Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Colon and Rectal Surgery >
  • Patient Stories >
  • Susan McFarland
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Conditions We Treat
Our Technology and Expertise
Our Experts
Locations
Patient Stories
Telemedicine
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Conditions We Treat
Our Technology and Expertise
Our Experts
Locations
Patient Stories
Telemedicine

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Susan McFarland: Colon Tumor Patient Story

Image of Susan.

Two-time breast cancer and thyroid cancer survivor Susan McFarland had just finished her 30th round of radiation treatment when a routine PET scan showed something suspicious on her colon. Her doctor, Jordan Senchak, MD, a medical oncologist at St. Clair Hospital Cancer Center, affiliated with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, advised her to get a colonoscopy.

In February 2025, Susan had a colonoscopy and biopsy, which revealed she had a large tumor that needed to be removed. Afterward, she reached out to her UPMC primary care provider Morcos Habib, MD, who referred her to David Medich, MD, a colon and rectal surgeon at UPMC specializing in the management of colon and rectal carcinoma.

Because Susan, 51, doesn’t have much paid time off, she requested the presurgery appointment be via telemedicine. From her home in Jeanette, it would have taken her two hours to travel to and from Dr. Medich’s office.

Instead, she met with Dr. Medich via a video visit, during which they discussed the possibility of her tumor being cancerous.

“I was very impressed with him,” says Susan. "When Dr. Medich came on camera, he said he took a deep dive into my medical history. He was thorough."

The next day, she followed up with Dr. Senchak and was pleased to hear her surgeon had consulted him about her treatment plan.

“With my doctors being in the same network, the communication between them has been tremendous,” says Susan. "I’ve also benefited from the UPMC Patient Portal where I can access everything — from my appointment summaries to test results — all in one place."

Traveling to Pittsburgh for Advanced Colorectal Surgery

In March, Susan traveled to UPMC Montefiore for surgery. Dr. Medich used a minimally invasive technique to remove the tumor and half of her large intestine.

“I received excellent care from Dr. Medich and his team, who were all so kind,” adds Susan.

After a successful recovery, she followed up with Dr. Medich via another video visit, during which they went over the biopsy results of her tumor: It was benign.

“We were super excited to learn the tumor wasn’t cancerous,” says Susan. “I also feel very fortunate we were able to have the appointments by video conference. Taking unpaid time off work affects me financially. As a single mom, I can’t do it.

"The ability to check in with my doctors through telehealth is invaluable. It’s more convenient since you don’t need to travel.”

Susan’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.

UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login