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Health Matters: Providence Saint John's Health Center | 3 A Collaborative Approach General thoracic surgeon Dr. Baiya Krishnadasan focuses on surrounding his patients with a reassuring team. Baiya Krishnadasan, MD, says practicing medicine is in his DNA, literally. "My folks were both physicians," he explains, adding that his original plan in medical school was to become a pediatrician. He then switched his direction to heart surgery before arriving at his ultimate specialty, thoracic surgery. As it turns out, it was the perfect choice for Dr. Krishnadasan because it involves working collaboratively with both patients and colleagues at Providence Saint John's Health Center. "The interaction I have in regard to patient care here is rich and robust," he says. "I get to work with like-minded physicians in a multidisciplinary environment." Dr. Krishnadasan explains that when it comes to patients, it's also very much a team effort. "I talk to patients about all the alternatives they have. They meet with a care team, and that gives them confidence that whatever choice they make, it's the right one for them." To date, he has performed more than 1,500 robotic chest surgeries, including many for early-stage lung cancer. Because he was an early adopter, Dr. Krishnadasan now teaches and supervises other surgeons mastering robotic techniques. He is an advocate of the minimally invasive option because it reduces patients' recovery time by at least a month compared to conventional surgery. He also likes working with medical residents, physician assistants and nurse practitioners as they complete their training. "Education is something I'm pretty passionate about," he says. Dr. Krishnadasan received his medical degree from the University of California, Davis, and completed his internship and residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. In his free time, he visits L.A.'s world-class museums, building upon his extensive knowledge of art history. And he often can be found working out. "I'm an every-day-in-the-gym guy, no matter what time I get off work," he says. If you are interested in learning more about Providence Saint John's expert lung cancer care or the treatments and services offered for other benign and malignant chest diseases, visit providence.org/saintjohns or call 844-510-4325. The Importance of Building Relationships Specializing in surgical and therapeutic treatments, Dr. Hyo Park guides women through treating the most intimate of cancers. Hyo Park, MD, was studying genetics in college and planning a career in genomic research when she realized that what she really wanted was "to make a difference with patients" on a daily basis. Now, as a gynecologic oncologist at Saint John's Cancer Institute, she says she values the relationships she has established with her patients. Because Dr. Park provides care to women with reproductive cancers, she is trained in both surgical and therapeutic treatments. "I see my patients throughout their care and that helps me be a better steward for them," she says. "That comprehensive experience is really important in guiding the patient." Since joining the Providence Saint John's team late last year, Dr. Park has come to appreciate the collaborative approach at the health center 's Women's Health and Wellness Institute, which allows her patients to receive personalized care from start to finish. "I'm fortunate to work in a cancer center where we have integrated, multidisciplinary care," she says, noting that her patients are supported by nutritionists, psychiatrists and social workers as needed. Dr. Park received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. After graduation, she completed her internship and residency at Northwestern University 's Feinberg School of Medicine. A fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine followed. Dr. Park has extensive experience with robotic surgeries, which is technology she prefers when appropriate because it means faster recoveries and less pain for patients who undergo the minimally invasive procedures. She is board- certified in OB-GYN. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Dr. Park developed a love of the outdoors. As a kid, she achieved a black belt in tae kwon do, though she no longer practices the martial art. When not taking care of patients, she likes to hike, paddleboard and scuba dive. She also describes herself as a novice woodworker, even though the first project she took on was a 24-foot-wide console unit. "It turned out pretty nicely," she says, "after a lot of trial and error." To learn more about Providence Saint John's Women's Health and Wellness Institute, visit providence.org/saintjohns or call 833-3FOR-HER (336-7437).

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