As Medical Director of Radiation Oncology and our CyberKnife specialist, Dr, Prasad has a long history with Epic Care, for which he is deeply proud. He began attending medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and remained there to earn his PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology in 2005. He later moved on to intern at the University of Alabama Hospital before moving to the Bay Area to complete his Radiation Oncology residency at the University of California, San Francisco.

Since joining Epic Care in 2011, Dr. Prasad has contributed to our clinical excellence in many ways, including the adoption of CyberKnife in the East Bay. We talked with him to learn more about that and his passion for radiation oncology. Below are a few highlights:

Do you have a nickname?

Yes, and it’s one for which I’m most proud of “Papi.” Like many children, mine grew up with the educational program ‘Dora the Explorer.’ My daughter and son heard Dora refer to her father as “Papi” so many times that they began doing the same for me and it has long since stuck!

Are you a native of the Bay Area?

No, interestingly the first time I came to the Bay Area was in 2005 when I had a combined clinical and research-based fellowship at UCSF. I grew up and spent all of my childhood in Northern New Jersey. However, after living in the Bay Area for the last 13 years, my family has put down roots and this is now our new home.

What’s your favorite treat?

I really enjoy very dark chocolate (90%+). My wife travels to Switzerland often for business and always stocks up.

Describe what you do as Medical Director of Radiation Oncology

I manage clinical operations across all five of Epic Care’s Radiation Oncology sites including locations in Antioch, Dublin, Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek. In addition to working with seven other talented and experienced Radiation Oncologists, I have the privilege to work with many radiation therapists, dosimetrists, physicists, medical assistants, and managers.

Why the CyberKnife system?

We had the opportunity to research a wide-variety of ablative radiation systems in addition to CyberKnife including Gamma Knife, Edge, and View Ray. CyberKnife was capable of treating the entire body, had a proven 20+ year track record, and best complemented Epic Care’s four existing linear accelerators.

How do you determine the most ethical and accurate treatment plan for each patient?

As a physician at Epic Care, I fortunately have a very large selection of radiation technology. As such, patients are always recommended a clinical approach that is best for their condition at a location which is convenient for them. I am proud to say that Epic Care was an early adopter of hypofractionation (delivering radiation accurately over a shorter period of time). This approach is good for patients (convenient, less side effects) and society (less expensive). The CyberKnife really represents the ultimate in hypofractionation.

What are you most looking forward to about the future of Epic Care CyberKnife?

Staying on the cutting edge of cancer treatment, always providing a compassionate ear, and putting patients first are the three tenets of my practice. Our patients deserve the best and we pledge to always strive to that end.

What message do you have for your colleagues who may not work with you directly?

Thank you for your commitment to our patients. We are part of a noble profession and treating patients are both the most rewarding and challenging part of what we do.

Request A Consultation with Your Epic Care Cyberknife Oncologist!

The CyberKnife system is recognized as a safe and successful treatment various forms of cancer. With a large body of academic support, many of the most prestigious cancer centers all over the world have deemed the CyberKnife system as an effective method of radiosurgery delivery. If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with cancer, consider Epic Care Cyberknife. Located in the East Bay-area, our warm and knowledgeable staff will be able to assist you. Simply call us at (925) 391-2220 or request a consultation via our online form. Hope to hear from you, soon!