A Provider's View

Shane Tipton, FNP, PA-C, MS

In his nearly two decades with Adventist Health Sonora, Shane Tipton, FNP, PA-C, MS, has seen patients from three generations of the same family – a fact he counts as one of the rewards of practicing medicine in our community. “The relationships you build in this setting are wonderful,” he said. Shane provides full-spectrum adult medical oncology and medical hematology services at Adventist Health Sonora’s Diana J. White Cancer Institute. On a typical day, he arrives early to get ready for the work ahead by reviewing patient charts and the 30 to 40 lab results that he usually receives. He then meets with his team to review the caseload and prepare for patient visits – about 20 per day on average, representing a broad variety of cases. The complexity of working up each person’s unique diagnosis and treatment plan is a challenge he enjoys.

The Diana J. White Cancer Institute offers “vast services” to patients – including imaging, infusion treatments, chemotherapy, radiation and follow-up care – a fact that Shane believes will surprise some people.

“They think it’s just a little clinic,” he said. Instead, it offers “full-spectrum treatment” to about 75 percent of patients, Shane estimates, while the remaining 25 percent may be referred out for all or part of their treatment.

The Diana J. White Cancer Institute takes a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to cancer care. “Patients are managed in a group of ten to twelve specialists and subspecialists,” Shane said, noting that he loves being part of this collaborative team.

What he finds even more rewarding is serving patients in our community. “People are genuinely loving,” he said. “You feel your impact.”

You can make an impact for local cancer patients by supporting the Diana J. White Cancer Institute: Give Today!