In the late 1980s, Dr. Alan Yahanda, a surgical oncologist with Indiana Surgical Specialists in Fort Wayne, was pursuing a medical career, but not as a surgical oncologist. He originally wanted to specialize in pediatric surgery. Ironically, as he was working toward that goal, he was exposed to experiences that would change his life and the lives of future patients.
Yahanda graduated from Johns Hopkins University school of medicine in 1985 and performed his surgical internship and residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was awarded the Robert Garrett Research Fellowship in Pediatric Surgery in 1988.
The following year, while working as a surgical registrar at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England, Yahanda performed numerous gastrointestinal and oncologic surgical procedures. Upon returning to Johns Hopkins, he gained even more exposure to complex gastrointestinal and oncology issues and also became interested in the research aspects of surgical oncology.
The rest, as they say, is history. By 1992, Yahanda was pursuing a three-year surgical oncology fellowship at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. From there, he became an associate professor of surgery in the department of surgical oncology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Today, Yahanda is a board-certified general surgeon with a specialty certificate in surgical oncology. He predominately treats patients with malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract or breast, melanomas or soft-tissue sarcomas. He has published numerous original manuscripts and book chapters on the topics of surgical oncology and cancer genetics.
While some might suspect that dealing with the diagnosis of cancer on a daily basis is challenging, Yahanda argues otherwise, however. In fact, knowing he can offer hope buoys both him and the patients he serves.
"I can actually do something for these patients," he says. "When they come to see me, it is with the hope that I can do something positive for them. They see a hopeful point in the disease progression."
When it comes to speaking with his patients, Yahanda's approach is direct and very honest. "I tell patients all the facts without glossing over them or leaving anything out," he says. "It is good for the patient to have all of the facts."
Jerry and Donna Lagemann certainly agree. Early in 1992, at the age of 59, Jerry Lagemann was diagnosed with an ampullary cancer causing obstruction of the bile duct. In order to remove the cancer, Lagemann had to undergo a Whipple procedure. This extensive surgery involves removing a portion of the bile duct, a section of the stomach, the head of the pancreas and the entire duodenum, then "reconnecting" the remaining parts of these organs to the small intestine.
It was Yahanda's job to explain the findings, the treatment options and the long-term outlook to the Lagemanns. Thirteen years later, the family remembers it well.
"Dr. Yahanda was very honest and forthright," says Jerry Lagemann. "He told us all of the things we should know, not just what we wanted to hear. It was difficult to hear it all, but we needed to know. I think I actually appreciated it more after everything was over."
"He explained everything very factually - this is what you have, this is what we will do, etc.," adds Donna Lagemann, Jerry's wife. "It was difficult at first tough to listen to - but you can't live with blinders on."
"He actually drew all the parts and pieces he would move around during the procedure," she continues. "That helped, because we didn't realize just how extensive the surgery would be."
In fact, the Lagemanns say Yahanda was there every step of the way, answering questions and letting them know what would happen next.
"I think he was very thorough through the whole process," Donna Lagemann adds. "Before the surgery, he went through everything that would happen, including the fact that Jerry would need a feeding tube for a while once he was home. It was good to know what to expect."
"He is a very gifted physician," she says. "We often think about how thankful we are that we had a good surgeon. Fort Wayne is very fortunate to have Dr. Yahanda."
Perhaps Lagemann's recovery speaks to it as well. Within 10 months of his surgery and follow-up treatment (radiation and chemotherapy), he was back to laying carpet, a physically demanding job.
"I give Dr. Yahanda a lot of credit in terms of using his talents to the very best of his ability," Lagemann says. "He is a very professional, knowledgeable physician. I would have no hesitation if someone asked for a recommendation."
Cases like that of Jerry Lagemann underscore the importance of being upfront with each patient and his or her family, even when they may not want to hear it.
"My ultimate responsibility is to provide good medical care for patients and to do the best job to surgically manage their cancer," says Yahanda. "I also have a responsibility to be honest and serve as a source of good information for my patients so they can make an informed decision.
"I also try to be an advocate for the cancer patient," he continues. "I think it is unfair that Fort Wayne patients must traipse all over town for multiple appointments that can be weeks apart. I try to help move things along faster."
What Yahanda is alluding to is a need for better coordination of care among the many disciplines required in the treatment of cancer. The result of such coordination, he says, will be a smoother, more convenient process for the patient.
"Modern cancer care is increasingly multidisciplinary in nature and it is not uncommon for cancer patients to require two or three different treatment modalities to successfully treat their tumor," he says. "The ideal delivery of cancer care takes place in a center in which all disciplines and ancillary services are present together under a single roof."
Yahanda points to his specialized training as the driving force behind his goal to create a stronger multi-disciplinary approach in Fort Wayne. "I was inundated with a multi-disciplinary perspective throughout my additional training," he explains. "We need more patient-friendly, coordinated care. We need to reduce the cycle time from diagnosis to the final treatment plan. We need to make it more expeditious for the sake of our patients."
This goal is not just aimed at the city of Fort Wayne. Yahanda is poised for positive changes throughout the state. He is the Indiana State Chair for Cancer, a position he was elected to by the American College of Surgeons. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing cancer care programs in more than 40 Indiana hospitals designated as cancer centers by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Yahanda is also charged with making certain that the interests of cancer patients are represented on a legislative level. In addition, he serves as a member of the Indiana Cancer Consortium, a group charged with developing and implementing the first-ever cancer control plan for the state of Indiana.
"For me, this is another commitment to improving cancer care throughout Indiana and seeing that multi-disciplinary care is performed throughout the state," says Yahanda.
As for Fort Wayne, Yahanda feels positive about the progress he has seen since his arrival five years ago. "I liked coming here because I feel like I am making a big impact," he says. "Hopefully, we have really improved cancer care in the community. I really feel that we are helping a lot of people."
"My goal is to make treatment better for patients, in terms of coordination of care and quality of care" he says. "It will come, but it takes time." for your information
Dr. Alan Yahanda
ADDRESS:
Indiana Surgical Specialists
1818 Carew St., Ste. 160
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
TELEPHONE:
(260) 484-9611
SERVICES:
Surgeon specializing in oncological services and procedures.
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