13 reasons why you should choose Salem Oncology Center for your cancer treatment

Philip A. Salem, M.D., President of Salem Oncology Center (SOC), is the doctor responsible for treating every patient at the Center. He has more than 50 years of experience in cancer medicine and research. He trained at two prestigious cancer centers in the U.S.: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center established a Salem Cancer Research Chair as a tribute to his contributions to cancer medicine.

Dr. Salem has the flexibility and freedom to choose what he considers to be the best treatment for each patient based on science. He is not limited by an institutional protocol or by insurance policies as Salem Oncology Center does not honor insurance or third-party payers. Dr. Salem believes that adhering to insurance requirements would significantly obstruct delivering the best care.

Salem Oncology Center has on staff an experienced medical oncologist, Dr. Khaled Jabboury, and an experienced internist, Dr. William McCallum, who help Dr. Salem deliver the best possible care for his patients.

Patients at Salem Oncology Center are seen daily by doctors. Dr. Salem believes that daily contact between doctor and patient provides a high level of monitoring of ongoing care that can make a difference in patient outcomes.

Supportive treatment is an integral component of anticancer therapy as it helps reduce the side effects of anticancer drugs and improves the quality of life as much as possible.

The same doctor and nurse team see patients daily, including on weekends and holidays. This assures smooth and uninterrupted continuity of care. The Center functions like a day hospital and is open every day of the year.

Patients have direct access to doctors and nurses. They may call Salem Oncology Center at any time. The patient's familiar clinical team can respond if a doctor determines that the patient needs care during the night.

Imaging studies (usually x-rays) are discussed with radiologist Randall Stenoien, M.D., Director of Houston Medical Imaging. Dr. Stenoien has worked with Dr. Salem for over 25 years and is thoroughly apprised of every patient’s medical background. Even when imaging studies are read at the imaging center by one or more experts, Dr. Stenoien presents and discusses them with Dr. Salem via group consultation in the presence of the patient and family. This mechanism, which is unique to Salem Oncology Center, provides a thorough and appropriate discussion of the findings among Dr. Stenoien, Dr. Salem, the patient, and the family, which allows the patient and family members to ask Dr. Stenoien or Dr. Salem specific questions about the x-rays.

Dr. Salem firmly believes in the power of science and knowledge, but he also believes that knowledge alone in cancer treatment is not enough to help the patient achieve a cure. Cancer patients need to be embraced by love and compassion. A patient should be given real hope, not false hope, and a reason to persevere in the treatment. This human dimension to the treatment of cancer is essential. The patient should be treated as a beloved, unique person. Patients should feel that the treatment team loves them. Hope and perseverance are critical factors in achieving treatment success.

Dr. Salem believes in the power of education. He believes that patients should be told the truth and thoroughly educated about their disease and its treatments. Patient education at Salem Oncology Center is considered a crucial component of treatment.

Teamwork is central to the practice of medicine at Salem Oncology Center. Dr. Salem routinely consults with experts before he designs a treatment strategy. In cancer medicine, teamwork is essential for achieving the best results. Although Dr. Salem consults regularly with specialists in every area, he makes the final treatment decisions. He believes a strong leader is crucial for a successful team.

Whenever a patient needs a consultation with a specialist, they are accompanied by one of our Patient Service staff or nurses. This provides smooth navigation for the patient and a bridge between the consultant and Dr. Salem. This staff member ensures that the consultant speaks to Dr. Salem after they evaluate the patient. Dr. Salem believes that this immediate communication between the consultant and Dr. Salem is extremely important to maximize the value of the consultation.

Before discharging a patient from Salem Oncology Center (SOC), the Center can assist the patient and family identify a doctor in their hometown willing to continue overseeing the treatment started at SOC. Dr. Salem usually speaks to the doctor before discharge. The patient then can continue treatment in their hometown under SOC staff supervision. This arrangement aims to facilitate the continuity of quality care established at Salem Oncology Center.