Arun Puranik, M.D.

Radiation Oncologist

Radiation oncologists are the doctors who will oversee your radiation therapy treatments. These physicians work with the other members of the radiation therapy team to develop your treatment plan and ensure that each treatment is given accurately. Your radiation oncologist will also monitor your progress and adjust the treatment as necessary to make sure the radiation is hitting its target while minimizing side effects. Before, during and after your radiation therapy treatments, your radiation oncologist works closely with other cancer doctors, such as medical oncologists and surgeons, to maximize the radiation’s effectiveness.

About Dr. Puranik

• Director, Image Guided Radiation Therapy
• Member Health Research Science Board, New York State Department of Health
• Recipient of the American Cancer Society’s prestigious “Physician of the Year Award” – 1997
• Faculty, Department of Radiation Oncology, Albany Medical Center (1985-1990)
• Longest serving full-time radiation oncologist in the Capital Region (since 1985)
• Introduced prostate brachytherapy to the region in 1996; has performed over 2,000 implants
• Treated first IMRT patient in the region (2001)
• Recognized by Varian Medical Systems for innovation in IGRT
• Board certified: American Board of Radiology 1984
• American Cancer Society Fellow July 1984 - June 1985
• Participant; NY State Round Table Conference on Prostate Cancer; 2004

Boris Spektor, M.D.

Radiation Oncologist

Radiation oncologists are the doctors who will oversee your radiation therapy treatments. These physicians work with the other members of the radiation therapy team to develop your treatment plan and ensure that each treatment is given accurately. Your radiation oncologist will also monitor your progress and adjust the treatment as necessary to make sure the radiation is hitting its target while minimizing side effects. Before, during and after your radiation therapy treatments, your radiation oncologist works closely with other cancer doctors, such as medical oncologists and surgeons, to maximize the radiation’s effectiveness.

About Dr. Spektor

• A physician for more than 40 years and a Radiation Oncologist for more than 30 years
• Dr. Spektor is the only Radiation Oncologist who is also a Certified Medical Dosimetrist, which provides him with a unique background to help care for patients
• At the age of 17, began his 6 years of medical school at the Military Medical Academy in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg)
• Served the Soviet Navy as a medical officer at a nuclear submarine base (1973-1980)
• Practiced Radiation Oncology since 1980, in what was formerly known as the USSR, before becoming Board Certified in the US
• He has been practicing in the Capital Region since 2001
• Completed his post graduate training in the USSR and also The Brooklyn Hospital Center (Internship) and New York Presbyterian Hospital – Cornell Medical Center (Radiation Oncology Residency)
• Board Certified: American Board of Radiology - 2002
• Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board - 2005
• Uses modern equipment and technology to treat patients

Robert Desjardins, RTT, MBA

• Operations Director, Oncology
• Master of Business Administration (MBA), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (2003)
• Member, Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators (SROA)
• Member, American Society Radiologic Technology (ASRT)
• Member, American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT)
• Implemented the region’s first Image Guided Radiation Therapy program (2005)
• Played an integral role in the region’s first Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy program (2001).

Julie Dustow, RTT

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists work with radiation oncologists to administer the daily treatment under the doctor's prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure all systems are working properly.

Radiation therapists go through a two- to four-year educational program following high school or college and, upon completion, take a special examination to be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Caitlyn Getman, RTT

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists work with radiation oncologists to administer the daily treatment under the doctor's prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure all systems are working properly.

Radiation therapists go through a two- to four-year educational program following high school or college and, upon completion, take a special examination to be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Carol Clickner, RN, OCN

Radiation Oncology Nurses

Radiation oncology nurses work together with radiation oncologists and radiation therapists to care for you and your family during your radiation treatments. They will explain the possible side affects you may experience and describe how you can manage them. They will assess how you are doing throughout treatment and will help you cope with the changes you may experience. They will also provide support and counseling to you and your family.

Radiation oncology nurses are licensed registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Many registered nurses in radiation therapy have additional accreditation in the specialty of oncology nursing. Advanced practice nurses, including clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners, have completed a master's degree program.

Marina Cousins, MS, CMD

Medical Dosimetrist

Medical dosimetrists are members of the radiation oncology team working in collaboration with medical physicists and radiation oncologists. Using knowledge of radiation oncology treatment machines alongside principles of physics, math, anatomy, and radiobiology, the dosimetrist designs, generates, and accurately calculates radiation therapy treatment plans based on the radiation oncologist's prescription. The medical dosimetrist maintains a delicate balance between delivering the prescription the physician has written, while ensuring the patient will not lose important healthy organ function.

Certified Medical Dosimetrists are credentialed by passing board exams administered by the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board. They are often – but not always – radiation therapists who have undertaken specialized, advanced education and training in Medical Dosimetry.