Our physicians believe the practice of medicine must take the whole person into account. They combine their knowledge of conventional medicine with a research-based approach to complementary therapies in order to deliver the highest quality of medical care.

R. Deva Nathan, M.D.  has been working with Dr. Block for over ten years. Dr. Nathan is board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology. He also serves on the faculty of Midwestern University's College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania & Veterans Administration Hospital in Philadelphia and also received a fellowship in Clinical Pathology at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Illinois Medical Center & Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Illinois Cancer Council, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Chicago Medical Society, Illinois Medical Society, American Medical Association, and the American Federation for Clinical Research.

In concert with Dr. Block, Dr. Nathan sees conventional medicine, such as chemotherapy and radiation, as powerful tools in the treatment of cancer. Yet, he also believes that the best cancer care seeks to minimize potential side effects of conventional protocols, while bolstering immune capacity through the use of complementary therapies. Working directly with our physicians, nurses and complementary care professionals, Dr. Nathan pursues a caring and attentive approach to patients while focusing on how medicine and adjuvant therapies can work together to provide effective and innovative strategies.

Michael De La Torre, M.D. comes to Block Center after having served as a surgical clinician in Maryland, a multi-specialty internist for Victory Memorial Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois, and as a volunteer physician helping underserved communities in the Chicago area. Dr. De La Torre is board certified in Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Physicians, American Medical Association and the Chicago Medical Society.

"When I sit down and talk with the patients at Block Center, I am continually reminded of the special responsibility I have - to understand their individual needs and pursue a course of treatment that respects and values who they are."

Jennifer Ellis, PA-C., joined Block Center as a Physician Assistant in the summer of 2000. She graduated from DePauw University with a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts. She is also a graduate of Midwestern University's Physician Assistant program. She is a fully licensed Physician Assistant in the state of Illinois and an adjunct staff member of St. Francis Hospital. Jennifer is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants, and Phi Beta Kappa.