Dr. Raman Sood, a decorated oncology care provider, has officially moved his practice from 617 Central Ave., down the block and upstairs into Dunkirk’s longtime hospital. The doors of the new office are open and patients are being cared for at the new location within Brooks-TLC Hospital.

No stranger to the community, Sood has operated out of Western New York for nearly three decades. His current patients range across Chautauqua County and parts of Cattaraugus County, as the only substantial cancer care provider in northern Chautauqua County.

“Our hope is to provide care locally for our patients that need it. Most of our patients don’t have means to go to Buffalo every day for treatment,” Sood said. “A lot of their treatments can be extended — some come once a week, some five days a week. Our hope is that by making the shift here, we can extend these treatments going forward.”

Sood has lived stateside since 1997, after moving to the United States from India. Sood completed his Medical Undergraduate Training and his Doctor of Medicine Degree in Internal Medicine in India. He then completed his Internal Medicine Residency Training at SUNY Stonybrook Clinical Campus, Nassau County Medical Center in East Meadow.

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Dr. Raman Sood, an oncology care provider, third from right, is pictured with Practice Manager Jami Babcock, far right, and members of his oncology practice at its new office at Brooks-TLC hospital.

Sood completed his residency at the renowned Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo. He then came straight to Dunkirk upon completion and has operated his practice in the community ever since. Sood has received many prestigious honors throughout his career, including the Pfizer Medallion of Excellence in Internal Medicine award.

Upon the acquisition of Sood’s practice nearly a year ago, President and CEO of Brooks-TLC Hospital Ken Morris stated, “We are thrilled to be working with Dr. Sood directly. … And through collaboration with LEMS and Great Lakes Cancer Care, we are proud to keep his extensive medical and oncology experience in our community to care for patients, right here at home.”

Sood’s practice is part of Lake Erie Medical Services (LEMS) and operates as a tenant of Brooks-TLC Hospital, supporting the hospital’s new infusion center. Being at Brooks provides a benefit to patients in that many of the aspects of their care can now all be done in the same building.

“I think it’s easier for patients to have the hospital services right on site – to do CAT scans, bloodwork … that’s easier for them,” Sood said. He noted the new office space is another benefit, with a slight increase in size from his previous space. Sood also said the process of relocating has gone much smoother than he had anticipated.

As part of the relocation, Sood’s Practice Manager, Jami Babcock, returns to the halls where she began her career. Babcock started working in healthcare at Brooks more than three decades ago.

“It is very weird to be walking these halls again,” she said. “When I first worked here, I was a unit clerk in ICU and I was going to college. To come back here in a management capacity is really different. … I love the hospital. I have not dealt with anybody that’s been anything other than welcoming and wonderful.”

The move to Brooks and partnering with Kaleida Health has benefited Sood’s practice in that he now has even more coverage from professionals to him.

“It gives me more stability in terms of coverage, in case I need to take some time off there is backup coverage. There is more support staff and resources with the Kaleida system at Brooks,” Sood said.

“We are working with the common goal of taking great care of patients with infusion and chemotherapy,” Babcock said. “Sood’s main goal is always to support the hospital and support the community.”

Sood’s staff all transferred over with him to the new location. “It’s pretty much the same operation. Even the pictures on the wall are the same,” Sood said. “It’s just a more modern facility. I’m happy to be here.”

Sood commutes from his home in Orchard Park to work in Dunkirk four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. When possible, Sood’s patients will be treated close to home at Brooks on a regular basis.

“We can provide most of the care – cutting edge, modern oncology care can be given locally,” Sood said. “… Patients will get the best and the latest care that’s available. When we need to coordinate with other facilities, we will make sure that they get the appropriate referrals. The things we cannot do here, I will send them out, but 80-90% of work can be done locally.”

However, because of his experience in Buffalo and relationships that were maintained at Roswell Park, Sood feels comfortable collaborating with Roswell Park’s experts when necessary.

“Typically, if it’s a complicated case, Roswell would be where I would send them,” Sood said. “I have a good relationship with everybody over there, so if I need to send somebody there, I’ll make a phone call and I’ll get them in.”

The potential of a new campus on the horizon for Brooks-TLC will not impact Sood’s standing with the hospital. Any potential move would be made with Sood remaining a part of the relocation.

“We will go along with everything. We are part of the hospital network now. If they decide to make a move, we will go,” Sood said.

With a nationwide shortage in oncologists, small towns face a challenge in attracting a provider to their area, especially one with the level of qualifications Sood possesses. “It’s very hard to recruit for oncology. There is a big shortage nationwide,” Sood said. “It’s very hard to get people to come to small towns. I like it here, but a lot of graduates do not want to come to small cities.”

Sood said the community is “very nice, very appreciative of the care we provide.” He noted that the community is also “very trusting.”

“They are good people we take care of,” Sood said. “I have no complaints.”

As an expert in the cancer treatment field, Sood joked, “I hope they do not need to come see me, but if they need to, we are here.”