Surgical Oncology
Expert, Multidisciplinary Surgical Management of Cancer
Surgical Oncology at highlands oncology
Surgical oncology is the branch of medicine focused on the surgical management of cancer. A surgical oncologist specializes in diagnosing, staging, and treating cancer through surgery. Their primary goal is to remove tumors or cancerous tissue while preserving as much normal function as possible.
In addition to performing operations, surgical oncologists often work as part of a multidisciplinary cancer care team with medical and radiation oncologists. They may also perform biopsies to confirm a diagnosis, help determine how advanced the cancer is, and assist in planning overall treatment strategies.
In essence, surgical oncology combines expert surgical skill with cancer-specific knowledge to remove disease, reduce symptoms, and improve long-term outcomes for patients.
At Highlands, our surgical oncology team is comprised of breast, coloretecal, gynecologic, and urology specialists.
Michael J. Cross, M.D.
Michael J. Cross M.D., F.A.C.S. is a surgical oncologist focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Cross is currently one of the leading researchers pioneering the use of the BioZorb® device in the treatment of early-stage breast cancer. He also serves on the board of directors for the Society of Oncoplastic Surgery.
Specialties:
- Breast cancer
- Oncoplastic reconstruction lumpectomy
- Skin and nipple sparing mastectomy with reconstruction
- Sentinel node technique
Dawn Jones, M.D.
Dr. Dawn Jones recently joined Highlands Oncology as a Breast Surgical Oncologist. She brings more than 25 years of experience in general surgery, breast care, and breast oncology, with a long-standing commitment to improving outcomes for women through compassionate, evidence-based care.
Dr. Jones earned her Doctor of Medicine through the University of Missouri–Kansas City’s combined BA/MD program and completed her General Surgery Residency at Western Reserve Care System in Youngstown, Ohio. She went on to complete a Breast Surgical Oncology Fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, where she specialized in advanced breast cancer surgery and multidisciplinary care coordination.
Throughout her career, Dr. Jones has held numerous leadership positions in both clinical practice and cancer program development. She served as Co-Director of the Olathe Breast Center, where she helped the center achieve NAPBC Breast Center Accreditation and contributed to receiving the Women’s Choice Award for Best Breast Centers. At Lawrence Memorial Hospital, she served as Director of the LMH Breast Center, where she established the Breast Tumor Conference and integrated nurse navigation into the breast cancer program.
Dr. Jones is Board Certified in General Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons, holding certification in Breast Ultrasound. Her areas of expertise include breast cancer surgery, benign breast disease, high-risk breast evaluation, and oncoplastic techniques.
Dedicated to education and community engagement, Dr. Jones has served as a mentor for students interested in medicine and surgery, participated in numerous community health initiatives, and volunteered with organizations including the American Cancer Society and Heartland Community Church.
Dr. Jones is committed to providing personalized, patient-centered surgical care and guiding patients through every step of their breast cancer journey with skill, compassion, and understanding.
Mark “Willy” Pickhardt, M.D.
Dr. Pickhardt is a Urologist focused on the treatment of both benign and malignant disorders of the genitourinary tract. He specializes and focuses on minimally invasive techniques utilizing the da Vinci robotic surgical system. He is a native Arkansan, and he underwent his training at Indiana-Purdue University.
Specialties:
- Renal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Adrenal tumors
- Kidney stones
- Elevated PSA
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Prolapse
- Incontinence
Hollis T. Rogers, III, M.D.
Dr. Rogers is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon. He graduated from Louisiana State University – School of Medicine and received his surgical training and completed his colorectal fellowship at LSU Health Sciences Center. Dr. Rogers has been in practice for over 15 years, with 14 of those being in NW Arkansas.
Dr. Rogers places an emphasis on minimally invasive surgery, specifically robotic surgical procedures. He is a Master Surgeon in Robotic Surgery, has performed over 1,000 robotic colectomies, and was the first to use the da Vinci® XI Robot for Colon Procedures in NWA. He offers screening and diagnostic colonoscopies. Dr. Rogers specializes in diseases of the colon, rectum, anus, and small bowel, both cancerous and non-cancerous.
Specialties:
- Diverticulitis
- Colon cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Anal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissure
- Anal fistula
- Fecal incontinence
- Constipation/defecation disorders
Min C. Yoo, MD, FACS
Highlands Oncology is excited to announce the arrival of a new breast surgeon to the practice. Dr. Min Yoo joins a growing surgical oncology team at Highlands. Her focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the breast. Dr. Yoo received her undergraduate degree in engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and went on to study medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Dr. Yoo completed a general surgery residency at UTSW in 2010 and then went on to complete an abdominal transplant surgical fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. Dr. Yoo practiced as a transplant surgeon for several years, actively caring for patients with liver and kidney failure.
In 2020, Dr. Yoo decided to pursue a practice in breast surgical oncology which has allowed her to have a patient-focused multidisciplinary practice. She completed a Breast Surgery Fellowship at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she trained in hematoma-directed ultrasound-guided (HUG) intraoperative localization as an alternative to needle-localization, oncoplastic surgical techniques, and axillary reverse mapping (ARM) to prevent lymphedema. Dr. Yoo joined the Highlands Surgical Team in 2022.
Dr. Yoo is a board-certified general surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Society of Surgical Oncology.
Wound, Ostomy, and Continence
Highlands’ Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse works closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop individualized, holistic care plans that support both physical healing and emotional well-being. They teach practical skills for stoma care and ostomy management and offer guidance and encouragement to help patients adapt to life after surgery.
Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nurses provide specialized care for patients with complex wounds, ostomies, and continence issues. They assess and treat wounds, educate patients on ostomy management and pouching systems, and create care plans for incontinence. These nurses act as experts and educators for patients, families, and other healthcare professionals to help improve quality of life and promote healing.
Continence care
Develop personalized care plans to help patients with urinary and fecal incontinence manage their conditions and improve comfort and dignity.
Education and support
Educate patients, caregivers, and other healthcare staff on wound care, infection prevention, and the proper use of ostomy supplies. They also offer emotional support and work with patients to build confidence.
Collaboration and consultation
Work with a wider healthcare team to determine the best course of treatment, which may include antibiotics or surgery. They serve as consultants to staff nurses and other professionals.
Health assessment
Routinely evaluate patients’ vital signs and symptoms to monitor progress and address potential issues that could lead to hospitalization.
Tammy Palermo, RN, BSN, WOCN, AGNP-CNP Wound, Ostomy, Continence
Tammy Palermo recently joined Highlands Oncology as a Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurse Practitioner, bringing more than 20 years of nursing and healthcare experience to the team. She provides compassionate, patient-centered care for individuals with complex wound, ostomy, and continence needs, helping to promote healing, comfort, and confidence throughout each patient’s recovery journey.
A board-certified Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Ms. Palermo provides specialized care focused on improving healing, comfort, and quality of life. She collaborates closely with physicians, nurses, and the entire care team to develop individualized treatment plans and ensure seamless communication across all aspects of a patient’s care.
Throughout her career, Ms. Palermo has demonstrated exceptional leadership, mentoring nursing students and serving in supervisory and management roles. She is dedicated to clinical excellence and patient education, helping patients understand their treatment, manage their care at home, and feel empowered throughout their healing journey.
Her professional honors include recognition on the Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and membership in both Alpha Sigma Lambda, the National Honor Society for Adult Students, and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing.
Highlands is pleased to have such a talented and compassionate APP on staff to care for our patients.