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Celebrating HOAF’s 35th Anniversary Featuring the HOAF Owners and a Long Term Staff Member

Join Dr. Vaughn as he and HOAF owners, Dr. Maurer and Dr. Menachery, celebrate 35 years of HOAF. The three share the history of HOAF’s beginnings in1988 with Dr. Muir, and how it has grown into the practice it is today. Long-term staff members join in the conversation to discuss experiences and heartwarming moments in their time at HOAF. Listen now to go behind the diagnosis and celebrate HOAF’s 35 years and more.

Dr. Vaughn:

Well, welcome to our Cancer Shop Talk listeners. Thank you for joining us today. And we are thrilled to deliver a special edition, as we celebrate our 35th anniversary here at HOAF. Today we’ll be talking with some of the HOAF owners, Dr. Maurer and Dr. Menachery. And they plan to share with us their history at HOAF, some special experiences and memories. And hopefully, offer some insight into the future growth expansion here at HOAF. So without further ado, I am excited to welcome two of my colleagues, friends and co-owners here at HOAF. I guess as my sons would call you guy, you’re the OGs. You’ve been around for a while. So yeah, so you guys are really the big time now. So welcome to both Dr. Maurer and Menachery. It’s a pleasure to have both of you give some time to talk and celebrate this special occasion.

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In our continuing efforts to combat the COVID 19 virus, HOAF offers the following services:

  • Vaccines, boosters and third doses through our on-site vaccine clinic 
  • Administration of the Evusheld prophylactic therapy for severely immunocompromised patients
  • Refer symptomatic HOAF patients, who test positive with the virus, for treatment with available monoclonal antibodies or antivirals

Our visitor policy allows for:

  • EXAM:  one visitor ONLY is allowed with patients regardless of visit type.
  • INFUSION:  one masked visitor may accompany patients.  

We ask that all visitors be symptom-free, with no recent exposures to COVID 19.

To return to the office, patients who have tested positive, are required to present a negative test after two weeks of confirmed COVID 19 diagnosis or no test required if more than 30 days has passed.

For those patients with COVID-like symptoms, a test is required before entering the building.  Testing can be done in our outdoor COVID testing area.  Please call our office to schedule.  PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING IF YOU ARE HAVING SYMPTOMS!  These include:

  • Congestion
  • Scratchy or sore throat
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Loss of sense of taste and/or smell

All patients, visitors and vendors must properly wear a mask to be admitted to the office.

As the unfortunate number of COVID-19 cases continue to rise, our priority will remain to keep you, your family, and our staff safe.  We have determined at this time that to lower the potential for exposures, we will need to limit the number of visitors in our office.  We understand the importance of having them with you; however, we must remain diligent in our infection prevention efforts.  

Effective 12/21/2020, we are allowing visitors for the following visits ONLY:

  • New Oncology Office Visits
  • Patient Education Visit
  • Biopsy Reviews
  • Office Scan Review

All other visits we ask that you be prepared to attend only.  Our infusion center continues to strictly follow the NO VISITOR policy.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we implement these restrictions.  Keeping you on schedule for your visits and treatments is our number one priority and the best way to ensure this happens is keeping you and our staff safe and healthy. 


As the COVID pandemic continues, our COVID Task Force will continue to evaluate statistics and follow CDC and VDH guidelines.  Visitor restrictions will be lifted when and if it is deemed safe and appropriate.  

AN UPDATE REGARDING CORONA VIRUS (COVID 19)
We at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg (and Stafford) strive to keep our patients, caregivers, staff and colleagues safe. With growing numbers of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases nationwide and in the state of Virginia, we are following the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for screening and management of patients.

We will be screening our patients for COVID-19 infection by asking:
Do you or someone close to you have fever, respiratory symptoms, such as a cough and
shortness of breath?
• Have you or someone close to you traveled to an affected geographic area within 2 weeks of
symptom onset, or have you been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19?

These questions will help us determine whether you should be seen in our clinic or in a setting that is better equipped for this situation (emergency room, etc.) If you answered YES to any of the above questions, please call our office immediately at 371-0079 and follow the prompts PRIOR to your appointment so that we can discuss how best to take care of you.

Again, DO NOT come in for your appointment if you have the above symptoms. If you do come in with these symptoms, you will be asked to return to your car and call our office at 371-0079 for a
telephone assessment so we do not expose other patients and staff.
We must all do our part to help prevent the spread. You can help protect yourself and others by limiting the number of visitors you bring with you to the office, and by avoiding large crowds, other sick individuals, and traveling. Wash hands frequently for 20 seconds, do not touch your face,
avoid handshakes and hugging or kissing.

Please see the updated Visitors policy below.  Now one visitor is allowed for new oncology patient visits, teach appointments, medically fragile and those requiring translation.  We value the support of the caretakers and still want to include them by phone but for now the safety of our patients, staff and families must take precedent.

NO VISITORS

In order to keep our patients and staff safe, we are following CDC guidelines and prohibiting visitors with patients.  Only exceptions include:

  • Patient Education Appointment Prior to Beginning Chemotherapy
  • Initial New Oncology Patient Visit
  • Patients Requiring Physical Assistance
  • In Some Cases, Translation Needs (If We Do Not Provide the Translator)

We will allow only one visitor with patients that fall into these exceptions.

Because this is a rapidly changing situation, local public health authorities have updated information regarding travel and other questions. Please contact your local Health Department for any additional questions or concerns or visit www.cdc.gov. Listen to the Corona Virus, Covid-19 HOAF podcast recorded with Dr. Vaughn and our task force, now at: https://www.hoafredericksburg.com/2020/03/23/corona-virus-covid-19-hoaf-response-task-force/.

The number of cases involving the new coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to climb in the United States.  While we are not yet aware of any cases in Virginia, the safety and the health of our community is our primary concern.  We are requesting that everyone be proactive and take precautions to prevent the spread of this new virus and any disease.  Our patient population at Hematology Oncology Associates of Fredericksburg tends to be at higher risk for infection due to the nature of their illness and side effects from treatment.  It is imperative that all of us follow the following preventative actions:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoid handshakes, hugs and kisses if possible.  
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after using the bathroom, before and after eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, Also wash your hands after hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with other persons.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.  If you don’t have access to soap and water use a hand sanitizer but wash your hands as soon as you have access to soap and water.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Call our office first should you experience fever, cough, and shortness of breath.  Also, please let us know if you have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or you have recently been in contact with someone that has traveled outside of the country or has been in a tourist location or an international airport.
  • Face masks should be used ONLY by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

Also, please be aware of “false prevention measures”, without evidence to support its use:

  • Not everyone should wear a mask as a preventive measure.    The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.  Face masks should only be used by patients who show symptoms of illness to help prevent the spread of disease.

There is no need for panic, but we can be proactive and all do our part to prevent the spread of disease in our community and amongst our patient population.  Thank you for your cooperation and immediate assistance!

The HOAF Support Group meets every Tuesday of the month at 12:30 in our downstairs conference room. Patients, family, and friends are all welcome and lunch is provided.

Topics and dates for 2020:

  • January 21 – Integrative Therapy
  • February 18 – Dealing with Emotions
  • March 17 – Adult coloring
  • April 21 – Fitness tips
  • May 19 – Chemo makeovers
  • June 16 – Nutrition
  • July 21 – Aromatherapy
  • August 18 – Financial considerations
  • September 15 – End of life planning
  • October 20 – Yoga
  • November 17 – Art therapy – holiday project
  • December 15 – Holiday party

Request an Appointment Online or Over the Phone!

Call Us 540.371.0079