The physicians and physician advisors of the Cancer Center of Hawaii are a diverse, multi-faceted team with a broad range of capabilities and expertise. We collaborate daily in pursuit of innovative ways to cure cancer. Enthusiastic and passionate, we rise to every challenge presented with a personal commitment to do what is best for every individual. Our cancer care team practices excellent communication — keeping referring physicians, patients and family in the loop — abiding by the philosophy that we are stronger together. Facing cancer can be a scary ordeal, but with a team of compassionate, cancer fighting experts in your corner, you never have to go it alone. Every day, we strive for perfection in getting good results from our treatments, with extensive checklists to ensure we meet the highest standards of care.
United in the fight, the Cancer Center of Hawaii cancer treatment team will always do what is right, and what is best, for the patient.
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
Medical Education
Baylor College of Medicine, Doctorate of Medicine
Residency
University of Utah, Resident, Radiation Oncology
University of Utah, Senior Resident, Internal Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, Intern, Internal Medicine
Background and Philosophy
Dr. John Lederer has a passion for doing things worthwhile, which is why he chose to become a radiation oncologist. It is a profession where he can help cancer patients live longer and maintain quality of life. He founded the Cancer Center of Hawaii so that he could build a physician-run business that would do everything to take care of patients the best way possible. He operates with a purpose to do what is best for patients, and all of his decisions — and the organization’s decisions — are based on this philosophy.
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Medical Education
Tulane University School of Medicine, Doctorate of Medicine
Tulane University School of Public Medicine, Masters of Public Health
Residency
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Resident, Radiation Oncology
University of Texas Medical Branch Hospital, Intern, General Surgery
Background and Philosophy
Dr. Laeton Pang was born in Hawaii, and from an early age wanted to become a doctor. He became a radiation oncologist to focus on curing cancer patients. Dr. Pang strives for perfection in his practice and is always working for better outcomes. He joined the Cancer Center of Hawaii because he wanted to be part of a team that will take care of patients in the best way possible. He enjoys the opportunity at the Cancer Center of Hawaii to be forward-thinking and stay on the leading edge of treatments and technology in order to offer the best options to patients. In caring for cancer patients, he takes care of each individual at the moment, and works to help patients maintain their dignity and courage through their difficult experience in fighting cancer.
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Medical Education
Virginia Commonwealth University, Doctorate of Medicine
Georgetown University Medical Center, Post-Doctorate, Oncology
Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Ph.D. Physiology & Biophysics
Residency
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Resident, Radiation Oncology
University at Buffalo, SUNY, Intern, Internal Medicine
Background and Philosophy
Dr. Richard Lee started his professional career conducting research in physiology, biochemistry, biophysics and breast cancer. He was interested in radiation oncology because he wanted to pursue medical work that would be connected to technology and physics. He joined the Cancer Center of Hawaii because it was a place that mirrored his values of always doing what is right for patients. He focuses on providing the latest treatments, technologies and improvements to advance cancer care for people in Hawaii.
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Medical Education
University of Miami, Doctorate of Medicine
Residency
Emory University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Chief Resident, Radiation Oncology
Emory University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Resident, Radiation Oncology
Emory University, Department of Medicine, Intern, Internal Medicine
Background and Philosophy
Dr. Susie Chen realized that she wanted to become a radiation oncologist when her mother survived breast cancer. She was inspired by what a difference can be made with patients using modern treatments and technologies. She joined the Cancer Center of Hawaii because the entire team, from receptionists to the therapists and doctors, all treated patients and each other like family. She also aligned with the organizations vision to do what is right and what is best for patients to focus on curing cancer. She works to provide the latest cutting-edge technologies and treatments to patients so that they have the best options available.
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Medical Education
Vanderbilt Medical School, Doctorate of Medicine
Vanderbilt Medical School, Doctor of Philosophy, Biological Sciences
Residency
Siteman Cancer Center; Washington University Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Resident, Radiation Oncology
Background and Philosophy
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dr. Christina Speirs had her sights set on healing people from a young age. With a makeshift first-aid kit, she would doctor her siblings’ skinned knees, and as a teenager dreamed of traveling the world as a CDC physician helping halt Ebola outbreaks. She delighted in the enigmatic and romantic qualities of basic science, but it was her contact with patients during her time as a candy striper, and the privilege of sharing their stories, that sealed the deal for her career as a physician.
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Medical Education
Duke University, Doctorate of Medicine
Residency
Siteman Cancer Center; Washington University Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Resident, Radiation Oncology
Background and Philosophy
Dr. Michael Roach specialized in radiation oncology and joined Cancer Center of the Hawaii as he is excited about combining compassionate care with cutting-edge technology. He graduated as the top student in his engineering class at Vanderbilt University and was awarded a full tuition scholarship to study medicine at Duke University. At Washington University in St. Louis, he was selected as chief resident and invited to stay on as faculty. He then became chief of the gastrointestinal cancer division there.
Dr. Roach is board certified, and he treats with advanced techniques including image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery, and high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. He has helped write national guidelines on the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT/SABR).
Board Certification
Radiation Oncology
Medical Education
University of Florida College of Medicine
Flight Surgeon USAF, Hickam AFB
Background
Dr. Vincent Brown has been practicing Radiation Oncology since 1977 in Honolulu.
Assistant Professor, UH Department of Surgery
Medical Education
Hahneman University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center