Northern Marianas Oncology Center

On Sept. 15, 2021, the Northern Marianas Oncology Center opened the Comprehensive Cancer Screening and Prevention Program to serve all residents living in the CNMI. The goal of the program is to screen for and prevent common cancers, so that we will have less cancer in the CNMI, and if cancer develops, it will be caught at an earlier stage. This unique program will provide no-cost cancer prevention counseling and vaccines, as well as screening advice and testing, with follow-up of results. This program is available to all residents of the CNMI. To schedule an appointment with a health care provider for a no-cost cancer screening and prevention visit, please call 670-234-8950 and ask for Oncology or Cancer Screening Program.

Having cancer is always life changing for patients, their families, and their close community. At the Northern Marianas Oncology Center at CHCC, we promise to provide compassionate, state-of-the-art cancer care for our patients, with the twin goals of improving quality of life and length of life. When it is possible to cure our patient’s cancer, we will put forth every effort to maximize the chance of cure.

The Oncology Center also has a Palliative Care Program. For patients who have advanced cancer, we help with issues of:
Our Palliative Care Program focuses on helping with these issues and more. Often, our palliative care providers and nurses can make home visits to our patients if needed.
 
Watch Dr. Brett speak about cancer in the live Doc Talk series. 
Watch Dr. Brett speak about cervical cancer in the live Doc Talk series.
 
Northern Marianas Oncology Center team
Northern Marianas Oncology Center Team
First row, left to right:
Maria Priest, CNA, Patient Navigator
Eucele Pagaduan, Pharmacist
Devin Finco, Pharmacist
Mary Lou Stevens, Physician Assistant
Kelvilynn Toves, Registrar
Angela Figueroa, Oncology RN
Tasia Sablan, Financial Counselor
Porsha Palacios, CNA, Patient Navigator

Second row, left to right:
Peter Brett, MD, Medical Oncologist
Kim Runge, Pharmacist
Alex Johanson, Physician Assistant
Jon Holloway, Nurse Practitioner
Mary Quinn Rozkydal, Oncology RN, Manager
Salome Castro, Oncology RN
Services
  • Review of tissue biopsies (with our pathologists) to make sure the diagnosis of cancer and what type of cancer the patient has is correct
  • Advanced molecular analysis of tissue biopsies that can allow for targeted treatments
  • Advanced imaging with CT scans, ultrasound, and plain films to “stage” a patient’s cancer, and determine how the cancer is responding to treatment
  • Thorough patient histories and careful exams of patients to understand how the cancer developed, how it is affecting the patient, and to assess for possible complications of the cancer or treatment
  • We try to understand the patient’s social situation, and how that will affect the patient’s understanding of the cancer and how treatment may affect them
  • State-of-the-art outpatient treatment right here at CHCC. We will treat a patient’s cancer with medications, when appropriate, with the goals to cure the cancer, shrink the cancer to improve quality of life, or prevent cancer from returning (relapsing) with:
    • The most advanced chemotherapy treatment available.
    • The most advanced oral treatment targeted to cancer mutations available.
    • The most advanced immunotherapy treatment and treatment combinations available (stimulating the patient’s immune system to attack the cancer).
  • Nutritional and healthy lifestyle counseling.
  • Coordination of care with CHCC surgeons when surgery is appropriate.
  • Referral to off-island radiation and specialty surgeons when appropriate, and coordination of care with off-island specialists.
  • Comprehensive follow-up care after cancer treatment, including blood testing and imaging when appropriate.
  • Oncology nursing team support.
  • Advanced pharmacist team support.
  • Access to the hospital and hospitalist team for clinical problems that cannot be treated as an outpatient.
  • Satellite Cancer Clinics alternating monthly in Rota and Tinian (for office visits only, not treatment).
  • House calls to a patient's home when appropriate
  • Cancer symptom management
  • Benign hematology (blood) problems: The cancer team will also evaluate patients who have complex hematologic (blood) problems, even if there’s no concern that the patient has a cancer.
Contact Us
Hours
Monday-Friday 8:00AM-5:00PM
Physician on-call for urgent matters 24/7.
Location
Northern Marianas Oncology Center, CHCC Navy Hill Campus, front entrance next to Dialysis Center
Phone
(670) 234-8950 - ask for the Northern Marianas Oncology Center; after hours ask for the oncologist on call
Fax
(670) 233-0050

Make an appointment
Usually your primary care physician or surgeon will refer you to the Northern Marianas Oncology Center, and we will call you to schedule an appointment. If you have a cancer and do not have a regular physician, call 670-234-8950 and ask for the Northern Marianas Oncology Center; we will obtain your records and schedule an appointment for you.
Last Updated:9/13/21