(Sharon, PA) March 4, 2020 - Sharon Regional Medical Center and Steward Medical Group have expanded cancer care services into Lawrence County. A team of board-certified cancer specialists at the Cancer Care Center at Sharon Regional are now seeing patients in New Castle. This expansion provides patients enhanced access to care at a convenient location in Lawrence County. 

The group that includes; Mukhtar Hassan, M.D., Vaibhav Verma, M.D., both Medical Oncologists and Hematologists, and Debra Evans, MSN, CRNP, AOCNP, Oncology Nurse Practitioner, are scheduling appointments at the Steward Specialty Care Center Neshannock, located at 143 Enclave Drive in New Castle, to meet the growing demand for cancer care services across the two-county region. All three providers bring extensive clinical experience in cancer care diagnosis and treatment for adults. 

“We are pleased to be a resource in Lawrence County for patients who need oncology and hematology care,” said Jerel Humphrey, interim president of Sharon Regional Medical Center. “The expert care and compassion of our providers will help our patients achieve their highest quality of life while undergoing their course of treatment.” 

Dr. Hassan is board-certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine has a special clinical interest in treating breast cancer and conditions related to hemostasis, which is the body’s ability to stop bleeding or hemorrhaging, and thrombosis, more commonly known as blood clots. He is highly trained in Medical Oncology and Hematology, having completed fellowships at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC, and at Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with Howard University Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, he completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC. 

Dr. Verma is board-certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine and has a specialized training in treating conditions related to adult cancers. 

Dr. Verma completed a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at SUNY Downstate, State University of New York in Brooklyn, New York. He earned his medical degree at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College Himachal Predesh University in Tanda, India. 

Debra Evans, MSN, CRNP, AOCNP, is an Oncology Nurse Practitioner with 18 years of experience in medical oncology. Debra earned her nursing degree from Penn State University in University Park, PA and completed her master’s degree in nursing, adult nurse practitioner at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. Evans also earned national certifications as an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner and Adult Nurse Practitioner and works closely with the medical oncologists to help manage patients in the outpatient setting. 

The Steward Cancer Care Center at Sharon Regional, located at 2320 Highland Road in Hermitage is a Joint Commission accredited center focused on a non-clinical, patient focused atmosphere where patients have access to the highest quality cancer care services in one central location. The Center offers a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatments including; advanced cancer treatments and therapies, board-certified physicians in medical oncology, hematology oncology, radiation oncology without having to travel to Pittsburgh or Cleveland for care. The Center accepts most insurances, including UPMC Health Plan and Highmark. Patients interested in scheduling appointments should call prior to their appointment to confirm that their health plan and network are accepted. 

Appointments may be scheduled by calling 724-983-5900. For more information, visit www.sharonregionalmedical.org/cancercare.