Maximum precision and over 90% cure rate in 5 vs 40 treatments.

Katherine Chen, MD
Radiation Oncology

Katherine Chen, MD, is a radiation oncologist who practices at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center and MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus. A specialist in the use of numerous radiation therapy modalities, including external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT), Dr. Chen also performs advanced stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy using systems such as CyberKnife®, which makes it possible to treat inoperable or surgically difficult tumors safely and painlessly without an incision.

Dr. Chen is a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology and the American College of Radiology. She has been published in multiple peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous national and international medical meetings. Her interests include quality of life outcomes after cancer treatment, as well as individualized palliative care for advanced or metastatic disease. She earned her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed her residency in radiation oncology at the University of California in San Francisco.

Philosophy of Care:
“I feel it is such a privilege to be able to help guide patients through some of their most vulnerable moments. The process of going through radiation therapy is unfamiliar to most people, so I try to communicate all aspects of treatment as clearly as possible. My goal is to listen to, think about, and care for each person as if they were a member of my own family. I think every individual should feel empowered to make the medical decisions that are right for them so they can live the life they want to live. "

Education:
Residency: University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Medical School: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Kelly E. Orwat, MD
Radiation Oncology

Kelly Orwat, MD, is a radiation oncologist at MedStar Health. She serves as Medical Director of the CyberKnife Program at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, and Medical Director of Radiation Oncology at the MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus.

Dr. Orwat plays an active role as comprehensive plans of care are designed and deployed for patients diagnosed with a wide range of cancers as well benign tumors that call for treatment using targeted radiation therapies. She is part of a multidisciplinary team of oncology experts at MedStar Health who are committed to delivering the latest and most innovative approaches to cancer care, with a goal to optimize clinical outcomes for each patient.

Dr. Orwat is board certified by the American Board of Radiology and is recognized as a local physician who is skilled in use of the latest radiation oncology technologies including treatment using linear accelerators and CyberKnife. She has a specialized interest in the treatment of cancers of the central nervous system, and is especially focused on approaches to minimize short and long-term side effects of radiation treatment. For example, she often facilitates radiation treatment for breast and lung cancer patients while use of the Deep Breath Inspiration Hold technique, which moves the heart away from the treatment area, and helps prevent risks for a cardiac event later in life, as a result of radiation treatment.

Philosophy of Care:
“Caring for the patient holistically is very important to me. People don’t come in experiencing only their cancer diagnosis. They have full lives, other illnesses, and other stressors that impact how they feel. Being mindful of that as a clinician is key as we work to help each patient through their process of treatment, with a goal to manage their diagnosis while still achieving a happy and fulfilling life.”

Education:
Residency: Medical University of South Carolina
Internship: Medical University of South Carolina
Medical School: MUSC College of Health Professions
Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine

Board Certification:
American Board of Radiology, Radiation Oncology

Stephen Ronson, MD
Radiation Oncology

Stephen Ronson, MD, serves a medical director of radiation oncology at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. Working in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of oncology experts, he specializes in the delivery of localized, highly-targeted radiation treatments for patients diagnosed with wide range of cancers. Dr. Ronson is skilled in the use of CyberKnife, a state-of-the-art technology that optimizes radiation treatment that can be used for many patients diagnosed with brain, lung, pancreatic, liver, bone, and prostate cancers. He also offers Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), HDR Brachytherapy, Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). Through MedStar Health’s clinical affiliation with Georgetown University, Dr. Ronson encourages patients who are eligible to participate in clinical trials, as a way of accessing the latest treatments available in the landscape of cancer care. He demonstrates a passion for helping his patients fight cancer, every day.

Philosophy of Care:
“When I first meet with someone in consultation, I like to get to know them as a person, and not just a patient. It helps guide how we make treatment decisions. It also helps me understand how to educate patients and their families. What is most fulfilling about my work is having patients come back in for follow-up appointments – two, five, and ten years into remission. They are cancer free and tell me about their lives and families. That is what I find most rewarding.”

Education:
Residency Program: Loma Linda University Medical Center
Internship: University of California at Irvine
Medical School: University of Maryland School of Medicine

Board Certification:
American Board of Radiology, Radiation Oncology