Meet the Cancer Experts
Saint Vincent Cancer Center provides patients with a dedicated team of experts that specialize in cancer care, research and treatment. The Cancer Center staff is dedicated to helping each patient through their journey with cancer from screening to diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation. At the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center it is the collaboration among the surgical oncologist, the general surgeons, family practitioners, The Regional Cancer Center, and the patient that leads to the best possible outcomes.
To meet some of the regions leading experts in care, please read below.
The Region's First Surgical Oncologist
Oncology Nurse Navigation 
The Saint Vincent Cancer Center has the regions first surgical oncologist, Hank C. Hill, MD. Dr. Hill has completed a five-year general surgery residency followed by a three-year fellowship at one of only fourteen surgical oncology programs approved by the Society of Surgical Oncology. As a surgical oncologist, Dr. Hill works in collaboration with family practitioners and other specialists to add a new level of skill and experience to the care of cancer patients. This results in improved outcomes for more complex cases. Clinical Nurse Specialist
At the Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center, the patient’s needs are carefully coordinated by an oncology clinical nurse specialist who acts as a liaison between the patient, physician and clinical staff.
The clinical nurse specialist visits cancer patients on a regular basis to discuss their individual treatment options, progress and nursing care as well as providing education based on a patient’s needs. The oncology clinical nurse specialist also educates the staff to be certain the team is always up-to-date on the latest cancer treatments and nursing care.
When you learn you may have cancer or receive an actual diagnosis of the disease, it is often a difficult, confusing and anxious time in your life. You will have questions and concerns about your health, and you may need help in getting the care you need. To address this, The Saint Vincent Cancer Care Center has created two new patient navigation programs for individuals dealing with cancer. They include:
- Surgical Oncology Patient Navigation: A program to help cancer patients admitted to the hospital after their surgery
- Breast Health Navigation: A program for patients dealing with breast cancer
Navigation is a system in which a registered nurse navigator works closely with you to help eliminate or reduce barriers to cancer care and “navigate” you through the health care system by:
- Answering questions and addressing concerns
- Helping you fill out insurance forms
- Helping you find ways to pay for health care if you don’t have insurance
- Directing you to health care services for further diagnosis or treatment
- Directing you to local resources and support
- Helping you keep track of appointments
- Helping you with transportation issues
- Helping you find more information on health care
At Saint Vincent, Peggy Camino, RNS, BSN is the Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigator. If you have surgery at Saint Vincent, you will be contacted by Peggy.
Navigation Improves Outcomes for Breast CancerAccording to Oncology Issues magazine, a national study recently showed that navigated patients were 29 percent more likely to follow up on a questionable mammogram with a breast biopsy and that those with a navigator had biopsies completed 33 percent faster. Nurse navigation also had a positive impact on five-year survival rates because of the increase in earlier detection.
If you receive breast cancer services at Saint Vincent, you will be contacted by the breast health navigator. If you have questions, you can call 814-452-7765.
The Surgical Oncology Nurse Navigation Program is funded through a grant from the Cancer Treatment and Research Fund of the Saint Vincent Foundation. Those who are interested in contributing this fund may do so by contacting the foundation at 814-452-5073. The Breast Health Navigation Program is funded through a grant from the Pittsburgh affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Saint Vincent Cancer Center also works with the Regional Cancer Center providing a range of experts in cancer care from screenings and diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. Saint Vincent Cancer Center is proud of their relationship with the Regional Cancer Center and of the expertise that together they bring to the region and the community.