Contributed Article/Courtesy MGRMC
SAFFORD – MGRMC is pleased to announce the addition of our new oncologist, Dr. Stephen J. Iacoboni, MD.
Dr. Iacoboni’s career in oncology has most recently led him to the position of Medical Director at Good Shepard Health Cancer Center in Hermiston, Oregon, since 2019. Dr. Iacoboni graduated with honors from Occidental College and UC San Francisco medical school. He rose rapidly in his profession as a junior professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Early in his career, he realized that his true passion lay at the bedside of his patients, rather than in research and academia. In 1986, he became the first board-certified medical oncologist in the Walla Walla, Washington area. Since then, he has worked tirelessly, dedicating himself to the care of his patients. His career has taken him to several places across the West, where he has set up and run oncology programs, serving as the Medical Director of cancer centers in Walla Walla, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; Kennewick, Washington; and Reno, Nevada.
In response to growing oncology needs in Graham County, the MGRMC cancer center specialty clinic opened May 12, 2006. “This center is a milestone that we hope touches the spirit of anyone who walks through its doors”, said then board president John Ratje at the groundbreaking. In the past, cancer patients would have to travel long distances.”
Recently, with a shortage of oncologists around the country, Arizona Blood and Cancer announced to their patients that they would discontinue visiting Safford and would only see patients in Tucson. Having been notified simultaneously, MGRMC has been working diligently to hire oncologists, launching a new MGRMC oncology program.
We want to thank all the patients from Southeast Arizona and New Mexico who have patiently awaited this announcement, as this news could not come soon enough for many. We thank you for your patience and all your encouraging phone calls. We look forward to serving you here at home. In addition to welcoming new oncologists, MGRMC is undertaking a comprehensive remodel of the specialty clinic to serve our patients better.
We expect Dr. Iacoboni to be on campus, seeing patients in mid-September. MGRMC is pursuing additional oncology providers for the specialty clinic, and we anticipate making more announcements soon.
