Debbie has been practicing as a LPN for 35 years in almost all fields of Nursing. She graduated the Nursing Program at State Fair Community College in Sedalia, MO in 1985. She spent the last 6 years living and working in northern Wyoming which she enjoyed very much. She spent a lot of time in the Big Horn Mountains and Deadwood, South Dakota. She returned to Missouri to be closer to her family. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys gardening, being outside, doing crafts and DIY projects. She is excited to be a part of the MCA Team.

Gretchen has been with MCA since 1992. Her duties include but are not limited to, assisting physicians with procedures, and navigating patient flow. “Our patient’s ability to smile through it on good days and fight through it on bad ones are attributes I admire most. They are warriors and I am honored to part of their journey. Their overall comfort is my priority.” In Gretchen’s free time she enjoys spending time with her son, two granddaughters and two grandsons, attending concert, going with her husband and dabbling in DIY crafts.

Piper graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1992 with her Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Medicine. She spent her first 10 years working in Wichita, Kansas as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist before moving to Columbia. She continued to work as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist and PET Technologist at Boone Hospital for 14 years. She joined Missouri Cancer Associates in May of 2015 as our PET Technologist. She enjoys reading and spending quality time with her friends and family. “Working at MCA has taught me that everyone has a fighting chance. We should all fight as hard and strong as our patients do, every day.

Taylor is originally from St. Louis but came to Columbia for school in 2014. She graduated in 2018 from Mizzou’s Radiography Program and joined the MCA family in 2019. She looks forward to being the patients ray of sunshine in each day and getting to know each and every patient she meets. “MCA patients are what make our jobs the best on the market.”

Diana is originally from TX but has lived in MO most of her life. She gained her love of the medical field and radiology from her dad, who was a Tech for many years before retiring. Diana enjoyed working at a preschool through college and graduated X-ray school in 2007.  Diana has enjoyed trauma scanning at the University, interventional radiology at the VA, and is thrilled to be joining the MCA family in CT!  Oncology patients have always held a special place in her heart.  Diana is married to her best friend and has three creative daughters and the sweetest three-legged rescue lab named Zoe.  She loves coffee, exploring new trails, traveling/road trips with family, and St. Louis Blues hockey.

Sonja works in our CT and X-Ray Departments. Sonja joined the Missouri Cancer Associates team in 1998. “My mission here is to make each patient feel like it’s one of the best 15 to 20 minutes of their day.”

Sean joined the MCA team in the fall of 2022. He has been in the health care field for the past 30 years and started his health care scholarship with the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1987. Sean has a degree in radiological sciences from the University of Missouri’s radiology program and an interest in anatomy and physiology. In his spare time, he is a referee for local high school and college soccer and basketball.

Iris has been a certified Medical Physicist by American Board of Radiology for over 20 years. She has worked at esteemed academic institutions, such as Loyola University as staff physicist, Henry Ford Health system as lead physicist, as well as several celebrated community hospitals. Her broad experiences and enthusiastic nature as it relates to patient care, has long been recognized. She was voted in as the President of Great Lake Regional Medical Physics Society in 2005. Along with her current Chief Medical Physicist duties, she currently serves as Co-chair of US Oncology Networks Radiation Therapy Policies and Procedures. “Providing the highest quality care while ensuring safety to all patients, is always my number one priority.”

Mark is a Medical Radiation Physicist who has worked at Missouri Cancer Associates since 2011. His duties include the routine testing of radiation-delivery equipment, assisting physicians with the planning and delivery of special high dose rate (HDR) radiation treatments, and generally helping to ensure that all radiation treatments are delivered safely and accurately. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing guitar, exercising, reading, and keeping his cat out of trouble.

Abby has been a Medical Dosimetrist with MCA since November 2005. Her role in the radiation therapy department is to work with the radiation oncologist to design a unique treatment plan for each patient. Abby is married and has 2 children. She enjoys spending time with family and traveling. “Although most patients never meet me, I take pride in knowing that I’ve played a crucial role in their cancer treatment.”

athan received his Associate of Applied Science in Medical Radiologic Technology from State Technical College of Missouri, a Bachelor of Music from Southeastern Louisiana University, and a Master of Science in Medical Dosimetry from John Patrick University.  As a Medical Dosimetrist, Nathan works as a team with the physicians and physicists to create plans for treatment delivery. Nathan is married and has two children. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, golfing, playing music, attending concerts, and traveling.

Akaysha has worked at Missouri Cancer Associates since October 2016. She received a bachelor’s degree in Radiologic Sciences from Northwest Missouri State University and then furthered her education studying Radiation Therapy at Southing Illinois University- Carbondale. In her free time, she enjoys trout fishing, spending time with family, and playing with her dogs. “I enjoy working at MCA because I get to interact with the patients each day. I love getting to know them and I enjoy being a positive, smiling face during this difficult time in their lives.”

Kim graduated from St. John’s School of Radiologic Technology in 1994 and from The University of Kansas Medical Center Radiation Therapy Technology in 1995. She spent the first 5 ½ years of her career in Springfield, MO before joining MCA in June of 2001. She has served as a representative of The Clinical Advisory Council within the US Oncology Network since 2011. In her spare time, she enjoys physical fitness, music, watching football, softball, and spending time with her family. “Radiation Oncology has changed immensely over the last 25+ years and I enjoy the challenges that come with cancer care. Getting to know the patients and their families, while providing compassionate care is what I enjoy the most!”

Michelle graduated from The University of Missouri in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Radiologic Technology. She continued her education at Barnes Jewish Hospital College with a Bachelor in Radiation Therapy in 2005. She is married and has two little girls. “I enjoy all the wonderful people I meet! Along with the precision and accuracy of my job, I hope to also be listening ears, and a friend to lift patients through their treatments!”

Tricia has worked at MCA since May 2003. She attended Avila College where she studied Radiation Therapy and completed her clinical training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. She and her husband have 2 daughters in college. She enjoys caring for her patients’ everyday as well as being a part of their support network.

I graduated from State Fair Community College with an associate degree in Allied Health and Applied Sciences. She continued her education at State Fair in Radiologic Technology and in May 2020 became a Registered Radiologic Technologist. Sidney graduated the Washburn University Radiation Therapy Program in July of 2021. “I love coming to MCA and working alongside this team and learning more and more everyday so that I can provide quality care to my patients in my new career.”

Shawna graduated from the University of Missouri in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Radiological Sciences. She furthered her education studying Radiation Therapy at Washburn University. Her husband is also a Radiation Therapist, and she has a daughter. She enjoys cooking, reading, fitness, spending time with family, and traveling. “I love using advanced technology to better the lives of our patients. We create friendships every day, as we stand alongside our patients every step of the way!”