Posts Tagged ‘Ohio Cancer Specialists’
Dan Potokar Story
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009Daniel Potokar was a rising star on the legendary Ohio State University football team when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in late 2007.
Even after many grueling months of treatment, which included surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Dan’s battle with cancer was not yet won. In the spring of 2008, the cancer had viciously returned to the then 20-year-old’s brain.
Dan was referred to The Zangmeister Center where Dr. Tarek Chidiac put the former OSU receiver on an aggressive full-brain radiation treatment and performed Stereotactic Radiosurgery, a procedure similar to laser surgery, which eventually destroyed the remaining cancerous tumors.
“I always felt very comfortable at The Zangmesister Center,” Dan shares. “Every morning I was greeted with smiles from everyone from the receptionist to my doctor. I also had the two most amazing nurses who took great care of me.”
Dan now spends his time getting back to the things he loves most in life: his fiancée, Stephanie, his two canine companions, Maggie and Lucy, hitting the gym and serving as an assistant coach to the OSU Buckeyes.
“My cancer stole a year of my life, but reinforced my belief in staying positive,” he says. “Always believing that even the worst situations will get better helps me through my everyday life.”
In February 2009, an MRI revealed that all five tumors in Dan’s brain had disappeared. On October 1, 2009, he was officially in remission.
“I have always looked at things two ways—you can get down and be depressed or you can put a smile on your face and remedy the situation.”
Dan’s still smiling.
Patrick C. Elwood, M.D.
Monday, August 24th, 2009
After receiving his medical degree from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Dr. Elwood completed his internship at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, then attended Flight Surgeons School at Randolph Air Force Base. After completing his internal medicine residency at the University of Nebraska, Dr. Elwood served as chief resident for an additional year. He completed his fellowship in the Hematology-Oncology Division at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Dr. Elwood served in the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon and later on active duty in public health service. From 1994 to 2000, Dr. Elwood was lead clinical investigator and served on the attending staff in the Lymphoma Clinic at the Developmental Chemotherapy Section/National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health. Dr. Elwood is the recipient of the EEO Officer’s Recognition Award, the Public Health Service Commendation Medal, the Public Health Service Bicentennial Unit Commendation and the National Research Service Award. He is a member of the American Society of Hematology, American Association for Cancer Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Community Oncology Alliance and Columbus Medical Association, Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Hematology Oncology Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Elwood is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine, and serves as President of The Mark H. Zangmeister Center.
Taral Patel, M.D.
Monday, August 24th, 2009
Dr. Patel is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology. He received his M.B.B.S. from Baroda Medical College at Maharaja Sayairao University in Gujarat, India, where he completed his internship and residency in pathology. Formerly a research associate at the University of Illinois at Chicago, he completed his residency in internal medicine at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital and his fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Patel is a principal investigator of multiple phase II and phase III clinical trials and an author of many peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Patel is a member of the Community Oncology Alliance, Columbus Medical Association, The Ohio State Medical Association, the Ohio Hematology Oncology Society and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Haven of Hope
Friday, August 21st, 2009
HAVEN OF HOPE CANCER FOUNDATION
Located on the third floor of The Zangmeister Center, the Haven of Hope Cancer Foundation provides programs, resources and services to support patients and their loved ones. Led by a team of Licensed Independent Social Workers experienced in oncology social work, the mission of Haven of Hope is to promote the physical, emotional, spiritual and financial well being of cancer patients, survivors and their families along the journey.
