To improve the level of cancer care and services available to the residents of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay and other nearby cities, Sutter Delta Medical Center has appointed Dr. Jeffrey Cronk director of the hospital’s growing cancer program.

Cancer care requires a variety of specialists and services. The care of a single cancer patient can involve several types of physicians and cutting-edge-technology. In recent years, Sutter Delta has recruited specialized physicians, purchased advanced diagnostic equipment, recruited a nurse navigator and oncology resource nurse to help patients understand their disease and navigate the complex treatment process, and established a cancer committee to oversee cancer services and seek accreditation as a Community Cancer Center from the American College of Surgeons.

“We have a committee of internal medicine specialists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, pathologists and radiologists,” said Cronk. “We all work together to make sure that our patients are getting the best care possible from screenings to treatment and follow-up appointments.”

Sutter Delta is a member of the Association of Community Cancer Centers and is working towards accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

“There is no reason for cancer patients in our communities to have to travel to receive state-of-the-art care,” added Cronk. “We’re offering advanced screenings and treatments already, and we hope to continue to grow the program to rival the best programs out there.”

“We’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said Sutter Delta CEO Gary Rapaport. “Dr. Cronk is a fantastic leader. He is knowledgeable and compassionate, and we know that he will help us continue to expand the cancer program and services to meet the needs of East County residents.”

Sutter Delta is part of the Sutter East Bay Region and a Sutter Health affiliate. Its sister hospitals, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center and Eden Medical Center, are already accredited cancer centers, and patients requiring more-advanced treatments and procedures have had access to them through those facilities.

Sutter Delta Medical Center’s 800 employees and more than 250 physicians on staff have been serving East County’s communities since 1967. Its services include 24-hour emergency care, a family birthing/women’s health center and advanced cardiovascular care. Sutter Delta Medical Center is a member of the Sutter Health network of doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other health care service providers.