Every day Mosaic Life Care Cancer Care is increasing the number of cancer survivors in our community through a unique, personalized approach to each patient’s treatment plan. Our expert staff of doctors, nurses and caregivers is dedicated to working together to provide the best outcomes for each patient based on their individual needs.

We also belong to the Mayo Clinic Care Network which gives our doctors access to specialists at Mayo Clinic when you need it most.

Meet the Team

Mosaic Life Care Cancer Care provides every patient with a team of health-care professionals from a variety of backgrounds. The teams meet regularly to discuss the patient’s diagnosis and individual cancer care treatment plan, and play an integral role in delivering the highest quality care and best results to all our cancer patients.

Learn more about the various specialties and caregiver roles that comprise these teams.

  • Rony Abou-Jawde, MD
  • Pamela Lotz, APRN
  • Gopichand Pendurti, MD
  • Rajagopal Rangineni, MD
  • Lauren Short, APRN
  • Robert Weigand, MD
  • Bonnie Goins, MD

Medical Oncologists

Medical oncologists specialize in diagnosing and treating cancer using chemotherapy, hormone therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. They also coordinate with other specialists to deliver treatment and provide supportive care to each patient.

Hospitalists

Hospitalists are physicians dedicated to the delivery of comprehensive medical care for hospitalized patients. Mosaic Life Care has two hospitalist physicians dedicated to caring for inpatient oncology patients. They communicate and coordinate with all team members involved in a patient’s care, and upon discharge, they ensure a safe transition from the hospital to home.

Radiation Oncologists

Radiation oncologists specialize in treating cancer through radiation therapy which uses high energy waves to kill tumor cells through a precisely targeted approach. They work with a medical physicist to create a personalized plan for each patient.

Medical Physicists and Dosimetrists

Medical physicists and dosimetrists work with radiation oncologists to develop and implement a radiation therapy treatment plan for patients. They also ensure patients receive the right dose during radiation therapy treatments and perform quality control on radiation therapy technology.

Nurse Practitioners

Nurse practitioners have earned a masters- or doctorate-level education in nursing. They work with doctors and other members of the care team to create and implement a treatment plan focusing on the patient and their loved ones. Additionally, they are responsible for ordering medications, treatments, diagnostic testing and performing some procedures. Nurse practitioners play a key role in long-term follow-up care for survivors.

Nurses

Cancer care nurses help patients throughout their cancer-treatment experience and are often the caregivers who have the most interaction with patients. They provide education, monitor treatment, administer therapies, offer emotional support and help patients and loved ones understand what to expect before, during and after treatment. These nurses also collaborate with all members of the care team to communicate information and coordinate appointments while focusing primarily on the patient’s needs. Mosaic Life Care has a large team of cancer care nurses who play integral roles in care teams.

Radiation Therapy Nurses

Radiation therapy nurses assist radiation oncologists with patient visits, assess symptoms, deliver medication and help manage side effects.

Surgeons

Surgeons work with the care team when a patient’s treatment plan requires the surgical removal of tumors. Mosaic Life Care’s vast team of surgeons have various specialties and surgeons join a patient’s care team on an as-needed basis.

Pathologists

Pathologists identify and classify types of cancer through various lab tests. They also determine the stage of cancer and look for genetic abnormalities.

Radiologists

Radiologists are doctors who use imaging technology like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds to examine, interpret results and accurately diagnose cancer in patients. Mosaic Life Care has a team of radiologists that interpret imaging results and assist care teams with diagnoses.

Genetic Counselors

Genetic counselors are specially trained to help patients and their families understand genetic risk factors for certain types of cancer. They review and interpret results of a patient’s genetic screening tests along with information from their personal and family histories. Genetic counselors also refer patients and their families to psychologists and counselors trained to help them cope with challenges that may arise from genetic testing. Mosaic Life Care partners with Informed DNA to provide care teams with access to genetic cancer specialists.

Dietitians

Dietitians are health-care professionals who help with meal planning for cancer patients during their hospital stay and after treatment. They conduct a nutrition assessment for each patient and develop customized meal plans based on individual patient needs.

Social Workers/Care Navigators

Social workers and care navigators provide emotional support throughout the patient’s care. They provide education and one-on-one consultations to explain pathology, medical terminology, diagnoses and treatment options as recommended by the care team. Social workers and care navigators also help coordinate care between team members with a focus on the patient’s personal needs, as well as schedule and coordinate appointments and facilitate communication with the providers.

Another key role they play is identifying needs and providing information and referrals to patients for financial services, community resources, social services, transportation assistance, lodging, physical therapy, dietary consultations and emotional support.

Financial Navigation

All new patients are screened by the Financial Navigator and will meet with a staff member within the first two visits to Cancer Care. The Financial Navigator will explain your insurance benefits and answer questions about cost of treatment. Additionally, staff will:

  • Look for co-payment assistance from pharmaceutical companies for uninsured and underinsured patients.
  • Contact foundations that assist underinsured patients with deductibles and copays.
  • Secure assistance with insurance premiums for patients who meet specific eligibility requirements.
  • Help eligible patients enroll in health insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace by connecting them with certified application counselors.
  • Help eligible patients enroll in Medicaid by connecting them with state certified navigation partners.
  • Help eligible patients enroll in the Social Security Disability program Access additional benefits through your insurance plan, such as transportation or lodging, if available.
  • Access funds supported by generous community donations that assist cancer patients in treatment.

For more information about financial navigation, please contact (816) 271-7280.

Mayo Clinic Care Network

Mosaic Life Care is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which allows Mosaic Life Care physicians to collaborate with specialists at Mayo Clinic when our patients need it most. This relationship provides Mosaic Life Care with:

  • Access to additional clinical resources
  • Innovative ways to provide the best possible care
  • eConsults where Mosaic Life Care providers connect with specialists at Mayo Clinic to review treatment plans
  • Access to second opinions from Mayo Clinic providers

Tumor Board

Mosaic Life Care’s Tumor Board is a regularly held meeting where multiple doctors who are experts in their specialty join forces as a “board” to evaluate cancer patients, review diagnoses, discuss individual treatment plans and make recommendations. This sometimes involves eConsults with a team of experts from Mayo Clinic. The Tumor Board provides our patients with a comprehensive and personalized approach to their treatment and allows our providers to develop the absolute best treatment plan for each patient.

Contact Us

If you have been recently diagnosed with cancer, contact us at (816) 271-1301 to schedule an appointment in any of our four locations.