Dr. Jack Schocker’s Story

High level of personalized cancer care for every patient.

Dr. Jack Schocker always had an interest in medicine, but didn’t picture himself specializing in radiation oncology until he began a summer fellowship in radiation physics. He then took an elective rotation in radiation oncology at Hahnemann University, which is now Drexel University School of Medicine, where he received his Medical degree, and “never turned back.”

When Dr. Schocker completed his medical training, he wanted to practice at a community hospital and eventually moved to Altoona where he treated patients for 41 years. Although he was not looking for a new position, physicians and staff from Penn Highlands Healthcare reached out to him to talk about opportunities at Penn Highlands State College which was being planned with an opening in summer 2024.

“While Penn Highlands State College is well equipped to provide radiation oncology services to patients, even more so, I liked the Penn Highlands Healthcare philosophy,” said Dr. Schocker.

Dr. Schocker has built what he refers to as a small but elite group to deliver radiation oncology care to patients.

“Our team is comprised of permanent staff members who provide face-to-face personalized care to patients,” he explained.

Dr. Schocker maintains that this is a great time to be practicing radiation oncology because of the many advancements. He cites that the ability to deliver precise radiation to tumors; the introduction of state-of-the-art equipment; and combined modality treatments – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – often with fewer complications and better results.

“Every patient should have available to them the same high level of care no matter where they go for care – a large academic center or a rural cancer center. Although it can be more challenging in smaller areas, sometimes smaller centers can deliver the best care because we have the top-quality staff, ancillary services and administrative support. At Penn Highlands we can do the same or better than larger centers,” added Dr. Schocker.