Patty,

I am a caregiver for Carol who has recently completed radiation and chemo. No surgery is planned but her doctors are monitoring her progress very closely.

Carol had seen an ENT in December and was quickly referred to Dr. Nelson Goldman, ENT, Shands Jacksonville, UF Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty Bldg. Dr. Goldman's specialty is Head and Neck surgery and is head of the Combined Tumor Board. Being aware of Carol's financial situation, lost her job because she became too sick, he took sponsorship of her, and pushed for Carol to receive 100% full rating city contract (also known as "Shands Card"). She eventually got medicaid, but that's another story. Dr. Goldman is a no nonsense Doctor, up to date on everything OC.

Carol had her radiation treatment at the UF Proton Institute, Shands, and her radiation oncologist is Dr. Robert Malyapa, UF Radiation Oncology. Another no nonsense Doctor, tells you like it is, and expects you to follow his instructions to the t. When Dr. Malyapa wasn't available Carol saw Dr. Randal Henderson. Unfortunately there was one doctor that kept patients waiting.....

Carol's Medical Oncologist is Dr. Dat Pham, Hematology/Oncology-Pulmonary Division at Pavilion II. Another no nonsense Doctor who also stopped in to see Carol while getting her chemo.

Except for a few hiccups, Carol has received excellent care. She really believes she got lucky when she saw the first ENT, Dr. Lawrence Lisska (private practice) who referred her to Dr. Goldman. They are old friends and to make a long story short, Dr. Lisska was Dr Goldman's ex-wife's Doctor. Sounds like a General Hospital storyline. LOL

Shands Jacksonville takes up a couple of blocks, easily accessible from I95, I10 and surrounding areas. Initially it's a maze, but you quickly learn where to go. ALL the Doctors are employed by Shands and the paperwork you sign and the posted signs in every office remind you of that fact.

It's a VERY busy hospital, especially the ER, as accident victims, victims of violence mostly are taken to Shands. The helicopters are, unfortunately, flying in and out all the time.

There is a VA clinic by Shands and the clinic does share some space at Shands. The VA Hospital for this area including GA is in Gainesville. From Jacksonville heading West on I10 is about 45 minutes to an hour drive. Shands-Gainesville is nearby.

There are other hospitals here; Memorial, Baptist, St. Luke's and Mayo, but I hadn't done much research of these hospitals for OC. I have to plug Memorial Hospital however for Cardiovascular. They took very good care of me when I had a heart attack last August. Within 45 minutes of calling 911, I was in surgery having 2 stents placed. I was also "lucky" as the Surgeon just "happened" to be there. If I remember correctly Memorial does have a Cyberknife Division.

I would recommend Shands-Jacksonville because of the care Carol has received for her OC. When you get to GA, have the Doctor refer you to Dr. Nelson Goldman, if you decide to go with Shands. You also may want to inquire with the Doctor about other military members that have come to Shands for treatment.

WOW, relocating from AK to GA. That is definitely a change in scenery. LOL. Welcome to the East Coast.

Linda
Navy-RET