Sault snags a third cancer doctor

Sault Ste. Marie has landed a third oncologist, Sault Area Hospital and the Group Health Centre announced today.

Dr. Pritesh Lohar was trained in India and then studied internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology at the SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York State.

The following release was distributed by Sault Area Hospital:

**************************************************************** Oncologist joins Algoma Regional Cancer Program

May 2, 2003 - Medical Oncologist Dr. Pritesh Lohar officially joined the Algoma Regional Cancer Program on May 1st.

The Algoma Regional Cancer Program is a joint venture of Cancer Care Ontario, Group Health Centre and Sault Area Hospital.

Program staff and physicians are delighted with the arrival of a third medical oncologist in the community.

"The recruitment of Dr. Pritesh Lohar is a great achievement for Sault Ste. Marie, knowing the limited number of oncologists that are available worldwide," says Manu Malkani, President and CEO of Sault Area Hospital.

"We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Pritesh Lohar to Sault Ste. Marie. We have all waited a very long time to be able to address our manpower and space needs to better serve Algoma cancer patients," adds David Murray, President and CEO of the Group Health Association. Dr. Lohar was trained in India and did his specialty training and internship in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology at the SUNY Upstate Medical University in New York State.

"We are pleased to have been able to assist with Dr. Lohar's recruitment and orientation to Cancer Care Ontario," says Janice Skot, VP, Regional Cancer Services for the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre. Medical oncologist Dr. David Walde states, "Cancer Care Ontario has assisted us to recruit Dr. Lohar to our program. We are really looking forward to Dr. Lohar joining our team to meet our clinical service, academic and research needs."

Medical oncologist Dr. Silvana Spadafora adds "Dr. Lohar will gradually assume part of the current caseload and a share of the new referrals. With three medical oncologists, waiting times for patients should be shorter and over all working life for staff and physicians will be improved."

Linda Watts, Director of Planning and Administration for the Algoma Regional Cancer Program says "We are very pleased that the City of Sault Ste. Marie has assisted in attracting Dr. Lohar to our community by offering him an incentive grant. We have been in our new location on the main floor of the Plummer site now for five weeks now and we are planning to host several open houses and a grand opening ceremony in the near future."

Dr. Lohar's wife Lori and their two small children will join him once he is settled.

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