Our People

Older Adult Cancer Care Program: Our People

Older Adult Cancer Clinic

 

Leadership Core

Melisa Wong

Melisa L. Wong, MD, MAS 

OACC Program Lead, Medical Oncology Lead
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine
Dr. Wong is a thoracic medical oncologist who cares for patients with lung cancer and other thoracic malignancies with a special focus on caring for older adults. Dr. Wong and her research team study the impact of lung cancer treatment on functional status and quality of life in older adults. In addition, Dr. Wong collaborates closely with geriatrician and palliative medicine physician Dr. Natalie Young to provide personalized care for older adults with lung cancer. 

Older Adult Cancer Clinic

Rebecca L. Olin, MD, MSCE
OACC Program Hematology Lead
Associate Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine
Dr. Olin is a hematologist who specializes in bone marrow transplantation in older adults. She serves as the Medical Director for Inpatient Malignant Hematology.  Her clinical expertise encompasses treating acute leukemia, myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative disorders, and aplastic anemia. Dr. Olin's research focuses on understanding how best to treat blood cancers in older adults, including studies of novel therapies in older adults with leukemia and the effects of functional status on bone marrow transplant outcomes.  

Melisa Wong

Emily Finlayson, MD, MS, FACS
OACC Program Surgery Lead
Professor and Vice Chair for Faculty and Development, Department of Surgery 
Dr. Finlayson is a colorectal surgeon and Director of the UCSF Center for Surgery in Older Adults (CSOA). Her clinical areas of expertise include colon and rectal cancer, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, with a focus on minimally invasive surgical techniques. Her research program includes population-based analyses, clinical trials, and qualitative research on surgical outcomes focused on frail older adults. 

 

C.Perissinotto

Carla Perissinotto, MD, MHS
OACC Program Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Co-Lead
Associate Professor, UCSF Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine
Dr. Perissinotto is the Associate Chief for Geriatric Clinical Programs at UCSF. She oversees and manages both inpatient and outpatient clinical programs at UCSF including Care at Home, geriatrics consultation for patients with and without cancer, the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) unit at Moffitt-Long Hospital, orthopedic co-management program, and additional geriatrics programs in development. Dr. Perissinotto is especially interested in understanding the impact of loneliness and social isolation in older adults. 

 

young

Natalie C. Young, MD
OACC Program Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Co-Lead
Assistant Professor, UCSF Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine
Dr. Natalie Young is a dually trained geriatrics and palliative medicine physician and clinician educator. Her clinical interests include geriatric assessment for older adults with cancer, palliative care through the UCSF Symptom Management Service, home-based palliative care and primary care, and transitional care for older adults. As a clinician educator, Dr. Young aims to improve geriatrics education throughout the UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center including trainees, physicians, nurses, and other allied health providers. 

 

Members

Hematology/Oncology:

  • Carling Ursem, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Geriatrics/Palliative Medicine:

  • Candace Kim, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatrics
  • Laura Perry Fernandez, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatrics
  • Stephanie Rogers, MD
    Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatrics
    Medical Director, UCSF Acute Care for Elders Unit, Inpatient Geriatric Consults

Radiation Oncology:

Surgery:

Nursing:

  • Sharyn Boissevain Chen, RN
    Transplant Coordinator, Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant
  • Amanda Ernzer, RN
    Nurse, Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant
  • Claire Flatley, RN
    Nurse, Thoracic Oncology and Sarcoma
  • Cami Lenett, RN, MS
    Nurse Manager, Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant
Pharmacy:
  • Son Ho, PharmD, BCOP
    Clinical Pharmacist, Oncology
    Assistant Professor, UCSF School of Pharmacy
  • Joon Hwang, PharmD
    Clinical Pharmacist, Oncology
  • Mimi Lo, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP
    Clinical Pharmacist, Hematologic Malignancies/BMT
    Assistant Professor, UCSF School of Pharmacy
  • Rebecca Young, PharmD, BCOP
    Clinical Pharmacist, Hematologic Malignancies/BMT
    Assistant Professor, UCSF School of Pharmacy

Physical Therapy:

  • Maurine (Laura) Coco, PT, MSPT
    Physical Therapist, UCSF Health
  • Elizabeth Eckels, PT, DPT, GCS
    Physical Therapist, UCSF Health
  • Michelle Oberst, PT, DPT, CEEAA
    Physical Therapist, UCSF Health

Psycho-oncology:

Cancer Center:

  • Chris Pollak
    Director of Operations Strategy, Cancer Services Practice Manager, Symptom Management Service
  • Janett Zarate
    Practice Supervisor, UCSF Helen Diller Comprehensive Cancer Center