Radiation Oncology

Our Staff

The radiation oncology physicians at Southern Ocean County Hospital are all Board Certified and dedicated to providing the highest quality care in a compassionate setting. Please select a doctor:

• Dr. Lawrence Coia
• Dr. Joseph Lattanzi

Dr. Lawrence Coia, formerly of the renowned Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, joined the Southern Ocean County Hospital as head of Radiation Oncology in 1999. Under his skillful direction and tenacious leadership, the Radiation Oncology Department of the Southern Ocean County Hospital has distinguished itself as the foremost provider of cutting edge cancer care in Ocean County. A board certified radiation oncologist, Dr. Coia is a highly-respected practitioner, published author and international lecturer. He has received both local and national recognition by his peers as a leader in the fight against cancer, and national media attention for his work in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Coia, an Associate of East Coast Radiation Oncology Associates, PA. (ECRO), is especially recognized for his pioneering work in esophageal cancer management. He has been named twice to Philadelphia Magazine's list of "Top Docs" and in American Health magazine's list of "Best Doctors in America," an honor bestowed on only 23 radiation oncologists out of the 3,000 nationwide. In 1996, and again in 1998, Dr. Coia was named to the prestigious Woodward and White's "The Best Doctors in America," regarded as the preeminent listing of its kind in the country. "Best Doctors" has been featured on major network television programs such as "60 Minutes," "The Today Show," and CNN's "Headline News," as well as in the national print media. The listing is based on a survey of more than 35,000 doctors throughout the United States, who rate the clinical ability of their peers in their areas of specialization. In March of 1999, Dr. Coia was listed in Good Housekeeping Magazine as one of "38 Top Cancer Doctors for Women," (listed right below "Hair 911 - Quick Fixes for Every Disaster).

Dr. Coia's superior reputation for excellence has enhanced the reputation of Southern Ocean County Hospital's cancer program. Dr. Coia holds a bachelor's degree in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a master's degree in Physics from Bryn Mawr College, and his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in the Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he was named Chief Resident in 1981. He joined the Department of Radiation Oncology at Philadelphia's prestigious Fox Chase Cancer Center in 1982.

Dr. Coia served on the faculty of Philadelphia's University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he taught Radiation Oncology for a number years. He has also served as a Visiting Professor in China, Japan, Canada, and throughout the United States. Dr. Coia maintains his commitment to education and research. Nominated by New Jersey's Governor Whitman in 1998, Dr. Coia currently serves on the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research, an organization that promotes significant, original cancer research in New Jersey.

During his tenure at Fox Chase, Dr. Coia was director of the Residency Training Program, clinical director of the department of Radiation Oncology, and served as vice chairman of the department of Radiation Oncology. In 1992, he was named Senior Member of the medical staff at Fox Chase.

Dr. Coia has been extensively published, having written hundreds of articles and several books on a variety of issues concerning cancer. Highly sought after as a lecturer by some of the most prestigious cancer centers and medical organizations in the world, Dr. Coia has been an invited speaker throughout the United States and Europe, as well as Australia, China, and Japan.

Dr. Coia was recently elected as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the Radiation Research Society, the American Radium Society and the American College of Radiology. He is also a member of the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey, the European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and is a founding member of the International Society for the Study of Bone Metastases.

A compassionate and dedicated physician, Dr. Coia truly cares about his patients. He has worked diligently to ensure that patients receive advanced treatment options and the highest possible level of care right here in our community through the Sothern Ocean County Hospital.

Dr. Joseph Lattanzi, formerly of the prestigious Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, joined Southern Ocean County Hospital's medical staff in the year 2000. A board-certified Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Lattanzi brings the highest level of expertise in cancer treatment to every patient in his care. A highly-skilled, caring radiation oncologist, Dr. Lattanzi brings not only broad-based experience in radiation oncology, but a particular expertise in the treatment of prostate cancer. His pioneering efforts utilizing high-dose rate implants, along with his innovative techniques in localizing the prostate cancer during external beam radiation with ultrasound, have generated nationwide attention.

Dr. Lattanzi, a highly-respected practitioner, has published numerous articles and a book chapter, on a variety of issues concerning cancer. He is an accomplished speaker, often pursued by some of the country's premier cancer centers and medical organizations, including the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, to present his clinical findings.

A graduate of Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA, Dr. Lattanzi received his medical degree in 1994 from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. In 1995, the Medical College awarded Dr. Lattanzi the Maurice Greenberg Radiation Oncology Research Award. He completed his postgraduate training with an internship in Transitional Medicine at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, PA, where he also received the Resident Teaching Award in 1996.

Dr. Lattanzi completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, where he was named Chief Resident of Radiation Oncology in 1997. He remained at the Fox Chase Cancer Center to complete his fellowship training where his extensive clinical activities involved the study of various prostate cancer treatments. During this same period, Dr. Lattanzi was involved in fellowship research activities including the evaluation of MRI simulation techniques and the development of the innovative ultrasound localization system, BAT (B mode, Acquisition and Treatment) in use by Dr. Lattanzi at Southern Ocean County Hospital.

Dr. Lattanzi is a member of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, the American Medical Association, and the Association Residents in Radiation Oncology. As a member of the Cancer Program at Southern Ocean County Hospital, Dr. Lattanzi carefully evaluates and treat patients with malignancies or other radiation-treatable diseases.