General Info

Dr. Vicario is a medical oncologist who co-founded the San Diego Cancer Center (SDCC). He is a pioneer in the research of mind-body medicine (the influence of the human spirit on the healing process) and in the field of integrative medicine. He created the Integrative Medicine Program at SDCC in 1988, and has been director of the program for over a decade.His research interests and publications focus on the treatment of advanced head and neck cancers with highly selective intra-arterial chemotherapy infusions; immunotherapy of hematological malignancies; comprehensive therapy of GU malignancies; and improving the quality of life for cancer patients. Dr. Vicario was born in California and moved with his family at age 7 to Argentina, where he finished his schooling and graduated from medical school. He then returned to his native California for his medical training, including a fellowship at UC San Diego Division of Hematology / Oncology.In 1994 Dr. Vicario joined the Medical Group of North County, and then co-founded SDCC with Dr. Mark J. Adler. He has been a senior partner, a medical oncologist and an integrative oncologist at SDCC. Dr. Vicario also co-founded with Dr. Adler the San Diego Cancer Research Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and conducting research and the development of innovative cancer therapies to improve the care and quality of life for cancer patients.In February 2011, the SDCC became part of UC San Diego Health. Dr. Vicario is now a full-time medical oncologist with UC San Diego Health and remains medical director of SDCC.In recent years, Dr. Vicario has served the San Diego community through a variety of non-profit groups, including positions as:Medical director of Sharp Hospice in San DiegoMedical director of Hospice of the North Coast in CarlsbadChairman of Cancer Committee, Tri- City Medical Center, Oceanside, CA Member of Professional Advisory Board and speaker for Survivorship San DiegoMember of the Professional Advisory Board and Board of Directors of The Wellness Community San Diego, a non-profit organization supporting San Diegans affected by cancerChief of the division of Hematology/Oncology, Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, CABoard member of the American Cancer Society, San Diego ChapterIn 1999 Dr. Vicario was the recipient of the annual CHAD Health Hero Awards for his "dedication and commitment to better health for the residents of San Diego County." In 2006 he received the Channel 10 News Leadership Award for the creation of the Integrative Medicine Program. In 2008 Dr. Vicario was recipient of the "Health Care Champion Award" by the San Diego Business Journal.Dr. Vicario enjoys teaching medical students, medical residents, fellows, other physicians, nurses, medical staff and sharing information and knowledge with patients with cancer. Dr. Vicario feels that his patients are and have always been his real and true teachers.Dr. Vicario and his wife enjoy spending time with their four children, hiking, going to the beach, and traveling.UC San Diego Health LinksFor more information on cancer treatment at UC San Diego Health, see https://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/cancer/Pages/default.aspx.