A diagnosis of cancer affects everything – your health, appearance, energy level, lifestyle and relationships. That is why the Goldschmidt Cancer
Center at Capital Region uses a comprehensive team approach to treatment. With access to clinical trials and expertly trained nurses in oncology, the Goldschmidt Cancer Center can provide everything for patient and their caregivers from diagnosis to treatment to recovery and rehabilitation. We are the only facility of this caliber in the Capital Region we are the:
Only Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Capital Region
Only Radiation Oncology Program in the Capital Region
Only Certified Breast Health Patient Navigator in the Capital Region
Only facility that offers patients access to certified genetic counseling services from Ellis Fischel Cancer Center
Our physicians and nurses are passionate about ensuring every patient is given the very best care and has access to the latest treatments and consult frequently with physicians from Sitemann Cancer Center in St. Louis and M.D. Anderson among others. You can come to the Goldschmidt Cancer Center with confidence knowing you have the best care available, right here at home.
This team includes:
Medical Oncologists – specialists in cancer care
Raonak Ekram, M.D.
Oncology/Hematology
Dr. Raonak Ekram graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Kansas State University and received a medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical School. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and completed a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Wake Forest University/Bowman Gray Cancer Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Dr. Ekram served as a Hospitalist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and practiced Hematology/Oncology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City. She is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Subspecialty Board of Medical Oncology. She is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Kansas Medical Society.
Dr. Ekram and her husband, fellow physician Eston Schwartz, M.D., live in Mid Missouri and are active in their local community. They have been blessed with two children and are thrilled to be back in central Missouri to share their expertise and raise their family.
Eston Schwartz, M.D.
Oncology/Hematology
Dr. Eston J. Schwartz graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Life Science. He received his medical degree from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1997. He then completed his Internal Medicine residency training at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa. This was followed by fellowship training in Medical Oncology at Wake Forest University/Bowman Gray Cancer Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
After completing his fellowship, Dr. Schwartz began a practice in Hematology/Oncology at St. Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City. In addition to having the privilege of taking care of oncology patients, Dr. Schwartz organized and initiated a Hospice program and served as the director of the program.
Dr. Schwartz is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Medical Association, and the Kansas Medical Society. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.
Members of the Sam B. Cook Healthplex will often see Dr. Schwartz hitting the weights as he has a passion for staying healthy and setting a good example for patients. He and his wife, Dr. Ekram enjoy raising spending family time together in mid Missouri.
Shelby Rifkin, M.D.
Hematologist/Oncologist
Shelby Rifkin, M.D. received his medical degree from Chicago Medical School in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his internship and residency at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, Illinois. His fellowship was completed at Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville, Tennessee.
He is a member of the American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Dr. Rifkin also holds board certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology.
Dr. Rifkin lives in Jefferson City with his wife who is active in various committees including the physician spouse network.
James R.(Jay) Allen, M.D.
Dr. Allen is board certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology. He received his medical degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Allen's internship and residency in Radiation Oncology was completed at the Medical College of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He moved back to Missouri in 2000 and began his career with the Mid-Missouri Medical Foundation which is now the Goldschmidt Cancer Center. He is a partner with Murrell, Westgate and Bryer, Inc., and is also a clinical assistant professor of Radiology at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Patricia O. Macfarlane, M.D.
Dr. Macfarlane is certified by the American Board of Radiology. She received her medical degree and completed her residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. Following her residency, she completed a neuroradiology fellowship at the University of South Florida. Before coming to Capital Region Medical Center, Dr. Macfarlane's previous employment included Cape Radiology Group in Cape Girardeau and the Musculoskeletal Division at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She also has served as an Instructor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School.
Stacey Miller, Genetic Counselor
Stacey Miller is a board certified genetic counselor, specializing in oncology. She provides cancer risk assessment and genetic testing for individuals and families at risk for all types of hereditary cancer syndromes.  She sees patients both at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, MO and Goldschmidt Cancer Center in Jefferson City. She was previously the coordinator for the Cancer Genetics Program at Saint Luke’s Cancer Center in Kansas City and received her training from the University of Texas Health Science Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX.
Cathy Otten, BSN, Clinical Trial Specialist
Clinical trials nurse for Goldschmidt Cancer center. Responsibilities include: identifying patients who are possible participants, screening all new patients for possible eligibility for a treatment clinical trial, education of the patient and family on aspects of participation and potential risks and benefits of participating, assisting the patient and family coordinate visits , tests and treatment days. I work closely with the physicians in the assessment and monitoring for toxicities due to treatment and any dose modifications needed are implemented. Perform many administrative duties related to clinical trials. Attend Institutional Review Board , Tumor Conference, and Breast Case Review. I am active in Relay for Life and Susan G. Komen activities. I began my healthcare career as certified nurses aid in 1981. Completed my BSN at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Past work experience includes: Boone Hospital Center inpatient oncology for 15 years, Clinical Nursing Instructor for Columbia College Associates Degree nursing program. Member of the Oncology Nursing Society and Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society for Nursing.
Rosie Honse, RN, Breast Health Nurse Navigator
Patient Navigator Rosie Honse, RN is a certified oncology nurse with a passion to see patients through every facet of care, meticulously addressing every concern from diagnosis to survivorship. Rosie is available for all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients being treated at Goldschmidt Cancer Center and Capital Region Medical Center. She is a vital team member to Goldschmidt’s breast cancer program which includes professional support services, access to clinical trials, and survivorship resources as well. She has more than 15 yeas experience in nursing and her expertise in her field is matched only by her compassion for those she cares for. The Goldschmidt Cancer Center is proud to boast it is the only cancer program in the Capital Region to offer a nurse navigator that is this specialized.
Radiation Oncologists
James Allen, M.D.
Joseph Bean, M.D.
Gregory Biederman, M.D.
Mark Bryer, M.D.
William Decker, M.D.
Jerry Murrell, M.D. (Retired)
Steven Westgate, M.D.
Specialists Available
Pathologists
Radiologists
Urologists
Surgeons
Nurses
Dietitians
Home health specialists
Psychologists
Counselors
Social workers
Pharmacists
Rehabilitation therapists
Radiation therapists
Hospice care givers
The team counsels each patient about treatments, outcomes,
and physical and psychological changes. They also work closely with family members
to provide emotional support and education to help reduce cancer risk factors
through early detection and self-examinations.
FAQs
What should I know about radiation therapy treatments?
Will my treatments be given by qualified physicians and staff?
Does the facility have the equipment I need to receive safe and up-to-date cancer treatment?
Is the facility accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR)-American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO)?
Why should I have my treatments at an accredited facility?
A diagnosis of cancer is usually a life-changing experience for patients and their loved ones. As they seek treatment for their disease, cancer patients need to know that they are receiving safe and appropriate care. To achieve ACR-ASTRO Accreditation, our facility’s personnel qualifications, equipment requirements, quality assurance and quality control procedures have gone through a rigorous review process and have met specific qualifications. It’s important for patients to know that every aspect of the ACR-ASTRO accreditation process is overseen by board-certified, expert radiation oncologists and medical physicists.
What does ACR-ASTRO accreditation mean?
Our facility has voluntarily gone through a vigorous review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care.
Our personnel are well qualified, through education and certification, and to administer your radiation therapy treatments.
Our equipment is appropriate for the treatment you will receive, and our facility meets or exceeds quality assurance and safety guidelines.
What does the accreditation seal mean?
When you see the ACR-ASTRO seal, you can rest assured that your treatment will be done at a facility that has met the highest level of quality and radiation safety. The facility and its personnel have gone through a comprehensive review to earn accreditation status by the American College of Radiology (ACR), a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists and The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), a professional organization serving more than 10,000 radiation oncologists, medical physicists and other health care professionals involved in the treatment of cancer patients.
If you would like more information about the cancer programs
at the Goldschmidt Cancer Center, call (573)632-4800 or email Nancy Bateman,
RN, OCN, at nbateman@mail.crmc.org.
Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal eternal Life
It cannot conquer the Spirit
-Author Unknown
