Prince George, B.C.- The newest person added to the new Northern Cancer Centre’s payroll is now in Prince George, and is wrapping up his first week of work.

 

Dr. Suresh Katakkar joins the centre as a medical oncologist.  A medical oncologist is a physician that diagnoses and treats cancer through chemotherapy and hormone therapy. A medical oncologist will recommend treatment programs and coordinates with other professionals in the delivery of care.

 

Dr. Katakkar has also been appointed as the Regional Professional Practice Leader in Medical Oncology in the North for the B.C. Cancer Agency.

 

Dr. Katakkar has been practicing for over 35 years and was most recently in practice in Tuscon Arizona.

 

The cold Canadian winters won’t be any surprise to him as he did his residency in Ottawa and   Saskatoon and his Fellowship in Edmonton at the Ww Cross Cancer Institute.

 

Dr. Katakkar joins Dr. Robert Olson who is part of the provincial Radiation Therapy Program which will bring service to the North for the first time when the new centre is opened in late 2012.

Other key positions that are being recruited for the BC Cancer Agency Centre for the North include  additional medical oncologists and radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, social workers and pharmacists.