
Head and Neck Surgery
Edwin Crandley, MD
Radiation Oncology
Erik Lappinen, MD
Radiation Oncology
Michael Miller, MD
Radiation Oncology
Mark Sinesi, MD
Radiation Oncology
Dean McGaughey, III, MD
Medical Oncology
John Mattern, MD
Medical Oncology
Marc Silverberg, MD
Pathology
Cheryl Almirante, MD
Endocrinology
David Lieb, MD
Endocrinology
Donald Richardson, MD
Endocrinology
Jagdeesh Ullal, MD
Endocrinology
Marissa Galicio-Castillo, MD
Palliative Care
John Donnal, MD
Neuroradiology
Yoonah Kim, MD
Neuroradiology
Karah Lanier, MD
Neuroradiology
Marshall Bonnie, DDS
Dentistry
Klaus Guter, DDS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Pam Kennedy, MSN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Rebeca Lee, BSN, OCN
Oncology Nurse Navigator
Karen Woodhouse, LCSW
Social Work
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