Radiation Oncology in Arizona

Meet Our Staff

Mayo's radiation oncology team is led by physicians. It also includes therapists, nurses, nurse practitioners, dosimetrists, physicists and others who work together to deliver compassionate, appropriate treatment to patients with cancer.

Physicists

Physicists measure the radiation beams and provide data used to plan treatment. The physicist ensures that the treatment machines are operating accurately, consistently and safely.

Physicists often work with radiation oncologists and dosimetrists to plan and verify special treatments such as intraoperative radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiosurgery and 3-D conformal radiation. They participate in research and development of new treatment techniques. Mayo Clinic physicists are certified by the American Board of Radiology and/or the American Board of Medical Physics in the Physics of Radiation Oncology.

Dosimetrists

Working under the direction of radiation oncologists and physicists, dosimetrists help plan the details of each patient's treatment. Using a computerized system, dosimetrists plan the optimal way to deliver radiation to the target while minimizing the dose to nearby healthy tissues.

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists administer the radiation treatments prescribed by the physician. During treatment, the radiation therapist positions the patient correctly on the treatment machine and directs each radiation beam to the area designated in each patient's unique treatment plan.

Nurse Practitioners

Working under the supervision of radiation oncologists, nurse practitioners assist in plan management, coordinating each patient's treatment and follow-up care.

Nurses

Nurses work closely with radiation oncologists to assist in the patient's care and address questions and concerns the patient may have during treatment.