Your Gynecologic Cancer Medical Team at The University of Colorado Cancer Center

Institutes of Excellence-like the University of Colorado Cancer Center-are known for attracting the best and brightest doctors due to their unique research and educational opportunities. This means each doctor on your care team has superior training in his or her area of expertise. These doctors then bring their specialties together to create a patient-focused approach for each individual patient.

Each doctor on the team has a different area of expertise in gynecologic cancer. Together, they combine their skills to determine and provide what’s best for you-an individual patient-based upon the type of cancer you have, how far it has spread, and even based upon your genes.

The UCCC Gynecologic Cancer Program Team:

• Provides state-of-the-art care for those diagnosed with gynecologic cancers
• Is recognized as a center for developing and setting new standards in the treatment of gynecologic cancers
• Is recognized as a center for second opinions on all aspects of gynecologic cancer care

Team Members Include:

Gynecologic Oncologists

The chance of surviving gynecologic cancer is greatly improved if you involve a gynecologic oncologist and multi-specialist care team at the beginning of your treatment.

Gynecologic oncologists are trained to provide virtually all medical care for women who have been diagnosed with certain types of cancer. Because of their specialized training, gynecologic oncologists can be there for patients every step of the way. From diagnosis to surgery to any additional care, such as chemotherapy, patients have one doctor they can turn to.

We have four highly respected gynecologic oncologists on staff to effectively manage your care. They are:

Kian Behbakht, MD, an associate professor, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and subspecialty-certified in gynecologic oncology.

• His  clinical interests include endoscopic and fertility-preserving procedures in gynecologic cancer
• His research interests include pathogenesis of ovarian cancer and the epidemiology of cervical cancer

Susan Davidson, MD, associate professor and section chief of Gynecologic Oncology, is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and subspecialty certified in Gynecologic Oncology. Her clinical and research interests are:

• Clinical trials for gynecologic cancers
• Intraperitoneal chemotherapy
• Surgical management of advanced ovarian cancer
• Minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery

Dr. Davidson is ranked by 5280 magazine as one of the top doctors in the state.

Michael Kelly, MD, an assistant professor, was educated at Yale and is board-eligible in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Gynecologic Oncology. His clinical interests are:

• Minimally invasive pelvic surgery
• Management of ovarian cancer, including surgery and chemotherapy administration
• Aggressive types of uterine cancers
• Cervical, vaginal and vulvar dysplasia

His research interests are:

• Aggressive types of uterine cancers
• Identifying novel molecular based therapies for the treatment of ovarian cancers
• Development and implementation of novel minimally invasive surgical techniques in gynecology and gynecology oncology such as robotics

Monique Spillman, MD, PhD, an assistant professor, is a scholar in the Colorado Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Center, an National Health Institute-funded program that provides research training to obstetrician/gynecologists. She is board eligible in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in  Gynecologic Oncology. She was educated at Duke University Medical Center.

Radiation Oncologists 

Doctors who treat cancer using radiation therapy are called Radiation Oncologists. Our radiation oncologist specializes in gynecologic cancers.

Tracey E. Schefter, MD, is an associate professor of Radiation Oncology, and is board certified in Radiation Oncology. She was educated in Ontario , Canada and at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Urologic Oncologists

Urologic Oncologists are doctors who specialize in cancers of the urinary system (kidney, bladder) and male reproductive organs. Because gynecologic cancer can involve or spread to the urinary organs, you may receive care from this type of physician.

Shandra S. Wilson, MD, is an associate professor and is the Practice Plan Director of Urologic Oncology. She is board certified in Urology and specialty- trained in the creation of continent urinary diversion following bladder removal. She was educated at Washington University, USC, University of Mississippi and University of Colorado.

Other Care Team Members

Oncology Social Worker – Helps patients and their families manage the stresses that are associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. They also can direct you to the resources you need.

Nurses or Registered Nurses (RNs) – A health care professional who serves as the primary point of contact for patients during the care and recovery process.

Nutritionists – Show you how you can use diet and exercise to improve your response to treatment.

Physician Assistant – Clinicians licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a licensed doctor. PAs receive education specifically in the practice of medicine.

Integrative medicine – Choose complementary care therapists, such as acupuncturists, aromatherapists or a Chinese herbal pharmacist, as an optional part of your entire treatment program.

Residents – Our residency program for doctors ensures that hospitalized patients always have access to a doctor.