Epic Care is the FIRST practice in the San Francisco Bay Area to be accredited 
by the American College of Radiology (ACR)-American Society for 
Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in recognition of its excellent radiation oncology services.

What does ACR-ASTRO accreditation mean?

• Our facility has voluntarily gone through a vigorous peer-review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted [...]]]>

Epic Care is the FIRST practice in the San Francisco Bay Area to be accredited 
by the American College of Radiology (ACR)-American Society for 
Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in recognition of its excellent radiation oncology services.

What does ACR-ASTRO accreditation mean?

• Our facility has voluntarily gone through a vigorous peer-review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care.

• Our personnel are well qualified, through education and certification, to administer your radiation therapy treatments.

• Our equipment at our facilities meet or exceed national quality assurance and safety guidelines for the treatment you will receive.

The ACR-ASTRO seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety.

Date: Friday, May 18th, 2012

Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Location: Epic Care • 4721 Dallas Ranch Road • CA 94531

For more information see our Car Wash, Rummage & Bake Sale flyer

More than 7,000 Californians will be diagnosed with melanoma this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Dr. Michael Forrest, Epic Care Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, shares in the publications below the three tips everyone needs to know to arm themselves against harmful UV rays during Skin Cancer Awareness Month and every month.

Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: California Cancer & Research Institute (Epic Care) 400 Taylor Blvd (Buildings Main Lobby) Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Are you a cancer survivor? This event celebrates you. Please join us for an Ice Cream Social to kickoff  the Pleasant Hill Relay for Life. The Dillon [...]]]> Date: March 16th, 2012

Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: California Cancer & Research Institute (Epic Care) 400 Taylor Blvd (Buildings Main Lobby) Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Are you a cancer survivor? This event celebrates you. Please join us for an Ice Cream Social to kickoff  the Pleasant Hill Relay for Life. The Dillon Moore Academy of Irish Dancers will be performing.

For more information please call (925) 944-4898.

Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, earns Bay Area’s first ACR-ASTRO Accreditation for Radiation Oncology

March 5, 2012 (Bay Area, Cali.) – Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care, has been awarded a full, 3-year accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation [...]]]> Quality Cancer Care First

Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, earns Bay Area’s first ACR-ASTRO Accreditation for Radiation Oncology

March 5, 2012 (Bay Area, Cali.) – Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care, has been awarded a full, 3-year accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology (ASTRO) to all three of its radiation treatment facilities, located in Antioch, Dublin, and Pleasant Hill.  Epic Care is the first and only practice in the San Francisco Bay Area to earn this distinction.  It is another step in Epic Care’s 20 year history of providing the highest quality care to patients in a safe and supportive environment.

“Our first priority has always been to ensure our patients receive superior cancer treatment,” says Nicola Ally, M.D., Board Certified radiation oncologist and radiation oncology medical director at Epic Care. “As one of the East Bay’s most comprehensive cancer centers, this accreditation affirms our core philosophy that maintaining high quality standards is of up-most importance in improving our patients’ experience and outcome,” Dr. Ally states.

ACR-ASTRO accreditation is widely recognized as the gold standard in the measure of quality care in the field of radiation oncology. The ACR-ASTRO seal of accreditation is awarded only to facilities meeting specific National Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a rigorous peer-review evaluation by Board Certified radiation oncologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Patient care, safety and outcome, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The joint ACR-ASTRO Committee on Radiation Oncology Accreditation then reviews the findings and decides whether to grant accreditation. These accredited facilities are expected to continue to uphold high quality standards to maintain their accreditation.

The radiation oncology accreditation adds to Epic Care’s active ACR seal of accreditation in PET/CT imaging, also in the Antioch, Dublin and Pleasant Hill locations.

“We pride ourselves in providing compassionate cancer care, using proven state-of-the-art treatments including intensity modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, targeted brachytherapy and radiosurgery, while also offering access via responsible research and clinical trials to cutting-edge options for our patients,” explains K. Kenneth Chao, M.D., Board Certified radiation oncologist and task force lead in Epic Care’s accreditation process. “The ACR-ASTRO accreditation gives our patients the peace of mind that they are receiving the highest level of cancer care and recognizes the quality and hard work of our team”.

About The American College of Radiology (ACR):

The American College of Radiology is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

About The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO):

Radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, biologists, physician assistants and practice administrators comprise ASTRO’s nearly 10,000 members, making it the largest radiation oncology organization of its kind. These medical professionals, found at hospitals, cancer treatment centers and academic research facilities around the globe, make up the radiation therapy treatment teams that are critical in the fight against cancer. Together, these teams, treat more than 1 million cancer patients each year.

About Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care:

Epic Care was founded in the early 1990’s to offer patients world-class cancer care locally. Their philosophy is to create an innovative, compassionate and supportive environment that fosters healing of the mind, body and soul. Epic Care’s team of Board Certified experts specialize in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders, while enhancing the quality of delivery by combining education, training and expertise with a highly personal approach. Epic Care has ten care centers located throughout the East Bay, Calif. area.  Its advanced radiation therapy facilities are located in Antioch, Dublin, and Pleasant Hill.
For more information about Epic Care, please call (925) 875-1677 or visit www.epic-care.com.

March 5, 2012 (East Bay, Cali.) – Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care – a group of experts dedicated in the delivery of compassionate care to patients fighting cancer and blood disorders – is expanding its team of oncologists with two new physicians as it grows to [...]]]> Leading Oncologists Introduce New Cancer Care Center in Oakland

March 5, 2012 (East Bay, Cali.) – Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care – a group of experts dedicated in the delivery of compassionate care to patients fighting cancer and blood disorders – is expanding its team of oncologists with two new physicians as it grows to serve the Oakland, California community.

Ostap Melnyk, M.D. welcomes Larry Strieff, M.D. and Frank Santoli, M.D., all Board Certified medical oncologists, who will now be treating patients at Epic Care’s location in the historic Telegraph Lofts building. The office provides access to state-of-the-art medical oncology, hematology and infusion service for patients living in Oakland, Alameda, Berkley, Piedmont and other surrounding areas.

Operating multiple community-centric locations has been a pillar of the Epic Care practice for nearly 20 years. Dr. Ostap Melnyk, who has been an integral part of Epic Care since 1999 and leads the clinical trials and research department, is now spearheading the Oakland office opening.

“The Oakland physician team, including myself and Doctors Santoli and Strieff, is proud to bring our experience and commitment to the field of oncology to this community,” Dr. Melnyk says. “Our group hopes to have an immediate positive impact for local cancer patients.”

Dr. Melnyk received his medical training from the University of Chicago, Michael Reese Medical Center in Chicago, and the University of California, San Francisco where he also served as an assistant professor. Dr. Melnyk is Board Certified and his areas of special interest and expertise include clinical trials and novel therapeutics.

Larry Strieff, M.D.

“I am proud to be a part of a practice that values patients first and foremost,” says Dr. Larry Strieff.

A longtime and highly respected Oakland area oncologist, Dr. Strieff began his career at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and continued his education in medicine at the Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco Medical Center. He later served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and attained the rank of Major. After returning to the East Bay area, he completed extensive medical training at the University of California, Irvine and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine Cancer Research Institute.

“Ethics have and always will be key to my practice of medicine,” Dr. Strieff explains. For 15 years, he served as the chair and founder of the Medical Ethics Committee at the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. During that time, he also chaired the Bioethics Committee for the Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) and remains a member today. “Every patient at Epic Care is always ensured compassionate and comprehensive care by me and my peers,” Dr. Strieff says.

Frank Santoli, M.D.

“Joining Epic Care gives me the opportunity to provide individualized care for each patient who walks through our doors,” explains Dr. Frank Santoli.

After completing his biochemistry degree at Colgate University in New York, Dr. Santoli earned his medical degree at Georgetown University. During his fellowship and residency, he conducted research with the palliative care department in epidemiology of symptoms and palliative treatments. Dr. Santoli joins Epic Care from Big Bend Hospice and the Southwest Oncology Group in Florida.

“Building a relationship with patients is just as important as treating them,” says Dr. Santoli. “As an oncologist, I know my patients trust me to walk them through one of the most difficult points in their lives.”

Doctors Melnyk, Strieff and Santoli will be practicing medical oncology out of Epic Care’s new Oakland office located at 2633 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 104, Oakland, CA 94612.

Dr. Santoli also cares for patients at the Hayward office on 27206 Calaroga Avenue, Suite 208, Hayward, CA 94545. Dr. Melnyk practices medical oncology out of Oakland, Hayward, and the San Leandro care center located at 13847 E. 14th Street, Suite 217, San Leandro, CA 94578.

About Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care:

Epic Care was founded in the early 1990’s to offer patients world-class cancer care locally. Their philosophy is to create an innovative, compassionate and supportive environment that fosters healing of the mind, body and soul. Epic Care’s team of Board-Certified experts specialize in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders, while enhancing the quality of delivery by combining education, training and expertise with a highly personal approach. Epic Care has ten care centers located throughout the East Bay, Calif. area.

For more information about Epic Care or to schedule an appointment in Oakland with Doctors Melnyk, Strieff or Santoli, please call (510) 830-3100 or visit www.epic-care.com.

Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, Seeing Patients at New Oakland Location

February 28, 2012 (East Bay, Cali.) – For over two decades the physicians at Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, have been providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer care [...]]]> Local Oncology Practice Brings Service Closer to Home with Opening of Tenth Care Center

Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, Seeing Patients at New Oakland Location

February 28, 2012 (East Bay, Cali.) – For over two decades the physicians at Epic Care – Partners in Cancer Care, have been providing state-of-the-art, comprehensive cancer care in the East Bay area. Now marking the opening of their tenth facility, this team of experts is providing easily accessible chemotherapy, infusion and hematology services for patients living in Oakland, Alameda, Berkley, Piedmont and the surrounding Alameda County neighborhoods.

“Our patients are our focus. They are the driving force behind introducing our newest office in Oakland,” explains Ostap Melnyk, M.D. Board Certified medical oncologist at Epic Care.

“Treating patients with care and compassion is just as important as treating the disease itself,” says Larry Strieff, M.D., a Board Certified medical oncologist who is joining the Epic Care team after serving the Oakland community for nearly 20 years.

This newest Epic Care office is designed to make quality cancer care accessible to more patients. “We understand how difficult every step of the treatment process is and our goal is to make our patients’ lives that much easier by providing convenient, community-based care centers,” Dr. Strieff explains.

“We live and work here in Oakland. These are our friends and neighbors we’re helping through this battle,” says Dr. Melnyk. Together, the physicians serving the Oakland community, Doctors Ostap Melnyk, Frank Santoli and Larry Strieff, bring more than 80 years of combined experience in cancer treatment.

Dr. Melnyk also heads the clinical research department at Epic Care, uncovering new and innovative solutions for cancer care in a responsible and safe way. “It is important we are able to provide the best and proven treatments, while still offering access to new and cutting-edge options for our patients,” says Dr. Melnyk.

The Epic Care Oakland office is located in the historic Telegraph Lofts at 2633 Telegraph Avenue, Suite 104, Oakland, CA 94612. To make an appointment, please call (510) 830-3100.

About Epic Care, Partners in Cancer Care:

Epic Care was founded in the early 1990’s to offer patients world-class cancer care locally. Their philosophy is to create an innovative, compassionate and supportive environment that fosters healing of the mind, body and soul. Epic Care’s team of Board Certified experts specialize in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of cancer and blood disorders, while enhancing the quality of delivery by combining education, training and expertise with a highly personal approach. Epic Care has ten care centers located throughout the East Bay, Calif. area. For more information about Epic Care visit www.epic-care.com.

Epic Care has investigated our supply chain and [...]]]> February 16, 2012: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning Health care professionals and patients about a counterfeit version of Avastin 400mg/16mL, which may have been purchased and used by some medical practices in the United States. Avastin is an injectable medicine used to treat cancer.

Epic Care has investigated our supply chain and confirmed that we do not have and will not receive the counterfeit version of Avastin. As an extra precaution we have also been informed and trained on how to identify the counterfeit version of Avastin.

The Avastin used at Epic Care is FDA approved and purchased through legitimate licensed sources in the United States. Our Avastin supply is safe to use and our patients have not been put at risk.

Time: 10 AM to 12 PM

Location: Epic Care • 4721 Dallas Ranch Road • Anitoch, CA 94531

Look Good…Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women in active cancer treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of treatment.

For more information or to register for this session [...]]]> Date: Monday, February 27th, 2012

Time: 10 AM to 12 PM

Location: Epic Care • 4721 Dallas Ranch Road • Anitoch, CA 94531

Look Good…Feel Better is a free program that teaches beauty techniques to women in active cancer treatment to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of treatment.

For more information or to register for this session please call the American Cancer Society 1-800-277-2345

Click here to visit the Look Good…Feel Better website