Get to Know: Reno CyberKnife Co-Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Tay

Dr. Jonathan Tay, co-medical director of Reno CyberKnife, is widely known for his contributions to advancing prostate cancer therapies. Dr. Tay was named one of Nevada Business Magazine’s 2010 “Health Care Heroes” for his contributions to the medical field.

Learn more about his experience since joining Reno CyberKnife.

What first drew you to radiation oncology?
Radiation oncology was always very appealing to me because the specialty involves patient care and fascinating technology.

What do you like best about your job?
The reward of being able to help a patient, whether it is to educate them to make an informed decision about treatment options, palliate symptoms with radiation and improve their quality of life, or cure their cancer.

Describe one of your most memorable experiences since you began working at Reno CyberKnife.
One of my very first patients I treated in 2008 was a man from Hawaii who had a large renal cell carcinoma but refused surgery because of his religious beliefs. After four years, he called me, asking me to send his medical records to a new urologist in Honolulu to whom he transferred his care, because his current scans showed no evidence of any cancer ever being present. His new urologist could not believe he ever had cancer or that CyberKnife® treatment would ever eradicate that type of cancer, so I enjoyed educating him about the capabilities of the CyberKnife.

What do you feel is the most important thing that Reno CyberKnife offers?
Reno CyberKnife is part of an overall comprehensive and multidisciplinary cancer program at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center that involves a whole spectrum of cancer services and treatment options.

How do you stay abreast of the latest medical developments?
I stay abreast of the latest medical developments by participating in research protocols, being involved in the scientific community and professional societies and peer-to-peer interaction, which is highly active in our small but growing community.