At the Northeast Texas Cancer & Research Institute

CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic

903-606-4300

Advanced Cancer Care Available in Northeast Texas

We have blended the cancer care missions of CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology to provide high‑quality, evidence‑based care in Tyler, Texas. We brought together the best cancer care doctors from different disciplines to focus on treating you while concentrating on healing the whole person.

Multidisciplinary Oncology Care in One Building

You will have different cancer doctors and physicians treating your cancer during your treatments. Our new multi-million-dollar campus allows you to see your doctors at one location. In addition, a patient's team of specialists will be in the same building:

 

Award-Winning Care

Outstanding Achievement Award from the American College of Surgeons-Commission on Cancer

Commission on Cancer

Hours & Locations

CHRISTUS

Trinity Clinic

501 Saunders Ave. , Tyler, TX 75702
903-606-4300
Hours
  • Monday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Tuesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

Hear Our Patients' Stories

Cynthia's Story

What We Treat

  • Leukemia

    Leukemia is a type of cancer involving blood-forming tissues, bone marrow, and the lymphatic system. Learn more about the common types of leukemia here.

    Learn More
  • Liver Cancer

    Learn More
  • Lung Cancer

    Find lung cancer screenings & treatment near you. Our highly skilled and board-certified oncologists provide top-of-the-line lung cancer care.

    Learn More
  • Lymphoma

    Leukemia is a type of cancer involving blood-forming tissues, bone marrow, and the lymphatic system. Learn more about the common types of lymphoma here.

    Learn More
  • Melanoma

    Melanoma is a common type of cancer that affects the skin. Learn about signs, symptoms and risk factors.

    Learn More
  • Nose Cancer

    Learn about the signs and symptoms of nose cancer and CHRISTUS Health's approach to personalized care.

    Learn More
  • Pancreatic Cancer

    Learn about pancreatic cancer types, signs and symptoms. Also learn about screening and treatment programs.

    Learn More
  • Prostate Cancer

    Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men. Learn about signs, symptoms and treatment.

    Learn More
  • Radiation Free Treatment

    Learn about an FDA-approved device that has been shown, in clinical trials, to safely deliver continuous therapy to the area affected by cancerous brain tumors.

    Learn More
  • Radiation Therapy

    Learn about the different types of radiation therapy and about what happens during the procedures.

    Learn More
  • Soft Tissue Cancer

    Learn More
  • Stomach Cancer

    Cancer affecting your stomach is also called gastric cancer. Learn about signs and symptoms and common risk factors.

    Learn More
  • Surgical Oncology

    Surgical oncology is the branch of medicine that deals with the surgical treatment of cancer. This includes the removal of cancerous tumors and the reconstruction or repair of the surrounding tissue.

    Learn More
  • Throat Cancer

    Learn about the two areas of the throat that can get cancer and the different types of throat cancer. Learn about signs and symptoms and treatment and procedures.

    Learn More
  • Thyroid Cancer

    Learn about the different types of thyroid cancer and the signs and symptoms.

    Learn More
  • Urological

    Learn how CHRISTUS Health's Urologic Oncologists work to ensure that the most advanced treatments are provided to our patients.

    Learn More

 

Meet Our Northeast Texas Cancer Surgery Team

Our board-certified surgical oncologists and specialty physicians specialize in treating nearly every cancer type. When cancer is involved, tumors almost always require a surgical oncologist. Our team works hand in hand with your oncology care team to determine the best options for care.

Head & Neck Surgeon in Tyler, Texas

Dr. Scott Kohlert specializes in Head & Neck Surgery; he is board certified in Otolaryngology and is the only surgeon in East Texas with advanced fellowship training in head and neck cancer surgery and reconstruction. Dr. Kohlert’s special interests include cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box and sinonasal cavities. He also performs surgery for skin cancer and neck masses, as well as thyroid/parathyroid surgery, sinus surgery and advanced procedures for sleep apnea.

Steven Curley

 

Meet Dr. Kohlert

Cancer Surgeon

Dr. Elaine Vo graduated with her undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology from Johns Hopkins before attending medical school and performing her residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She completed a fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology. Dr. Vo has the ability to treat all soft tissue cancers, GI cancers including stomach, pancreas, small bowel, colorectal, and liver, breast cancers, melanoma, and sarcoma. She is board-certified in both Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.

Dr. Elain Vo

 

Meet Dr. Vo

Advanced Robotic Surgical Oncologist

Dr. David Smith is an advanced robotic surgeon and heads the institute’s robotic surgery program. Dr. Smith treats esophageal, stomach, pancreas, small bowel, colorectal, liver cancers and melanoma and sarcomas. He also does paraesophageal hernia repairs and anti-reflux operations. Dr. Smith is board certified in both Surgery and Surgical Critical Care.

David Smith

 

Meet Dr. Smith

Lung Cancer Program

Dr. Suman Sinha and Dr. James Caccitolo lead CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic's lung nodule screening and lung cancer program.

Suman Sinha

Dr. Suman Sinha

 

James Caccitolo

Dr. James Caccitolo

 

 

Cardio-Oncology Program

Dr. Peter Pitonak leads CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic's cardio-oncology program.

Peter Pitonak

Dr. Peter Pitonak

 

Patient & Caregiver Support Group

CHRISTUS Surgical Oncology at the Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute is now offering two different support groups for our patients and their loved ones. If you would like to meet with others who are walking a similar journey, this would be a great opportunity for you.

Our cancer support groups are intended for individuals with any type of cancer and their loved ones. Join us for educational and supportive discussions on various topics related to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Connect with peers who may have similar questions and concerns.

  • The group is free and open to the community, regardless of where your loved one receives their cancer care 
  • This is an open group, and you can attend on any of the dates that work for you, however registration ahead of time is highly recommended
  • Light refreshments will be provided 

Both groups will meet in-person twice a month for six months (April 2023-September 2023). Please see below for dates and location details. 

Patient Support Group Dates

Event Details: 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m., 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month

2023 Dates: August 1, August 15, September 5, September 19

Caregiver Support Group Dates

Event Details: 3 - 4:30 p.m., 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 

2023 Dates: August 3, August 17, September 7, September 21 

Location

Northeast Texas Cancer and Research Institute, 501 Saunders Ave, Tyler, TX, 75702

  •  CHRISTUS Conference Room, Level One, Room 1101 
Questions and Registration 

For questions or to register, please call Lauren Legnitto at (903) 606-6727. 

 

Our Oncology Team

Meet Our Colleagues From Texas Oncology

Helping You Navigate Treatment Before and After

 

Navigator Program

Ashley Parnell, RN leads our nurse navigator team and assists new patients diagnosed when they come into the center. Being diagnosed with cancer is frightening. Ashley will help guide patients through the building, answer questions or concerns, and help make appointments.

Survivorship Program

Led by physician assistant Jacob Krause, the Oncology Institute provides survivorship care to help with any issues patients have after treatment. Treatment and therapy can affect a patient’s ability to eat or move around freely. Our survivorship program continues to treat and help patients experiencing these side effects.

Treatment and Diagnosis Tools 

The new institute sets the standard for outpatient cancer care and will allow CHRISTUS Health and Texas Oncology providers to work in a multidisciplinary manner. Patients will benefit from this approach by receiving care from specialists and surgeons with access to the latest technology for treatment and diagnosis, including:

  • Chemotherapy 
  • Advanced Imaging Center with 3T MRI, PET/CT, CT, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine and more 
  • Radiation therapy and radiosurgery 
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Surgical intervention 

Additional tools

  • Support and education services 
  • Pharmacy 
  • Lab
  • Dietician

Benefits of Receiving Care Close to Home

Three generations of women hugging each other

Receiving cancer treatment in your hometown can go a long way in making the process easier for you and your loved ones.

Read More

Sarah Parnell

Learn from a CHRISTUS expert about how to manage your diet after surgery

Oncology surgical procedures can have wide-ranging effects on your life, including your eating habits. Proper post-surgical dietary management is crucial to manage symptoms, facilitate healing, and enhance your overall quality of life.

Click below to learn more from Sarah Parnell, RN and surgical oncology nurse navigator.

Learn more about Post-Surgical Dietary Management

Cancer Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that involve people and are aimed at evaluating whether treatments are safe and effective. Every standard cancer treatment we have today went through a clinical trial to become the standard.

Learn More

Diagnostic Screenings

We believe in efficient and affordable health care. A key element of that ideal comes from fast and accurate diagnostics.

Learn More

Genetic Testing

At CHRISTUS Health, we provide a compassionate approach to individuals and families seeking answers about genetic conditions.

Learn More