ONCOLOGIST BRINGS SPECIALTY TO PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS MEDICAL GROUP

UNT Health Science Center Adds Oncologist to Medical Group Practice

FORT WORTH ‹ The Physicians & Surgeons Medical Group of the University of North Texas Health Science Center has added another specialty to its list of capabilities. Cancer specialist, Dr. Gregory Marino joined the health science center as Chief of the Division of Oncology, Internal Medicine Department. He will also serve as an Associate Professor of Medicine for the center's medical and graduate schools.

Dr. Marino comes to Fort Worth from the Western Washington Medical Group in Everett, Washington, where he was on staff in the Hematology/Oncology division. He also served as clinical instructor in the Hematology/Oncology divisions of the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, the University of Washington School of Medicine and the University of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa.

"As an oncologist, my job is to examine the effect of malignant disease and the treatment of the whole patient," said Dr. Marino. ¿Cancer treatments ‹ from radiation to chemotherapy ‹ are not simple for patients. You have to look at a person's lifestyle, age, home environment and support system to determine what therapy is the best way to try to beat cancer."

"As osteopathic physicians, our approach to cancer treatment differs somewhat from the expected. Our goal is always to comfort and heal the patient, and fully inform and involve the patient in making decisions," Dr. Marino explains. "But if the patient does not choose chemotherapy or radiation therapy, we still stand ready to offer treatment and pain control options throughout the course of the disease. We see that as part of our responsibility as physicians."

Dr. Marino's arrival coincides with the arrival in Fort Worth of Dr. Ronald H. Goldfarb, who comes to the health science center from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), where he was Deputy Director for Basic Research and Director of the Program in Cancer Metastasis and Cell Biology. Dr. Goldfarb is the chairman of the UNT Health Science Center's Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology and Microbiology/Immunology department.

"Oncology will be the number one health challenge in the 21st century, and Dr. Marino's arrival will assist the health science center in being responsive to the needs of the community in cancer treatment and research," said Dr. David Richards, president of the UNT Health Science Center.

Dr. Marino's professional society memberships include the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Osteopathic Association. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.

The 43-year-old physician received his bachelors in anthropology from the University of Notre Dame and his D.O. degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Marino began his medical career in the U.S. Navy and served ten years of active duty. He continues to serve in the military reserves as a Captain in the Navy Medical Corps. He is a diplomate of the National Board of Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons and certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with sub-specialties in hematology and medical oncology.

The degree, doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.), is the only one in the U.S. in addition to M.D. that grants full licensure to practice the entire scope of medicine. A D.O. pursues a preventive, whole-person approach to illness and disease, and emphasizes patient participation in maintaining good health. D.O.'s, like their M.D. counterparts, practice in all medical and surgical specialties and sub-specialties.

Tarrant County's largest medical group, the Physicians & Surgeons Medical Group, is composed of faculty of the UNT Health Science Center's Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The group includes 108 physicians and surgeons who practice and teach in 24 specialties and sub specialties, including allergy/immunology, cardiology, oncology/hematology, neurology, surgery and sports medicine. More than 160,000 visits were made last year to the health science center's 24 clinics and laboratories. The new 135,000 square-foot Patient Care Building is located on the Montgomery Street side of the health science center's Cultural District campus.

Editor's Note: A photo and full curriculum vitae (CV) are available upon request.