Meet the Team - Physicians
Medical Oncology / Hematology Physicians
A. Eli Gabayan, M.D. (Afshin Eli Gabayan, MD)
Hematology/Oncology
Medical Director of Hematology/Oncology & Lab
Clinical Instructor - UCLA School of Medicine
Dedicated to providing the best available therapies to his patients, Dr. A. Eli Gabayan (Afshin Eli Gabayan) has remained avidly involved in multiple cancer research studies and clinical trials throughout a career that began at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC) School of Medicine. Dr. Gabayan completed his internship and residency at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he also served as Chief Resident. He received his Oncology and Hematology training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he remained as an attending physician in private practice with expertise in the areas of gastrointestinal, lung, breast cancers and multiple myeloma. Dr. Gabayan is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with a subspecialty in Medical Oncology.
Dr. Eli Gabayan tirelessly strives for the best and most current treatments medical science can offer to his patients and their families. This passion for knowledge and education led to Dr. Gabayan’s post as a clinical instructor at the esteemed David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Firmly committed to the community, Dr. Gabayan maintains strong local ties through his frequent lectures on a wide variety of oncology and hematology topics.
At the heart of Dr. Gabayan’s practice is a passionate advocacy for the advancement of medical research for all cancer patients coupled with a vigilant dedication to making the latest therapy and treatment options available to his own patients. He believes that knowledge is power and communication is essential to good patient care. As the Chief of Medical Oncology at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, Dr. A. Eli Gabayan has made it a personal goal to deliver compassionate, yet state of the art care in a healing environment.
Linnea I. Chap, M.D.
Hematology/Oncology (Women's Oncology)
Clinical Associate Professor - UCLA School of Medicine
Linnea Chap, MD is a highly respected specialist in breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois and graduated Summa Cum Laude with High Honors. She subsequently received her medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Chap completed residency in internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and fellowships in both hematology and oncology at the UCLA Medical Center. After her fellowship, she joined the UCLA faculty where she was promoted to Associate Professor of Medicine and was the co-director of the UCLA/Revlon Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic. Dr. Chap has numerous publications to her credit in highly regarded peer review journals. She has been a leader in the treatment and research of breast and gynecological malignancies and has led several breast and ovarian cancer treatment protocols, including the pioneering use of novel biologic agents such as Herceptin and Avastin.
Dr. Chap has received several prestigious awards throughout her career. In 2001, she was named one of "America's Top Breast Cancer Doctors" by Redbook, a national women's magazine. Annually, she is listed as one of "America's Top Doctors for Cancer." Recognized for her teaching and speaking skills, Dr. Chap is frequently called upon to relate the most recent advances in breast cancer treatment. In addition to her active involvement with clinical trials and research, she is well-versed in the areas of risk reduction and genetic testing.
U.S. News Media Group recently announced "U.S. News Top Doctors." A highly respected specialist in breast cancer and gynecologic malignancies, Dr. Linnea Chap is listed in this prestigious directory and considered among the top 1% of doctors in the country. Dr. Chap was also listed in Los Angeles Magazine in January 2012, under the listing for Top Doctors in Los Angeles.
Nader Javadi, M.D.
Hematology/Oncology
Beverly Hills Cancer Center is pleased to announce that Dr. Nader Javadi has joined the team in our fight against cancer. Dr. Javadi graduated among the top 10 medical students in his class. He subsequently completed his residency program in Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Health system. His passion for treating cancer led him to a fellowship program at St. Louis University Hospital and Cancer Center. Dr. Javadi is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Oncology and Hematology. He is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Javadi has been involved in many basic science and clinical research projects and has published articles in prestigious medical journals. Following his fellowship training, he worked for two years as a clinical assistant professor at UC Irvine Medical Center. He subsequently worked in private practice where for the last 9 years he has developed an expertise and niche in the treatment of prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men. His passion for teaching has led him to numerous lectures and speaking engagements regarding cancer therapy and new therapeutics. Further, through his research and clinical experience, Dr. Javadi strives to incorporate cutting edge, innovative therapies in the care of all of his patients to improve care and treatment results. Through his work, Dr. Javadi has been among the pioneers in the treatment of prostate cancer, particularly for combined modality therapies using targeted and anti-angiogenic treatments combined with systemic chemotherapy.
Because of his clinical experience and expertise in the treatment of prostate cancer, Dr. Javadi has developed a national and international practice. “I am excited to be here at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center”, says Dr. Javadi, “this is a unique place where my patients have access to the latest treatments and state-of-the art technology, this really allows me to take my patient’s treatments to the next level.”
Radiation Oncology Physicians
Ari Gabayan, M.D. (Arash "Ari" Gabayan, MD)
Radiation Oncology
Medical Director of Radiation Oncology and Imaging
Clinical Instructor - UCLA School of Medicine
An advocate for compassionate care who passionately pursues cutting edge research, Dr. Ari Gabayan (Arash "Ari" Gabayan) comes to his patients with extensive medical knowledge. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Neuroscience major. After receiving several prestigious awards and academic scholarships as an undergraduate, including the University of California Regents Scholarship, Dr. Gabayan graduated Summa Cum Laude and College Honors, with a B.S. in Neuroscience. Dr. Gabayan went onto pursue his medical degree from UCLA’s renowed David Geffen School of Medicine. He continued his medical training with a medical internship at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and a residency at University of Arizona’s Department of Radiation Oncology, where he held the esteemed position of Chief Resident.
Recognition of Dr. Ari Gabayan’s pursuit and achievement of excellence lead to his selection as Lead Investigator for a national multi-institutional study of the GliaSite Radiotherapy System, a device used in the treatment of malignant brain tumors. Dr. Gabayan’s research studies earned him the prominent Roentgen Research Award.
As the Chief of Radiation Oncology and Imaging at the Beverly Hills Cancer Center, Dr. Ari Gabayan strives to provide his patients with the latest treatment technologies in a soothing and relaxing environment. Dr. Gabayan dedicates himself to the highest standards in all aspects of his career, from the care and treatment of patients to the pursuit of cutting-edge research.
Patricia Gordon, MD
Radiation Oncology
Dr. Gordon is a 1978 graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She went on to receive her degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles in 1982. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Group in 1984 following which she returned to UCLA for her training in Radiation Oncology which she completed in 1987, serving one year as Chief Resident. In 1987 Dr. Gordon achieved Board Certification in Radiation Oncology from the American Board of Radiology. She remained on the UCLA clinical faculty through 2003.
Dr. Gordon enjoys the general practice of Radiation Oncology with a particular passion for breast and prostate cancer management. Over the past 20 years she has devoted a great deal of her life to helping patients with HIVrelated malignancies. She prides herself on having twice completed the 560-mile bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, which is part of the California AIDS Ride.
Clifford Merlo, MD
Radiation Oncology
Dr. Clifford Merlo obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1977 with honors, and then attended medical school at Washington University School of Medicine obtaining his MD in 1982. After an internship in internal medicine he completed his residency training in radiation oncology at Stanford University, serving as Chief Resident in 1986 and subsequently became ABR board-certified. Dr. Merlo became a partner in the private practice of radiation oncology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he worked until 1990. He then became a founding partner of Beverly Hills Radiation Oncology, involved in the private practice of radiation oncology until 2011, when he joined Beverly Hills Cancer Center.
Dr. Merlo is passionate about radiation oncology, and he takes particular interest in head & neck radiation oncology, Hodgkin's disease, the lymphomas, gastrointestinal and lung cancer. Having practiced in the Beverly Hills area for over twenty-five years, and having treated thousands of cancer cases, Dr. Merlo brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to newly-diagnosed cancer patients.
Surgeons
Lindi Vanderwalde, M.D.
Breast Surgery/General Surgery
Diplomate, American Board of Surgery
Lindi Vanderwalde, MD is board certified in general surgery with fellowship training in breast surgery. Dr. Vanderwalde received her BA in Biology at Columbia College in New York City. She earned her medical degree at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Returning to Los Angeles, Dr. Vanderwalde completed her residency in General Surgery at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center, a high-volume tertiary referral center. Dr. Vanderwalde is board certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons.
Recognizing the need for dedicated breast specialists, Dr. Vanderwalde pursued a fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where she specialized in the surgical treatment of diseases of the breast. Dr. Vanderwalde strives to deliver compassionate and comprehensive care to patients with new breast concerns. With her meticulous surgical skill, she obtains cosmetic excellence by utilizing oncoplastic techniques, and offering patients immediate reconstruction with skin sparing and nipple sparing mastectomy when oncologically feasible. Dr. Vanderwalde is excited to be a part of the Beverly Hills Health Center, where patients with breast cancer receive integrated multidisciplinary care from the surgical, radiation, and medical oncology teams.
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