Dr. Shyam Paryani was already an accomplished medical doctor when he enrolled
at UNF’s Master of Health Administration program. The training Paryani received
at UNF made it possible to greatly expand the number of cancer patients helped
each year.
Paryani, who was born in India and came to Jacksonville with his father at
the age of 11, graduated from the University of Florida Medical School in 1979.
After additional training in radiation therapy, he returned to Jacksonville to
follow in the footsteps of his father, who was also a radiation oncologist.
As the practice grew it became clear to Paryani he needed more than his
medical training to succeed. “I went to UNF because I needed better management
skills.”
Today Paryani is director of Florida & Georgia Radiation Oncology Group,
one of the region’s largest such medical organizations with offices in
Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Palatka and Orange Park. The Florida group was
started by Paryani’s father and Dr. Walter Phelps Scott, who is referred to as
the father of radiation therapy in north Florida. “My proudest accomplishment
professionally is being able to continue with the vision of my father and Dr.
Scott. From the beginning our mission has been to provide cancer care to anyone
who needed it.”
That mission has been amplified with Paryani’s role as chairman of the board
of OnCURE Medical Corp. OnCURE owns, operates and manages 35 radiation centers
in Florida and California. The firm provides management expertise to its
affiliated physician groups.
By taking on more of the management responsibilities, Paryani reasons his
group is able to allow physicians more time to treat patients. “I don’t think I
could do any of this without the training I received at UNF.”
That’s quite a compliment from Paryani, who has studied at many educational
institutions. In addition to his medical degree, he received a bachelor’s degree
in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in nuclear engineering/radiation
physics from the University of Florida. He did post–graduate work at the Sloan
Kettering Cancer Institute, the University of Texas at Houston and Stanford
University.
Despite the growth of the management business, Paryani still finds time to
care for his long-time patients, some of whom have been with him for more than
20 years. “Normally I don’t take new patients, but I feel I have an obligation
to them.”
Apparently, medicine runs in the family. He is married to Dr. Sharon Goldman
Paryani, who is a pediatric infectious disease specialist. The couple has three
children.
Paryani is also active in the Jacksonville community. He is chairman of the
board of the Baptist Health Foundation, a past board member at the Bolles
School, past president of the Duval County chapter of the American Cancer
Society, and a Board member of the Deerwood Rotary.
However, his pet project is helping with the annual Professional Scholarship
Classic, a golf tournament benefiting health care students. He is proud that 100
percent of the proceeds provide 30 to 40 scholarships for students, including
many going to UNF.
“UNF is an undervalued treasure. There may be bigger schools that get more
attention, but UNF is one of our most valuable community resources.”
