25 Years of Coordinated, Comprehensive Cancer Care

If you had cancer and lived in Solano County 25 years ago, chances are you received care far from home. That changed in 1987 when the NorthBay Cancer Center opened in Fairfield, giving Solano County residents access to comprehensive, sophisticated cancer care.

In 1996, NorthBay Cancer Center became the first community-based cancer center in Solano County to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer, one of many firsts the NorthBay Cancer Center has claimed during the past quarter century. The facility was also the county’s first non-military radiation oncology treatment center with Florian Ploch, M.D., an expert in radiation therapy, as the center’s first physician. Dr. Ploch still heads the radiation therapy department today.

Medical oncology and clinical trials were added in 1993. The medical oncology team now includes Brian Vikstrom, M.D., James Long, M.D., and Jonathan López, M.D., all board-certified internists/oncologists/hematologists. “Drs. Long, López and Vikstrom are our chemotherapy experts,” says Charlene Thompson, cancer data coordinator.

The center’s radiation therapy department employs intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), designed to maximize tumor eradication while preserving healthy tissue. This results in fewer complications, reduced side effects and better out-comes for patients with even the most complicated cancers. The Cancer Center team also uses other cutting-edge treatments in the fight against cancer, including immunotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted cancer therapy.

The center’s clinical and management team combines experience and training. All Cancer Center nurses maintain active Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Provider Cards, obtained by demonstrating knowledge in chemotherapy and biotherapy administration and management of side effects. The entire infusion nursing staff are Oncology Certified Registered Nurses (OCN), which is NorthBay’s standard requirement for infusion nurses. Additionally, the team includes the first board-certified oncology pharmacist and the first board-certified oncology social worker in Solano County.

With an impressive combination of the latest technology, the latest treatment options, a wide breadth of services and the most experienced and highly trained staff in the area, the NorthBay Cancer Center has ensured it will continue to offer Solano County the best in cancer care for many years to come.

1 comment on “25 Years of Coordinated, Comprehensive Cancer Care

  1. As a patient of Dr. Long, I can attest to his compassion, concern and gentleness in manner and speech. These qualities are only surpassed by his knowledge and experience. He and his team of oncology nurses and office staff are surpassed by none.

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