Our Team
Doctors
Every patient at Perth Radiation Oncology is under the care of a radiation oncologist who is a cancer specialist with expertise in the application of radiation therapy. All of the doctors at PRO are trained to treat the full spectrum of cancer types, however, each doctor has particular specialized interests. Our radiation oncologists maintain strong academic, teaching and clinical research interests, and a commitment to your well being. Your radiation oncologist will oversee your radiation therapy treatments, working with the other members of the radiation therapy team to develop your treatment plan and ensure that each treatment is given accurately. Your radiation oncologist will also monitor your progress and adjust the treatment as necessary to make sure the radiation is hitting its target while minimizing side effects. Before, during and after your radiation therapy treatments, your radiation oncologist works closely with other cancer doctors, such as medical oncologists and surgeons, to maximize the radiation's effectiveness.
Radiation oncologists have completed at least six years of medical school, one year of general medical training, one year of residency and four years of specialty training in radiation oncology. They have extensive training in cancer medicine and the safe use of radiation to treat disease.
Perth Radiation Oncology's Radiation Oncologists are:
Christopher Harper, Managing Partner, MBBS, Dip. Obstets. DRACOG, FRANZCR
Dr Harper completed his initial medical and radiation oncology training in Western Australia, before undertaking post-graduate studies at Middlesex Hospital (UK), Princess Margaret Hospital (Toronto, Canada), and the Shands Cancer Centre (University of Florida, Gainesville, USA). Currently, Dr Harper is the managing partner at PRO, senior radiation oncologist for the Radiosurgery unit at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, as well as a visiting consultant radiation oncologist at Royal Perth Hospital. He is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Cancer Clinic at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. He maintains ongoing affiliation with and high-level involvement in a number of international, national and state-level radiation oncology organizations. He is on the clinical staff of Hollywood Private Hospital, St John of God Hospital and the Mount Hospital.
Dr Harper has special interests in neuro-oncology (brain tumours), stereotactic radiosurgery, brachytherapy (in particular episcleral plaque brachytherapy), image guided 3D CRT, breast, urogenital and lower gastro-intestinal tumours. As part of his role as managing partner of PRO, he has also developed strong interests in quality assurance processes.
In his spare time, Dr Harper enjoys sailing, football (Australian Rules), and show jumping.
Janelle Heywood, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Heywood completed her initial medical training and radiation oncology training in Queensland. Following this she spent a year working as a clinical lecturer to the department of clinical oncology at the Western General Hospital (Edinburgh, U.K.), as well as undertaking clinical research in head and neck malignancies (in particular, laryngeal cancers). Since achieving consultant status, Dr Heywood worked at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (attending Royal Perth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital for Children also) before commencing work as a full time consultant at Perth Radiation Oncology in 1994. From PRO Dr Heywood also attends satellite clinics at Murdoch and Bunbury.
Dr Heywood is an active member of breast cancer groups, the Royal Perth Hospital colo-rectal group involved in national consensus colo-rectal guidelines, head and neck cancer combined clinics, and two of the three thoracic oncology groups in Perth. She maintains a strong interest in skin, breast, head and neck cancers, non-hodgkins lymphoma, bone marrow transplantation and total body irradiation.
In her spare time, Dr Heywood enjoys bush-walking, swimming and spending time with her daughters.
Barry Cassidy, MBBS, FFRad (T) (UK)
Dr Cassidy completed his medical schooling in London, and undertook his radiation oncology training in both the UK and South Africa. Since his registration, he has worked as a consultant radiation oncologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Fremantle Hospital and PRO. He is a visiting specialist to St John of God Hospital, and Hollywood Private Hospital, and attends satellite clinics in Bunbury and Murdoch.
Dr Cassidy's interests within radiation oncology include gynaecologic oncology, head and neck, breast, colorectal cancers and soft tissue sarcoma.
Dr Cassidy's interests outside medicine include rugby union (in which he coaches juniors and is a referee), netball and opera.
Jerome Freund, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Freund attended medical school in New South Wales, and completed his radiation oncology training in both Sydney and Perth. Following this he was employed as a fellow in radiation oncology at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver (Canada), and as a tutor and examiner in the department of surgery at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada). In 1995 he commenced employment as a consultant radiation oncologist at Royal Perth Hospital and PRO. From PRO he also attends satellite clinics in Mandurah and Bunbury.
Dr Freund maintains interests in head, neck and lung cancers, lymphoma and sarcoma malignancies, and brachytherapy. He is a member of the quality assurance committee for clinical oncology at Royal Perth Hospital, the chairman of the Head and Neck Group, and a member of the combined clinics for breast lung, head and neck and urological cancers.
Dr Freund's hobbies include skiing, bike riding, and he has a strong interest in the history of medicine.
Yvonne Zissiadis, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Zissiadis completed her general medical and radiation oncology training in Western Australia and New South Wales. As a Radiation Oncology Fellow, she worked at the Breast Cancer Institute at Westmead Hospital (NSW) before taking up a position as Consultant Radiation Oncologist at the Prince of Wales Hospital (Randwick, NSW). In 1999 she also undertook a clinical fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, USA). Since then she has been employed as a consultant radiation oncologist at PRO.
Dr Zissiadis is particularly interested in breast, upper GI, colorectal lymphoma, and urological cancers, as well as in patient education and satisfaction.
Dr Zissiadis's interests outside of medicine include cooking, reading and swimming.
Margaret Latham, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Latham completed her general medical and radiation oncology training in Western Australia. She also undertook a brief period of work as a visiting medical officer at Allegheny General Hospital (Pittsburgh, USA) and the Harvard Joint Center for Radiation Therapy (Boston, USA). She commenced employment at PRO as a consultant radiation oncologist in 2000.
Dr Latham is particularly interested in breast, lung and neuro-oncology, and is a member of several committees, including the Catholic Doctors Association WA, the Multidisciplinary Breast Group (RPH), Multidisciplinary Lung Group (RPH), and the Breast Advisory Committee WA.
In her spare time, Dr Latham is a weekend farmer and enjoys craft activities such as mosaic art.
Serena Sia, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Sia completed her medical degree in Western Australia in 1993. Her postgraduate training in radiation oncology took place in both Western Australia and Victoria. She has a special interest in genitourinary, gynaecological and breast malignancies.
In 2001, she worked as a Radiation Oncology Fellow at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne researching prostate cancer. She subsequently did a fellowship in gynaecological oncology at Royal Perth Hospital/King Edward Memorial Hospital where she worked on projects to improve the treatment outcome of cervix cancer. She is also actively involved in the set up and on going development of our high dose rate brachytherapy unit at Royal Perth Hospital. Presently, the unit is largely used for treating gynaecological and gastrointestinal malignancies. She plans to expand this service to treat prostate cancer.
In her spare time, Dr Sia enjoys travel, shopping, relaxing in the Southwest and spending quality time with her family.
Colin Tang, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Tang undertook his medical and radiation oncology training based in Perth and Brisbane (Queensland). He commenced employment as a fellow of radiation oncology at PRO in 2005. He maintains research and clinical interests in serous papillary and clear cell carcinoma of the uterus, gynecological malignancies in general, head and neck oncology, positron emission tomography, lymphoma, and tin foil electron therapy of nose skin cancers.
His hobbies include orchid growing and gardening, tending his aquarium, playing basketball, swimming and spending time with his family.
Tee Lim, MBBS, FRANZCR
Dr Lim completed medical school at Monash University (Melbourne). His radiation oncology training took place in Western Australia and Queensland. He commenced employment as a fellow of radiation oncology at PRO in 2005. He then undertook clinical fellowship in genitourinary oncology with special interests in permanent seed and HDR prostate brachytherapy as well Image Guided Radiotherapy at the Ordette Cancer Centre (Toronto, Canada), the University of California San Francisco Medical Centre (San Francisco, USA) and Seattle Prostate Institute (Seattle, USA).
Dr Lim is particularly interested in genitourinary, thoracic, gynaecological and gastrointestinal cancers, and total lymphoid irradiation for cardiac transplant rejection.
In his spare time, Dr Lim enjoys sports, travelling and spending time with his family.
Radiation Therapists
Radiation therapists work with radiation oncologists to plan and administer the daily radiation treatment under the doctor's prescription and supervision. Radiation therapists also work in simulation and dose planning, using computers to develop and optimize treatment plans and calculate the dose of radiation to be delivered to the targeted tumour. They collaborate with medical physicists and radiation oncologists to develop the treatment plan that is best for you.
They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure they are working properly. Radiation therapists undertake either a four year bachelor degree in therapeutic radiography, or a two year masters degree in therapeutic radiography following a science or health-related undergraduate degree. Following graduation radiation therapists complete a professional development year (PDY), working under the supervision of senior radiation therapists.
Nurses
The nurses at Perth Radiation Oncology work to assist and ensure seamless integration of all facets of radiation oncology treatment and care from initial consultation to discharge from care. They provide a professional caring, supporting and coordinating role for patients referred to the practice, as well as attending to their day to day nursing care needs.
Patients and their families can expect assistance from the nursing staff with appointment arrangements; information materials; advice and support during and after simulation, planning and treatment; and management of side effects, dressings and medications.
Physicists
Medical physicists at Perth Radiation Oncology provide the underlying assurance of treatment quality received by patients who attend one of the centre's therapy machines. These scientists are independent of PRO (being employed by Royal Perth Hospital) and they verify the quantity of dose delivered to patients by checking the accuracy of each treatment plan, calibrating the various clinical machines (linear accelerators and brachytherapy machines as well as the equipment used to image the disease) and measuring the doses delivered by these. They are also responsible for planning special treatments for unique patients, such as brachytherapy treatments for cancer of the eye or other uncommon sites.
The physicists also work towards the introduction of new treatment techniques and modern equipment by comprehensively testing and commissioning new modalities prior to use on patients. In doing so, they work in close collaboration with the clinicians, therapists and engineers to evaluate new technology when it is introduced at PRO. Medical physicists also design the future facilities for new equipment and are responsible for providing advice on the radiation safety of patients, staff and the public.
Engineers
PRO have a team of factory trained and qualified engineers with over thirty years worth of experience specifically with the medical and therapy equipment used for treatment. Working flexible hours they are dedicated to maintaining treatment equipment to the highest standards and to ensuring that the machines are available at all times to provide treatment as required. PRO carry a broad range of spare parts for the equipment it runs to ensure that when infrequent repairs are required, they can be carried out in the shortest amount of time possible, so that machine availability is maximised. Our engineers also provide technical support for the whole treatment process including xray machines, treatment planning computers and administration networks.
Mould Room
PRO employs technicians to produce all treatment accessories within the practice, rather than outsourcing them. This ensures that each patient has exactly the right mask, positioning block or shield for their individual needs. The mould room technicians are expert in creating innovative accessories that fit any purpose, often finding new materials or methods to further refine the treatment process.
Education Team
The education team supports the spirit of the mission and values of PRO through education and development. They coordinate the training of new radiation therapists in the Monash Master of Radiation Therapy program and the continuing professional development (CPD) program. In doing the latter they organize regular training seminars including the annual education meeting, where PRO staff share their research findings with colleagues from PRO and further afield. The education team are currently enjoying their successes with the recent graduation and employment of the first cohort of Monash students.
Administration
The treatment process at PRO is ably supported by a competent network of clerical staff, including receptionists, accounting staff, typists and human resources.
