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Missouri Cancer Associates Adds New Physician, Enhancing Access to Quality Care

Liana Makarian, M.D., brings leadership and quality improvement expertise to the practice, complementing MCA’s world-class care team

Columbia, Missouri (August 9, 2016) – Missouri Cancer Associates (MCA), the premier cancer treatment center in mid-Missouri and an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, has added another physician to the practice to meet growing demand for its services. Liana Makarian, M.D., a medical oncologist and hematologist, joined the practice in July, providing services from MCA’s Columbia and Kirksville treatment centers.

“The addition of Dr. Makarian will allow us to continue to provide timely, high-quality patient-centered care for new and existing patients as we deal with increasing demand for our services,” said Mark Tungesvik, M.D., oncologist with Missouri Cancer Associates. “Dr. Makarian is a highly-skilled and compassionate oncologist trained in the very latest therapies and technologies for treating cancer. She also has leadership and quality improvement skills which will be a great asset to our growing practice as we meet the challenges of the evolving cancer care landscape.”

Dr. Makarian completed her undergraduate studies in human biology and mathematics at The University of Toronto in Canada. She then obtained her Medical Degree from Saba University School of Medicine in the Netherlands-Antilles, West Indies. This was followed by a co-residency in internal medicine at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, both in New York City. Dr. Makarian then completed a fellowship in oncology and hematology at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology, Dr. Makarian is interested in treating all types of cancers and blood disorders. Throughout her career, she has published and lectured on a variety of cancer-related topics, and she enjoys participating in public outreach events.

In addition to her clinical background, Dr. Makarian brings strong leadership skills and experience to MCA, having most recently been chair of the Department of Medicine at Ozarks Medical Center’s Cancer Care Center in West Plains, Mo. For several years, she also served as a Quality Improvement Committee Member for the Hematology/Oncology Division at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, gaining knowledge and expertise in various quality initiatives which will be helpful to MCA as the practice responds to the new value-based cancer care environment.

“It was important for me to join a practice that offers a high level of support for patients, as cancer patients are facing some of the most difficult and vulnerable times of their lives,” noted Dr. Makarian. “Missouri Cancer Associates has a wonderful reputation for delivering compassionate, patient-centered state-of-the-art cancer care, and I am excited to join these highly-skilled, like-minded physicians who are committed to providing the best possible outcome for the patients they serve.”

About Missouri Cancer Associates

Missouri Cancer Associates (MCA) is the largest oncology group in mid-Missouri and offers patients advanced comprehensive care from their state-of-the-art facility in Columbia, as well as treatment centers in Kirksville and Marshall. MCA has 13 cancer physicians on staff and offers a full range of hematologic care, chemotherapy and radiation services, laboratory and diagnostic testing delivered by compassionate, caring professionals dedicated to helping patients achieve optimal outcomes. The practice prides itself in offering the latest technologies to diagnose and treat cancer, including PET/CT and a full range of advanced radiation therapies. In 2014, Urology Associates of Central Missouri, a leading provider of urology services in the region, joined MCA, adding eight highly-credentialed and experienced urologists to the practice. Urology Associates of Central Missouri offers the very latest treatment options and technologies, such as robotic and minimally invasive surgery. The practice is committed to providing compassionate, quality, state-of-the-art urological care in a prompt and courteous manner. To learn more visit www.missouricancer.com and www.mo-urology.com.

Missouri Cancer Associates is united in healing with The US Oncology Network, one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. As an affiliate of The US Oncology Network, MCA is united with more than 1,000 physicians nationwide. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

Media Contact
Claire Crye
281-825-9927
Claire.Crye@usoncology.com