Alfred Tinger, MD, has assumed the role of chief and medical director of the Bassett Cancer Institute effective April 1. Tinger, who has more than 20 years of experience as a radiation oncologist, is not new to Bassett or Cooperstown. He spent his transitional year as a resident at Bassett after graduating medical school in 1992. He also has a home in Cooperstown and while practicing as a radiation oncologist in the greater New York area, he provided support to Bassett through per diem work.
"I am honored and proud to be selected as the Cancer Institute's medical director," says Tinger. "I love Bassett and have always admired its mission. Bassett has always been about doing the best job possible for patients."
Tinger's experience in radiation oncology spans 24 years; he says he was drawn to the field after losing a close friend to Ewing sarcoma, an extremely rare cancer.
"My friend was 19 years old; I was in college and didn't like how doctors' treated him. You can always do something to help, even if a person is dying," Tinger explains.
That philosophy of care, to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, remains a steadfast guiding principle and one that Tinger says is evident in the work of the Bassett cancer team.
"My early assessment and impressions are that we have an amazing community asset in the Bassett Cancer Institute and our cancer program is already superb on many levels."
Goals for Bassett cancer program
Tinger says his goals for Bassett's cancer services are to assure good access, excellent outcomes and the program's sustainability. He says there have been important and rapid advancements in the field of oncology that the cancer team will continue to track and adopt as appropriate. These advancements include the explosion of big data, informatics, genetics, precision medicine, and immunotherapy.
"It is an exciting time to be in the field of cancer care; the strides made over the last couple of decades are incredible and there is always something new to learn," Tinger says. "It is also one of the most rewarding professions to be engaged in and humbling as I think about the thousands of patients and their families we have the opportunity to help and support in their cancer journey."
In addition to his administrative work, Tinger plans to spend two days a week seeing patients in Cooperstown and Oneonta. Prior to coming to Bassett, he previously served as chief of radiation oncology at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco and St. Joseph's Medical Center in Yonkers.
"I owe Bassett for any success I have achieved in medicine so far because this organization and its dedicated teachers, many of whom are still teaching, serving and leading Bassett, helped form my professional outlook and habits early in my career. Fortunately, for me, circumstances have now led me back home."
