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Home > Heart and Vascular Institute > How is Gamma Knife surgery performed

Saint Joseph's Gamma Knife team

The Gamma Knife team at Saint Joseph's consists of a neurosurgeon, a radiation oncologist, a medical physicist, and a registered nurse for each patient treatment.  In addition, the center employs two radiation oncologists, seven neurosurgeons, two medical physicists, and two registered nurses. The multi-disciplinary team collaborates to design and deliver a treatment plan that provides optimum curative or palliative care for each patient.  The neurosurgeon and the radiation oncologist have specialized training and the expertise for each phase of the treatment. 

Saint Joseph’s outstanding reputation for patient care combined with unparalleled physician support supports  an environment confidence and comfort for patients and physicians.

Neurosurgeons

There are seven neurosurgeons trained to perform Gamma Knife® radiosurgery at Saint Joseph's Hospital.  The neurosurgeons are responsible for the identifying the area to be treated and placement of the head frame.  They are:

Radiation Oncologists

Saint Joseph’s has two radiation oncologists trained to perform Gamma Knife procedures. As part of the Radiation Oncology department of the Hospital , their office is conveniently located in the Center for Cancer Care & Research on the hospital campus. The radiation oncologists prescribe each patient’s treatment plan and radiation dosage for the Gamma Knife procedure. They are:

  • Nancy Wiggers, MD
  • Peter Possert, MD

Medical Physicists

Saint Joseph's Hospital employs two medical physicists. As part of the multi-disciplinary team, medical physicists work with physicians to develop each patient’s treatment plan and develop and direct the Center’s quality assurance programs. They are:

  • Roger Sankey, Ph.D, Radiation Oncology Department
  • Michael Mitchum, Ph.D.

Nurses

The nurse manager of the Gamma Knife® Center is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the treatment day, including registration, insurance precertification, patient education and preparation, coordination of physician reports and patient data, and the actual patient care associated with the treatment day.  In addition, the center employs one additional staff nurse to assist with patient care on treatment days. These nurses are:

  • Rebecca Knight Heitkam, RN, BSN, CCRN, Nurse Manager, Gamma Knife Center
  • Francis Edberg, RN, BSN, Staff Nurse, Gamma Knife Center

For more information, please contact:

Rebecca O. Heitkam, RN, BSN, CCRN, coordinator
Gamma Knife Center
Saint Joseph's Hospital
678-843-5513
or toll free at 1-866-SJGAMMA

or email
rheitkam@sjha.org

 
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