The Department of Radiation Oncology's excellent service starts with our team of radiation oncologists, physicists, nurses, therapists, dosimetrists and other clinical staff working together to determine and deliver the ideal treatment for each patient. Our experienced and enthusiastic team members are dedicated to improving the health of our patients through safe and effective care.  Our multidisciplinary team works collaboratively to design an individual treatment plan for each patient. The treatment team typically includes radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation oncology nurses, radiation therapists and dosimetrists.  However, depending on the type of cancer, other cancer center specialists may join the team as well.

 Physicians:

Richard Valicenti, M.D.
Department Chairperson and Professor

Our board certified radiation oncologists consult with physicists to develop treatment plans for patients using state-of-the-art technology.  As part of the UC Davis Cancer Center, our doctors may also collaborate with a multidisciplinary team working to determine the best course of treatment for the individual patient. Each of our radiation oncologists centers their clinical practice and research around a specific field or disease.  They offer innovative, high quality treatment at the most competitive cost available.

Physicists are essential to planning patient treatments and to ensuring the accuracy, efficiency and safety of our radiation delivery systems. Our physicists get certified by either the American Board of Radiology or the American Board of Medical Physics, and contribute extensively to the educational, research, and clinical goals of our department. Radiation oncology treatments depend heavily on the work of our physicists assuring the highest quality of patient care.

Our radiobiology program pursues research bridging basic and clinical aspects of cancer biology. Research takes a multidisciplinary approach, focusing on questions of clinical relevance to the treatment of cancer. Our radiobiologists explore the genesis, progression, treatment and prevention of cancer and teach and mentor medical students, postgraduate residents and fellows in laboratories and classroom settings.

Our radiation oncology  fellows and residents are highly qualified licensed physicians pursuing their advanced subspecialty training in radiation oncology. Part of our team, these doctors work closely with the radiation oncologist who coordinates patient care.

All of our nurses are at least R.N.s and most are also certified by the national oncology nursing board. Oncology-certified nurses must pass a written exam demonstrating advanced knowledge and competence in caring for people with cancer. The certification reflects the quality of our clinical services and professional nursing practices.

Radiation therapists are highly skilled members of the radiation oncology team. Their duties include accurately recording, interpreting and administering the treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists. For the patient, radiation therapists provides human contact during the course of treatments, explaining the procedure and after effects, positioning the patient, and ensuring the patient's comfort and safety during simulation and treatments.

Medical dosimetrists use their knowledge of anatomy, computers and radiation therapy technology to generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.

The dosimetrist uses computers to determine how a patient's prescribed treatment plan designed by the radiation oncologist in consultation with a physicist should be delivered per exact radiation dosage and field placement technique. Although the dosimetrists are essential members of the radiation oncology team, they do not always have contact with patients they treat.

Other professionals on our radiation oncology team help patients with nutrition, provide emotional support or assist with practical matters like housing and transportation. Behind the scene, electrical engineers, computer programmers and administration provide technical and personnel support.