Cancer Care Consultants of Northern California

Michael Figueroa, M.D.

Michael Figueroa is a prominent member of the North State medical community, as the founder of Cancer Care Consultants and as the Director of the Mercy Regional Cancer Center. His colleagues, staff and patients value his gentle good-natured humor, and his deeply spiritual approach to his vocation. Dr. Figueroa’s sincerity and respect has set the tone for Cancer Care Consultants. “Patients look to us for answers to their questions regarding cancer .The answers can be very frightening and emotional. Sometimes we just don’t have an answer. Nevertheless, we must convey what we know in a kind, compassionate and honest fashion. Although we must never treat our own families, we should treat patients as if they are our families.” Dr. Figueroa is currently the Chairman of the Cancer Committee, the Medical Ethics Committee, and the Ida C. Emmerson Endowment Board. In 2001 he received the Person of Distinction Award from Soroptimist International Redding, and was instrumental in creating the new Morgan Family Cancer Resource Center.

Dr. Figueroa received his Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s Degree in Biology and Cytogenetics at the University of Nevada, Reno. He earned his MD at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, and served his residency in Internal Medicine at University of California, San Francisco’s San Joaquin Valley Medical Education Program. His subsequent Fellowship at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation introduced him to great medical thinkers and researchers; all important influences on his medical practice. He worked on the bone marrow transplant unit, and contributed to advances in research on Gaucher’s Disease. Dr. Figueroa has written many articles and abstracts, and contributed to various medical publications, about the treatment of cancer. He is especially interested in stem cell research, carcinoma of the breast, hematologic malignancies and gene therapy.

In 1992, when Dr. Figueroa learned that the Sisters of Mercy were seeking an oncologist for Mercy Medical Center, he had to look at a map to locate Redding. The hospital’s mission statement, with its emphasis on “respect” and “dignity”, convinced him that he had found the right place for himself, his wife and two sons. His motto is “I am third”, and he has focused on service to God and others before himself, in his practice and in many volunteer projects. Dr. Figueroa believes that cancer patients have an opportunity to discover a more meaningful, more spiritual humanity. He encourages his patients to fight, and to live each day to the fullest. He advises his patients, “Remember, we don’t know what the outcome will be. In fact, your chances of being alive tomorrow are as good as anyone else’s – so no matter what, appreciate what you have, and make the best of today.”