PREMIERE ONCOLOGY PHYSICIANS

LEE S. ROSEN, M.D.
President and Founder, Premiere Oncology

Lee S. Rosen, MD is a principal investigator for many clinical trials focusing on new cancer drug development (Phase I), particularly in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies.  Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he founded the Cancer Therapy Development Program, Dr. Rosen has made significant contributions to translational research with angiogenesis inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors and new drug combinations.  His work with angiogenesis inhibitors goes back to 1996 and he has since treated hundreds of patients with more than a dozen drugs in this class.

In 2004, Lee S. Rosen, M.D. created Premiere Oncology to continue the research he began in 1996 as founder of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  The program was created following completion of his fellowship and was designed to conduct early stage (Phase I and Phase II) clinical trials of novel therapeutics designed to effectively treat patients with advanced solid tumors.   Dr. Rosen rapidly developed a reputation for excellence in the conduct of gastrointestinal malignancy research and early stage clinical trials for patients with solid tumors.  He has led pivotal clinical trials of many products subsequently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cancer including Camptosar (irinotecan HCL injection), Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) and Zometa (zoledronic acid for injection) and Sutent (sunitinib malate).  Dr. Rosen was featured on the CBS television program 60 Minutes in 2000 for his work on angiogenesis inhibitors (a new class of drugs developed to treat cancer by inhibiting development of new blood vessels).

Dr. Rosen received his Medical Degree from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, his B.A. in English Literature from Yale University and Masters of Public Policy (M.P.P.) from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.  In addition to conducting research, Dr. Rosen speaks widely on the subject of cancer and new therapies, is an educator, and consults with research sponsors in the design of clinical trials.

LINNEA CHAP, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Premiere Oncology

Linnea Chap, MD is a highly respected specialist in cancers affecting women.  She received her medical degree from the University of Chicago, completed her residency in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and her fellowship in both Hematology and Medical Oncology at UCLA.  She joined the faculty at UCLA in 1995 serving most recently as Associate Professor of Medicine and co-director of the UCLA/Revlon Multidisciplinary Breast Center, overseeing the Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic. Dr. Chap has multiple publications to her credit and has led several breast and ovarian cancer treatment protocols, including the pioneering use of novel biologic agents such as Herceptin and Avastin.

In 2001, Dr. Chap was named one of “America's Top Breast Cancer Doctors” by Redbook, a national women’s magazine. Annually, she has also been listed as one of “America’s Top Doctors for Cancer”.  Recognized for her teaching and speaking skills, Dr. Chap has a national reputation where she is frequently called on to relate the most recent advances in breast cancer treatment.

JONATHAN GOLDMAN, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Premiere Oncology

Jonathan Goldman, MD is the Director of the Premiere Oncology Foundation’s Multi-Disciplinary Thoracic Malignancy Research Program.  He is a principal or co-investigator on numerous phase I and lung-cancer-specific phase II clinical trials.  He also sees all types of hematologic and oncologic referrals.  Dr. Goldman graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and received his medical degree from Stanford University.  He completed his residency in internal medicine at University of California, San Francisco and his fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at UCLA.

Recently, Dr. Goldman was featured in a webcast on groundbreaking lung cancer clinical trials and research advances.

RESEARCH AFFILIATE PHYSICIANS

RICHARD G. JUST, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr. Richard Just has practiced Medical Oncology and Hematology in the Inland North County of San Diego for 31 years. Over this time he has received numerous awards and honors, but values most his personal interaction with patients and their families.

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Just attended the University of Michigan for pre-med education and received a B.S. in Zoology. He returned to Chicago to attend the Chicago Medical School, followed by internship and residency in Internal Medicine at UCLA/Wadsworth VA. He was Chief Resident in Medicine his last year. Fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology was completed at UCSD/La Jolla VA in 1975, and he's lived and practiced in the Escondido-Poway area ever since.

Dr. Just has been Chair of the Investigational Review Board at Palomar-Pomerado Health System for 16 years. He is Director of the Research Initiative at Palomar-Pomerado Health System.

LAURIE FRAKES, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr. Laurie Frakes' completed her BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and received a Masters Degree in Immunology from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She then completed medical school and a Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Calgary, followed by a Fellowship in Hematology/ Oncology at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California. Dr. Frakes is board certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology.

Dr Frakes has a strong interest in research and is an active participant in clinical trials available through UCLA, Scripps and biotech industry sponsored trials.

Dr. Frakes' practice focuses on breast cancer, but also includes general oncology and hematological disorders.

ALBERTO BESSUDO, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr. Bessudo graduated with Honors from the National University of Mexico School of Medicine in 1989. As part of his graduate training, he attended the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine from 1987 to 1989. He completed his Internship at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, and Internal Medicine Residency at Washington University, Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri in 1992. He was trained in Oncology and Hematology at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. After graduation in 1995, he was appointed to the faculty at UCSD Cancer Center as an Assistant Professor. He was active in teaching, clinical and molecular immunology research.

Dr. Bessudo speaks three languages: Spanish, English and Hebrew.

EDWARD F. MCCLAY, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr. McClay, is recognized nationally as a leader in Melanoma treatment and clinical research. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. McClay served as a staff sergeant in the US Air Force. He received both his B.A and M.D. degree from Temple University, graduating in 1980. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Medical Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University, where he was subsequently appointed to the faculty as an Assistant Clinical Professor. Dr. McClay has held several positions in academic medicine, including Associate Professor and Medical Director at the Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Cancer Center, and Professor of Medicine and Director of Clinical Affairs at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Cancer Center.

Dr. McClay continues his special interests in malignant melanoma and brain tumors. He co-authored the book 100 Questions and Answers about Malignant Melanoma and other Skin Cancers with his wife, Mary-Eileen.

JAMES M. SINCLAIR, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr. Sinclair was raised in Wisconsin where he completed his undergraduate and medical school training at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. His mentor at Madison, Robert Schilling, M.D. suggested he do his post M.D. training at UCSD with Helen Rainey, M.D. and Mark Green, M.D. who continued to mentor him in the field of hematology and medical oncology.  Dr. Sinclair began his private practice in 1987 and has spent the last several years fully engaged in the private practice of hematology and medical oncology.

Dr. Sinclair has offices in La Jolla and Encinitas. He is the Medical Director of the Scripps Cancer Center at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. His interests include benign hematology, all forms of cancer as well as palliative medicine that lead to his position as medical director of a local hospice program. He sees himself as the “quarterback” for his patients as they try to navigate their way through the complex arena of cancer care.

STEVEN G. EISENBERG, D.O.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr. Eisenberg attended the Pennsylvania State University and received a B.A. degree in 1992. He received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1996. He was honored with the prestigious Dean Arthur M. and Belle B. Flack Memorial Award for the student most proficient in Internal Medicine. He completed an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Hospital Consortium and was named Chief Intern.

Dr. Eisenberg completed a Fellowship at the Georgetown University Hospital, Vincent T. Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Hematology and Oncology, and spent a research year as a Gastrointestinal Oncology Fellow. He served as an investigator in a variety of clinical trials focusing on novel therapies for GI malignancies. He has published articles on colon cancer, and continues to lecture regionally on a wide array of cancer-related topics. His special interests include colon cancer, lung cancer and the myelodysplastic syndromes.

Dr. Eisenberg is board certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology and Hematology and has offices in Escondido and Vista.

PUSHPENDU BANERJEE, M.D.
Staff Oncologist, Pacific Oncology and Hematology Associates

Dr Banerjee completed his medical degree in New Delhi, India and moved to the United States in 1992. He received a Masters Degree in Public Health at UNC Chapel Hill where he focused on Health Education and Cancer Prevention.

He completed an Internal Medicine Internship and Residency at the Southern Illinois University- School of Medicine in 1997. He continued there as Assistant Professor in Internal Medicine wining awards for teaching excellence and contributed to Medical Informatics research.

He moved to the Scripps Clinic in La Jolla as part of the teaching faculty and was recognized for making outstanding contributions to medical education by the trainees. A Fellowship in Medical Oncology at the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation followed and Dr. Banerjee is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology.

Dr. Banerjee is currently part of POHA and is a consultant at the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla where he sees a variety of hematological and malignant conditions. His special interests include GI malignancies, cancers of the nervous system with a emphasis on management of the elderly with cancers. Dr. Banerjee participates in clinical trials sponsored by Scripps and UCLA and is a member of American Society of Hematology and American Society of Clinical Oncology.