Islanders requiring cancer treatment will have increased support with the recruitment of medical oncologist, Dr. Vaughan Cipperly, said Minister of Health and Wellness Doug Currie.
“Our Government is committed to ensuring Islanders have access to oncology services right here in Prince Edward Island, and recruitment in the field has been a top priority,” said Minister Currie. “Medical oncology is a highly specialized field and the demand for medical oncologists is very high across Canada. The province is very fortunate to have successfully recruited Dr. Cipperly.”
Dr. Cipperly is American Board certified with a fellowship in hematology oncology and currently has a practice in Colorado. “I’m very excited about relocating to Prince Edward Island and about the new challenges and opportunities that I will encounter,” says Dr. Cipperly. “The staff of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital seems very passionate about their work and is blessed to have all the facilities needed to offer excellent care.”
Dr. Vimoj Nair has also been recruited for the position of Associate Radiation Oncologist. Dr. Nair has signed a two-year term to provide clinical services with the Radiation Oncology Program. He is currently completing a Radiation Oncology Fellowship with the University of Ottawa.
“We are delighted to have Dr. Nair join our radiation oncology team,” said Dr. Larry Pan, Radiation Oncologist at the Cancer Treatment Centre. “He will be instrumental in helping contribute to further advance our non-invasive alternatives to surgery in select cases such as early stage lung cancer, especially in patients who are not surgical candidates. We are excited to be able to offer modern state-of-the-art high precision radiation therapy at home on the Island for PEI patients.”
Dr. Nair is set to start in August. Dr. Cipperly is scheduled to begin practice full time in mid-September.
“The addition of these highly skilled health professionals will bring stability and support to the oncology services for the province and hopefully relieve some of the burden on Island families dealing with cancer,” said Minister Currie.