Dr. Namrata Patel

"Philosophy of care | As a medical oncologist, I try to empower my patients as much as possible – I will give you information, make recommendations, and encourage you to make informed decisions. Many of my patients initially (with newly-diagnosed cancer) have significant internal chaos. Providing information and orientation is often very calming – it is like shining a flashlight in a dark cave, so that one can see what is there, and understand everything better. When I meet you for the first time, sometimes the most important thing that I can do is to restore order to that internal chaos. | Why I entered medicine | I grew up with significant allergies, asthma and eczema during a time when there were no bronchodilators, and allergies were poorly understood. Due to sparse knowledge, I was constantly exposed to allergens from dogs, cats, feather pillows, etc. Due to sparse medical remedies (only prednisone available at that time), I was seemingly always ill. This engendered a desire to become a doctor and somehow exert some control. I was also interested in working in a field that would enable me to serve people in need. Medical oncology interested me in particular, because its research questions closely aligned with my research interests in graduate school. | Community involvement | In the past, I was a volunteer for WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) in Philadelphia, and acted as a rape crisis counselor at one of the designated intake ERs in the city. I also participated in developing a Safe Touch program in the Philadelphia school system. As a WOAR volunteer, I conducted workshops with parents and teachers about teaching Safe Touch to children, in order to help children recognize sexual abuse and feel empowered to report it. | Personal interests | My favorite thing in the whole world now is to spend time with my (grown) children and other family members. In a ""previous life"", I used to enjoy tent camping, ballroom dancing, playing the piano, crocheting, and reading (Sci Fi books).". Dr. Austin is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Follicular Lymphoma. Her top areas of expertise are Follicular Lymphoma, Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Pleuropulmonary Blastoma.

Dr. Castillo is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cancer physician specializing in medical oncology and medical hematology. His clinical and research interests include multi-tumor. Dr. Castillo earned his medical degree from the Universidad de Montemorelos Escuela de Medicina in Mexico. He then moved to the United States to complete his residency at Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center and his fellowship in hematology and oncology at Hahnemann University Hospital. Dr. Castillo is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in hematology and medical oncology. He speaks English and Spanish. Dr. Castillo is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Follicular Lymphoma. His top areas of expertise are Paget Disease of the Breast, Multiple Myeloma, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), and Lynch Syndrome.

Dr. Brady is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cancer physician specializing in hematology. Dr. Brady attended New York Medical College, where he received his medical degree, and completed his residency at Geisinger Medical Center. He completed a fellowship in hematology at New York Medical College. Dr. Brady is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in hematology. Dr. Brady is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Follicular Lymphoma. His top areas of expertise are Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Richter Syndrome, and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL).