Meet the Staff
Stephen L. Golder M.D - Medical Director
Stephen L. Golder, M.D. is the Medical Director of the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He has over 25 years of clinical experience specializing in the use of radiation for the treatment of cancer.
A University of Florida graduate, Dr. Golder then earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 1977. He completed his Oncology internship and Radiation Oncology residency training in 1981 at Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics in Gainesville, FL. He then served as an Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland Oregon prior to entering private practice in Sarasota, Florida. He moved to Chattanooga in 2003 to join the staff of the SCCC, and he has been the Medical Director since 2005.
Dr. Golder is board certified by the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiology. He is a member of the American College of Radiology, the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, The American Brachytherapy Society, the American Medical Association, the Tennessee Medical Association, and the Chattanooga and Hamilton County Medical Society. He is the immediate past president of the local unit of the American Cancer Society and of the Chattanooga Regional Oncology Association.
Although he is trained and has over 25 years of experience in treating all sorts of cancer, Dr. Golder has a special interest and expertise in the treatment of prostate cancer. He has been performing prostate seed implants since 1990, and has an active affiliation with the Seattle Prostate Institute through Pro-Qura.
Born in Denver, CO, Dr. Golder and his wife, Barbara Harty Golder have a daughter and a son. In addition to the practice of medicine Dr. Golder enjoys photography, hiking, camping, skiing, travel and Civil War re-enacting.
Michael Howard – Director / Chief of Medical Physics
Michael Howard, MS is the Director for the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. His main responsibility in this role is the continued development of the cancer program. The cancer program consists of many aspects including technology development, clinical trials, outreach programs and patient services. In addition, he is the Chief of Medical Physics and is responsible for all aspects of medical physics support in radiation therapy.
- BS Nuclear Engineering, University of Tennessee, 1992
- MS Nuclear Engineering, University of Tennessee, 1995
- Board Certified by the American Board of Medical Physics
- Member of AAPM (American Association of Medical Physicists)
- Member of ACMP(American College of Medical Physics)
- Member of Planning Committee ACMP
- Member of Therapy Standards Committee ACMP
He is an avid Tennessee Volunteer fan and enjoys hiking and white water rafting in his spare time.
Melissa Pendergrass – Oncology Nurse Navigator
Melissa joined the staff of The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge as Oncology Nurse Navigator in 2010. An Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN), Melissa guides cancer patients through the challenges faced during the treatment process. The navigator’s role is designed to fully facilitate expedient access to care by providing guidance, information and support for patients facing a cancer diagnosis.
Melissa’s duties include:
- coordinating communication between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers
- streamlining patients’ appointments and paperwork
- addressing concerns and allaying fears patients may have about treatments and other processes
Melissa earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has spent her entire nursing career in the area of oncology. She joined the Parkridge staff in September of 2003 and became the hospital’s Oncology Nurse Navigator in January of 2010. Melissa is a member of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Chattanooga Regional Oncology Association. When she is not helping patients, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She also enjoys being outdoors, hiking and camping.
