“I find it very satisfying to volunteer for thesecondopinion. I am happy to help whenever I can be of assistance. It is a chance for me to give back, in a small way for all of the good fortune that I have had.”
–James Jett, M.D.
We are currently seeking volunteer physicians
- Medical Oncologists
- Pathologists
- Radiologists
- General Surgeons
- Volunteer physicians must have an active or volunteer California medical license and be board-certified in their specialty. We provide medical-malpractice insurance for all our volunteers.
How Panels Sessions Work
- Panel sessions are currently held virtually (Zoom) on Wednesdays or Fridays from 10:30 to 2:30pm. We schedule two to three panels monthly with each panel consisting of three patients. Before making a commitment to volunteering you can arrange to observe a panel.
- Case materials are prepared by TSO Staff and the Panel Chair for volunteer physicians and sent securely and well in advance of each panel. On panel day, patient cases (medical records, radiology and pathology) are reviewed and discussed by the panel physicians prior to meeting with each of the patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I volunteer? You can volunteer as often as you like and at the convenience of your calendar. While some physicians are able to participate as often as once a month, others volunteer a few times a year or only when a particular expertise is needed.
Who else volunteers? We have volunteer physicians all over California, some retired and some still in practice. See below for a current list of physician volunteers.
How is this different from a tumor board? Tumor boards are convened to answer questions from physicians in cancer care and rarely engage patients. Our process includes the patient and family members. Patients or family members provide questions prior to meeting for discussion.
To Volunteer
Since 1969 thesecondopinion has been providing FREE comprehensive second opinions to adults in California diagnosed with cancer. We could not do this work without cancer specialists generously volunteering their time.
We welcome you to connect with our Medical Director or Director of Programs before volunteering or filling out the forms. You can reach Dr. Howard Kleckner at hbkleckner@thesecondopinion.org and Lori Bode at lori@thesecondopinion.org.
To volunteer please complete these forms and submit them by email to mail@thesecondopinion.org or FAX to 415-346-8652 or mail to:
thesecondopinion
1200 Gough St., #500
San Francisco, CA 94109