Silver Cross Welcomes Renowned Cancer Specialists

Two renowned cancer specialists recently joined UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, reinforcing an already impressive staff of experienced cancer experts ready to help the community. 

Dr. Azhar Awan, Radiation Oncologist, and Dr. Dario Villamar, Hematologist – Medical Oncologist, now treat patients on the Silver Cross campus. 

Dr. Villamar is a Clinical Associate of Medicine in Hematology and Oncology. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine. He received his medical training at Weill Cornell Medicine, with an internship at New York Hospital Weill Cornell Medical College. He performed his residency at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center and completed his fellowship in Hematology-Oncology at the University of Chicago Medical Center. 

Dr. Awan is an Associate Professor of Radiation and Cellular Oncology at the University of Chicago. He has been on staff at UCM for many years but has now transitioned his practice to Silver Cross full-time. 

He specializes in treating all solid tumors and lymphomas. He is particularly skilled in the treatment of prostate cancer, soft tissue sarcomas and breast cancer. 

Dr. Awan is an expert in leading edge cancer treatments, including intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and 3-D conformal radiation therapy. He also is skilled in the use of unsealed radioactive sources for treating painful bone metastases. 

Dr. Awan has been a contributing researcher in several cancer studies, including early trials that formed the basis of the multidisciplinary head and neck cancer program at the University of Chicago Medicine. 

He received his medical education at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, with an internship at Henry Ford Hospital and a residency at St. Luke's Medical Center. 

In addition to English, Dr. Awan speaks Swahili, Punjabi and Urdu. 

To request an appointment with Dr. Villamar or Dr. Awan, call (815) 300-1400.