Tina Kocher, NP -Beacon Medical Group Oncology Elkhart

About Dr. Wierman Meredith K. Wierman, D.O., grew up in a family of medical providers. Her mother and grandmother were nurses and her father a physician. When she was a child, her family moved to Rwanda where her parents ran a small hospital and they lived on the hospital grounds. Later, her father had a pretty large private practice in a small town. “I think I knew at an early age that I wanted a career in medicine after watching my father take care of so many people in my small town,” she says. Her father’s practice was just part of their life. “We grew up with patients calling our house and dropping by the house to get “looked at” or to get advice,” she says. “I would go with my father after church on Sunday to do “house calls” and check on certain patients; I still remember those days very well.” Her interest in microbiology led her to become an internist who specializes in infectious diseases. She did her internal medicine training in Detroit where she recalls they saw a lot of patients with very complex and interesting infections and infectious diseases. “I have always been interested in microbiology,” she says. “It has always been fascinating to me that with all of our advances in medicine and science, that we still have these microscopic organisms that are a major threat in the human body.” With advanced technology, X-rays and laboratory work readily available, Dr. Wierman says she still thinks listening to a patient or their family is the most important thing in medicine. “I want my patients to know that my first goal is to listen to them and really try to hear what they are telling me,” she says. “Listening is so much more important than the provider talking.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life? My parents; they are very hard workers and have always taught me to stand up for what is right. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it? Probably mucking out horse stalls. What is your favorite food? Movie? Food: BBQ shrimp from Mr. B’s in New Orleans Movie: Secretariat What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up? Best subject: biology Worst: accounting; still bad at it. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why? My best friend who passed away 12 years ago. In addition to medicine, what are you passionate about? I have always ridden horses. I grew up on a farm, competing and riding horses most of my life. I have a horse now and my daughters also ride. I like to travel. What is something most people don’t know about you? I love New Orleans and my family visits several times a year.

Dr. Omer Toor learned a valuable lesson from his mentors in medical school that he applies in his practice daily. "I treat patients, not the disease," said Dr. Toor, who is a native of Pakistan. "I support and comfort families while patients are battling the toughest experience of their lives. Cancer effects them physically as well as emotionally, and my job as their physician is to listen and stand beside them when they need me." Breakthrough scientific discoveries are happening at a pace never seen before in the field of cancer management. Dr. Toor has a research background in precision medicine. Therefore he works to find treatments in line with new discoveries that can provide the best outcomes and provide state-of-the-art management at the patient's doorstep. In addition to treating his patients, Dr. Toor understands the importance of listening. "I listen, then talk. I want to know my patient as a person," he said. "Whether it's a mother with cancer who is making memories for her daughter, a cancer survivor helping to create awareness, or a son planning a trip with his dad, who has advanced stage cancer, my patients are my role models." In his own words: What were your favorite subjects in school? I was fascinated by my chemistry and physics classes, and enjoyed learning how nature works. What is your favorite food? Do I have to pick just one? I love food and like almost everything, so it's impossible to choose just one food or cuisine. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Traveling, running and reading. What is something most people don't know about you? I can cook, and I cry watching movies. Describe a family tradition. Our family always gathers together on holidays.

To become an expert in your field requires decades of hands-on experience in a variety of settings and situations. William A. Castaldo, MD, has been in the role of staff physician and intensivist, at hospitals and medical centers. He has also served as medical director at hospitals in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Ohio, as well as serving on a variety of committees in various capacities. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Fordham University, Bronx, NY, and his MD degree at Perugia University Medical School, Perugia, Italy. Postdoctoral training included being an intern and resident in internal medicine at New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center, New Rochelle, NY. He completed a pulmonary fellowship at Albany Medical Center Hospital, Albany Medical College of Union University.