About Us
Our mission is to provide our patients and their families with the highest quality medical care available anywhere in the world by treating the whole person both during and after cancer treatment.
We believe maintaining our patient’s dignity is the cornerstone of rebuilding their health. The word ‘doctor’ comes from the Latin word for ‘teacher’ and we believe that is our first and most important role to teach our patients about their bodies, their disease and the various treatment options. We work with our patients to develop individualized treatment plans to fit their needs and desires. We respect those who choose to take the ‘less is more’ route for care, as well as those who choose to proceed with more aggressive treatment. When surgery is necessary, we strive to provide the least invasive procedure to shorten recovery times and minimize discomfort to our patients while still providing the most effective outcomes. When traditional treatments have failed, we believe in offering our patients the opportunity to participate in cutting edge clinical trials and collaborate with a robust network of physicians and institutions conducting clinical trials in addition to conducting our own innovative trials. We understand the problems that cancer can cause continue long after treatment is over and have programs to alleviate the long term social, mental, and physical problems caused by cancer and the treatment of cancer. Through diagnosis, treatment, and long after treatment is over we continue to work with our patients to maintain their dignity and maximize their health so they can live full, productive and happy lives.
To make surgery easier for our patients and their families and improve access to care we travel to most hospitals in the greater Bay Area, from as far south as the Salinas hospitals to as far north as Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley. We accept most insurances and are always accepting new patients. Dr. Lilja, Dr. Volpe and Dr. Velasco are Spanish speaking, Dr. Liu is fluent in Mandarin; and Christina Nguyen, PA-C is fluent in Vietnamese.
Meet the Staff
Our experienced team is here to help you navigate the sometimes complicated process that is between you and getting well.
I am a board certified gynecologic oncologist specializing in the treatment of cancerous and precancerous conditions of the female reproductive tract. I received my medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and went on to the University of Texas at Houston-MD Anderson Cancer Center for internship and residency. Following my residency, I did my fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at the University of Michigan.
When an operation for cancer or pre cancer is required, I try to incorporate minimally invasive techniques (vaginal, laparoscopic, or robotic) to minimize the recovery time and discomfort for patients and their families. I perform hundreds of these procedures every year. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, you may already know the multiple treatment options—surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hyperthermia—that are often needed. I am honored to help you navigate a sometimes confusing and frustrating road to health.
In addition, since finishing my training, I have been committed to the development of innovative and safe treatments for advanced and refractory cancer. I am Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Verthermia Inc, a medical device company investigating new treatments for metastatic cancer utilizing heat to stimulate the body’s own immune response. I am also co-principal investigator in a clinical trial using intra-abdominal heating for treating cancer within the abdominal cavity.
Undergraduate:
UCLA
Medical School:
University of Pittsburgh
Residency:
University of Texas at Houston/MD Anderson Cancer Center
Galloway Rotating Residency:
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Fellowship:
University of Michigan
Languages:
English, Spanish
Interests:
Robotic Surgery, HIPEC for recurrent malignancy
Dr. Katherine Volpe specializes in disorders of the female pelvic floor. She is a fellowship trained Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery specialist and a board certified gynecologist.
One in three women will have issues with urinary leakage, bowel control or pelvic organ prolapse during their lifetime. Despite how common these issues are, women are often hesitant to discuss them with their physician. Dr. Volpe understands the sensitive, personal nature of these conditions and is honored to guide her patients through their many options from holistic and complementary therapies to minimally invasive surgeries.
A native of Northern California, Dr. Volpe was drawn to the service mission of Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA and stayed in the Northwest to attend medical school at Oregon Health and Science University before making her way back to the sunshine. Her interests include minimally invasive surgery and she is active in health equity research.
. She serves as the co-chair of the American Urogynecologic Association Health Disparities Special Interest Group. In her free time she enjoys exploring new restaurants with her husband, hiking and gardening.
Undergraduate:
Gonzaga University
Medical School:
Oregon Health Science University
Residency:
University of New Mexico
Fellowship:
University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine
Languages:
English, Spanish
Interests:
Minimally invasive surgery, health equity research
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I began my higher education here in the Bay Area at Santa Clara University. There I obtained a degree in Biochemistry and Medical Science. While there, I was also the principal bassoonist of the Santa Clara Symphony for 5 years. I very much enjoyed my Jesuit education, especially the focus on using the privilege of a higher education to improve the lives of the people in our communities.
I then went on to obtain a medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. My experiences there led me to become passionate about women’s health and surgery. This led to my decision to pursue residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the LAC+USC Medical Center. I then completed subspecialty training in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Kaiser East Bay – University of California San Francisco. I aim to guide my patients through a holistic and integrative approach to the management of pelvic floor disorders. Our team offers cutting-edge, surgical and non-surgical options for the management of these disorders in order to restore and improve your quality of life.
I am a proud parent to my miniature Dachshund, Lola. I also enjoy classical music and running (sometimes simultaneously!).
Thank you for visiting my homepage. I look forward to being part of your care team and providing you with the most professional and compassionate care possible.
Dr. Cici Liu specializes in caring for women with pre-cancer or cancer, vulvar problems, and who need complex pelvic or robotic surgery. Dr. Liu is board certified in Gynecologic Oncology and Obstetrics and Gynecology. She graduated from the Northwestern University Honors Program in Medical Education and the Feinberg School of Medicine. She did her residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo and her fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where she was awarded a physician scientist T32 training grant. Prior to joining Bay Area Gynecologic Oncology, Dr. Liu served as Assistant Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Rochester where she worked with residents and fellows. She is looking forward to the excellent weather and outdoors activities that the Bay Area has to offer.
I am a board-certified Physician Assistant treating patients in Gynecology Oncology and Urogynecology. I completed my undergraduate studies at The University of Texas with a degree in Microbiology.
I have always been passionate about health care and was involved in the Pre-Physician Assistant Society and Global Medical Training, where I was able to travel to Nicaragua to provide free medical care for the local communities. Originally from Texas, I moved to Southern California to pursue my education in Physician Assistant studies at Chapman University. Women’s health has always been a special interest of mine as it allows me to connect and guide women through various gynecologic and urologic health conditions that they may experience over a lifetime. My primary goal in treating patients is to empower women through creating a supportive environment, utilizing evidence-based medicine, and collaborating with the physicians. I am very excited to be part of the team to provide excellent care at Bay Area Gynecology Oncology!
Outside of the clinic, I enjoy hiking in the Bay Area, watching college football (go Longhorns!), and cuddling up with my Pomeranian Husky.
Languages: English & Vietnamese