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OUR TEAM
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Veena Charu, M.D.
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Dr. Charu has been in private practice since in 1988 in the fields of Hematology and Oncology. She is known to be extremely knowledgeable and up-to-date with the latest developments and treatments.
Prior to entering in private practice, she served as the Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Lincoln Hospital in New York, affiliated with New York Medical College. There she was honored as “Best Teacher” to residents and fellows. She has also held various prestigious positions in community hospitals, serving as the Chairman of the Department of Medicine at Anaheim Regional Medical Center and the Chairman of Cancer Committee and Tumor Board at La Palma Intercommunity Hospital.
Dr. Charu attended Nagpur Medical College in India, where she finished first-in-class in the Department of Medicine. Before immigrating to the United States, she was an Associate Professor of Medicine at Grant Medical College in Bombay, India. Dr. Charu completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Bergen Pines County Hospital in Paramus, New Jersey followed by fellowships in Hematology at New York Medical College and Oncology at Montefiore Medical Center, affiliated with Albert Einstein Medical College. She is a member of the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) and the Medical Oncology Association of Southern California (MOASC). She is triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology.
Dr. Charu is very caring, honest and devoted to her patients. She is one of the principal investigators for clinical trials that are conducted Pacific Cancer Medical Center and has authored a number of publications.
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Ajit Maniam, M.D.
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Dr. Ajit Maniam, one of the lead principal investigators has practiced medicine at Pacific Cancer Medical Center since 1996, bringing with him a host of professional affiliations, certifications, honors, and awards—including the Scholar of the Year Award and the Resident Teacher Award from Atlantic City Medical Center, and certifications from the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Oncology, and the American Board of Hematology. Dr. Maniam graduated from Madras Medical College in Madras, India, after which he completed his medical internship and residencies in Internal Medicine and General Surgery at Government General Hospital and Apollo Hospital (Madras, India) and Atlantic City Medical Center (Atlantic City, New Jersey).
Dr. Maniam served as a Research Associate at the Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Transplantation at Cornell University Medical Center’s Rogosin Institute, and completed fellowships in Hematology and Oncology at Thomas Jefferson University. He is a member of the Continuing Medical Education Committee of Anaheim Regional Medical Center.
Since joining the practice in 1996, Dr. Maniam has endeavored to provide individuals with compassionate, leading-edge care that takes into account their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. His colleagues know him to be exceedingly caring, extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, dedicated, and honest.
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Shelton J. Colinco (Jim), PA-C
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Jim joined the Pacific Cancer Medical Center team in 2001. A Certified Physician Assistant and Sub-Investigator, Jim has over 15 years of clinical experience, excelling in areas including Hematology, Oncology, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, and Blood and Marrow Transplant Services. He has worked extensively with patients receiving chemotherapy.
Jim graduated magna cum laude from Bernard Baruch College of CUNY with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, and later received a Master of Science in Medical Clinical Sciences from Emory University School of Medicine. He belongs to the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) and the California Academy of Physician Assistants (CAPA). Jim is a proud father who enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and caring for his patients. He speaks Tagalog, a native language of the Phillipines.
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Adrienne E. Wasserman, MSN, NP
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Adrienne’s nursing career began in the Emergency Department of Methodist Hospital in Philadelphia, where she worked for several years performing patient assessment, triage, treatment, and evaluation. During this time, Adrienne completed graduate work in the Adult Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a Master’s Degree in Nursing, with a minor in Adult Oncology. Prior to her graduate studies, Adrienne attended Thomas Jefferson University—where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing—as well as Dickinson College, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Her certifications include Adult Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse Practitioner and Chemotherapy Infusion.
Recently relocated from Philadelphia, Adrienne is enjoying exploring her new town of Long Beach. During her free time she swims, hikes, runs, practices yoga, and spends time with her husband and dog, Olive. Adrienne belongs to Sigma Theta Tau International Society and the Oncology Nursing Society.
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Alpa Patel, PA-C
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Alpa earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California, San Diego, going on to obtain a master’s degree in Medical Clinical Sciences from Barry University in Miami, Florida. She was honored with the Student Council Leadership Award at Barry University, and received Special Recognition on her surgery exam. Prior to joining the staff at Pacific Cancer Medical Center in October 2004, Alpa worked as a Physician Assistant specializing in Cardiology at Pacific Cardiovascular Associates. She is certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
Alpa is fluent in Spanish, Hindi, and Gujarati and is a member of CAPA. She spends her free time with her husband cooking, traveling, reading, raising their two young boys, and enjoying outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and trips to Disneyland.
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Sharon Westerberg, PA-C
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With over 12 years of experience as a Certified Physician Assistant in Oncology, Sharon takes pride in providing patients' with the best care. Sharon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychobiology from Beaver College, Pennsylvania. She then went on to graduate as Magna Cum Laude obtaining her Masters Degree from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences, California. Sharon strives and exceeds in delivering compassionate quality care to every patient.
During her free time, she enjoys all sports, both as spectator and participant. Sharon coaches her children’s youth basketball team and is a fanatic of the Los Angeles Lakers.
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