Morris Hospital recognizes radiation oncologist for her compassion

Morris Hospital rarely selects doctors and new employees as its Fire Starter of the Month, according to the hospital.

But Morris Hospital has bestowed that honor on Dr. Suzan Cheng, Morris Hospital’s new radiation oncologist, for the month of March.

Cheng, who has 31-plus years treating cancer patients with radiation therapy, came to Morris Hospital five months ago, according to a news release from the hospital.

“From the first time I met Dr. Cheng, her presence, energy, and actions just screamed compassion,” Ashley Mommosser, the Morris Hospital radiation therapist who nominated Cheng, said in the news release. “Just hearing her talk about her previous patients and the joy that they brought her really made her stand out as not only a physician who truly cares about her patients but as a person who cares about humanity.”

According to the release, Cheng “goes out of her way to help patients” and she treats them with great compassion.

“Radiation therapy is a very high tech medical specialty,” Cheng said in the release. “We are helping patients at a vulnerable time when they are fighting a life-threatening condition. It’s important that we make patients feel welcome, known, and heard any time they need attention.”

Around staff, Cheng has “a positive attitude, true team spirit, willingness to educate others, and ability to treat each patient and staff member as her equal,” the release said.

Cheng also educate staff about the latest treatments and equipment and offers general health information and ideas for improving department processes. She provides food treats and leads exercises and activities for staff over lunch break, the release said.

“Her enthusiasm for everything Morris and Morris Hospital leaves you in awe,” Mommosser said in the release. “The community and the people in the area are going to be better off because of her knowledge and experience. She has been an amazing asset to the team and inspires each and every one of us to do the best we can for our patients.”

Mostly Cheng is happy to bring quality care to the community and use treatments to relieve patient symptoms: “physical, emotional or psychological,” the release said.

“We have to make patients feel like someone cares and give them courage to move on with their lives,” Cheng said in the release. “We want them to experience joy and happiness for many years.”

For more information, visit morrishospital.org.