Team of Cancer Experts

Dr. Chang earned a medical degree from Kyung-puk University in his native Korea. After moving to the U.S. in 1972, Dr. Chang went on to work in Chicago area hospitals, including St. Anne's, Northwestern Memorial, and the VA Research Hospital. He joined CTCA in 2001. Dr. Chang is licensed in Illinois and Missouri. He is certified by the American Board of Radiology.

Previously, Dr. Citrin served as Director of Inpatient Oncology and assistant professor of medicine at the University of California in San Diego. He was also an associate professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Northwestern University Medical School. Board certified, Dr. Citrin received his medical training at the University of Glasgow. He completed an oncology fellowship program at the University of Wisconsin.

Board certified in radiation oncology, Dr. Eden completed a residency at the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center. He holds a bachelor's degree from Duke University and a medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

During his career at CTCA, Dr. Granick has served as the Director of Oncology Services and Palliative Care. Dr. Granick earned a medical degree from State University of New York in Brooklyn. He then completed an internship and residency at Presbyterian-University Medical Center in Philadelphia, as well as a hematology fellowship at State University of New York.

Carolyn Lammersfeld and her team of clinical oncology dietitians take a proactive approach to your care. Lammersfeld earned a master's degree in clinical nutrition from Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, where she completed a post-graduate internship. She earned a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics from Bradley University, as well as specialty certification in nutrition support. She has published research articles in nutrition journals and lectured at national nutrition/oncology conferences.

Dr. Levin is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He has been on the medical staffs of several prominent Chicago area hospitals. A graduate of the University of Chicago Medical School, he completed a residency at Northwestern University. While there, he also completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology.

Stanislav Maravilla and his diverse team of licensed rehabilitation therapists provide you with a range of individualized programs, including physical and occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, massage therapy, and lymphedema management. Maravilla is a licensed physical therapist and a graduate from Southwestern University in Cebu City, Philippines. He has been practicing physical therapy since 1992.

Reverend Percy McCray and his team of clergy, social service workers, and various volunteer community pastors, are dedicated to providing spiritual support to you and your family members to help you become strengthened, motivated and inspired to combat cancer. Rev. McCray is a fully ordained minister and a member of the National Chaplain Association.

As founder and head of the New Patient Evaluation Process at CTCA, Dr. Mellijor helps guide patients in selecting the treatment and supportive services that best meet their needs. He earned a medical degree from Cebu Institute of Medicine in the Philippines. Dr. Mellijor completed surgical residency training at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn and a fellowship in surgical oncology at the State University of New York.

Dr. Neelam is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. After graduating from Fatima Jinnah Medical College in Pakistan, she pursued a residency at Edgewater Hospital in Chicago. She then completed a fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at the Chicago Medical School. Dr. Neelam has held positions as an oncologist/hematologist at a number of hospitals.

Previously, Dr. Patel was chief radiation oncology resident at Oregon Health & Science University hospitals. He completed an internship in family practice at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago. He earned a medical degree and a master's degree from the Chicago Medical School. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa.

Katherine Puckett and her team of licensed psychotherapists are dedicated to meeting your emotional/psychological needs during your care. Puckett is a licensed clinical social worker and certified laughter leader, with more than 20 years of experience in human and social services and healthcare. She earned a master's degree in social work from Loyola University and is a doctoral candidate at the University of Chicago.

Board certified in plastic/reconstructive surgery and acupuncture, Dr. Ray has run private practices in both acupuncture and plastic/reconstructive surgery. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a medical degree from the University of Rochester Medical School, where he also completed a residency.

Dr. Redei has served as Director of the Matched Unrelated Donor Transplant Program at the Emory University School of Medicine and as assistant professor of hematology/oncology at the Winship Cancer Center. Board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology, Dr. Redei earned a medical degree from Semmelweiss Ignac Medical University. He completed a residency at New York Medical College, a fellowship in hematology at Temple University, and a fellowship in oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Dr. Sabath completed a residency in internal medicine at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois. Board certified, he earned a medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Since 1979, Dr. Sanchez has been an integral member and visionary leader of our surgical oncology team. During his tenure here, he has served as both Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery. Dr. Sanchez earned a medical degree from the Cebu Institute of Medicine in the Philippines. He later completed a dual residency in pathology and general surgery at St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Brooklyn.

Dr. Shah is board certified in internal medicine and oncology. He completed a residency at Mercy Hospital in Chicago and a fellowship in oncology-hematology at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. He spent a number of years in private practice. In addition, Dr. Shah served as an attending physician and chairman of the Department of Medicine at Lake Forest Hospital in suburban Chicago.

Dr. Staren has been listed in Best Doctors in America (Best Doctors, Inc.), America's Top Surgeons (Consumers Research Council), and Top Doctors: Chicago Metro Area (Castle Connelly). Dr. Staren graduated from Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. He completed his general surgery training at Rush University Medical Center and a surgical oncology fellowship at Rush and Cook County hospitals. He also earned a PhD in tumor immunobiology. Before joining CTCA, Dr. Staren was Chairman, Department of Surgery at Medical College of Ohio (MCO) and Medical Director of the MCO Cancer Institute.

Dr. Stephenson completed a residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, where he also completed internships in osteopathic and internal medicine. Board certified by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners, he earned a medical degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and an undergraduate degree from Wabash College.

Dr. Tan was recently deemed as one of Chicago's best doctors by Castle Connolly (Top Doctors: Chicago Metro Area). He has also been listed in the Guide to America's Top Pathologists. He is a graduate of the Cebu Institute of Medicine in the Philippines. He completed an anatomic and clinical pathology residency at the University of Illinois Metropolitan Group Hospitals.

Dr. Thompson joined CTCA after completing a fellowship in hematology-oncology at the University of South Florida, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. She completed a residency in internal medicine at University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Thompson earned a medical degree from the University of Miami. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida.

Prior to joining CTCA, Dr. Vashi served as a senior staff physician at the Henry Ford Medical Center in Woodhaven, Michigan. Before that, she held clinical positions both in Saudi Arabia and her native India. Dr. Vashi earned a medical degree and completed post-graduate training at Bombay University in India. She also completed an internal medicine residency at Michigan State University.

Dr. Vashi earned a medical degree at the University of Bombay. He then completed two residencies at Bombay's Goa Medical College, and subsequently at the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan. He completed a fellowship at the University of Michigan. Dr. Vashi is board certified by the American Boards of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology.

Dr. Williams specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of women with cancer of the reproductive organs. Before joining CTCA, she served as an assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Medical School. Dr. Williams earned a medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She completed a residency at Hartford Hospital and a fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine.