MERCY MATTERS

Meet Healthcare Hero:

Dr. Sandra Herrington, M.D.

by Nicole Davis

Meet Dr. Sandra Herrington M.D. from Hawthorne Drive in Shawnee. Dr. Herrington is a Radiation Oncologist at Mercy St. Rita’s and has over 25 years of experience in her field. She specializes in prostate cancer and can provide treatment for all other types of cancer as well as benign tumors. Sandra shared, “We treat cancer all of the time!” The important thing is prevention. Doing routine mammograms, PSA blood tests, and colonoscopies can catch cancer earlier, which can give patients a higher chance of being cured.

Dr. Herrington grew up in southeastern Michigan, not too far from Detroit. She always had the goal to become a biologist and work academically. This ambition led her to earn her undergraduate degree at Michigan State and her master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Her career path changed while she was in graduate school at the University of Kansas earning her PHD in Biology. The job market was tough and through her sister’s affiliation, as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force, Sandra found a new direction. Dr. Herrington joined the Air Force and, because of their need for doctors, she earned her medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Sandra earned the prestigious rank of Lt. Colonel and served honorably in the United States Air Force at WrightPatterson Airforce Base near Dayton, Ohio for 15 ½ years. While working in the U.S. Air Force, Sandra also met her husband Dan. They are happily married and share two special anniversaries. After tying the knot with a romantic wedding by a court judge in Dayton, Ohio, they then had a more traditional ceremony/honeymoon a few days later in Bora Bora! Sandra and Dan also have two children. Their son Eric is a graduate from The Ohio State University. He works as a document editor for a law firm in a suburb outside of Columbus and is an aspiring author. Becky, their daughter, is high functioning autistic and lives at home with them. Becky enjoys what the family refers to as “duck rescue” and saves mallards that are chased by raccoons around the pond behind their home. She finds and raises ducks that are left in the nest until they are able to go out on their own.

The Herrington’s found their home in Shawnee in 2009 after Sandra became a full time hire at St. Rita’s. With the help of a realtor, they found their dream property on Hawthorne Drive. It was in the perfect neighborhood with 5 acres of land, including wildlife, a pond, and the woods. The home also had a bar in the basement, which was perfect for Dan. Sandra enjoys bringing out the beauty in everything, which can be seen in the landscaping around her home. With the help of Layman Feed and Lawn, in Elida, Sandra begins with a rock canvas and makes something new. You can get lost in the charm of their home by taking in the ambiance of swans on the lake, blooming fruit trees, and abundance of wildlife around each corner.

Dr. Herrington is known for having compassion and care for all aspects of her life, including her patients. Sandra expressed, “The best feeling is sitting down face to face with a patient and figuring out a way to help them.” At Allison Radiation Oncology – Mercy Health, their medical group provides treatment using the same equipment found at larger hospitals, right here at home. Dr. Herrington is accepting new patients. Please call (419) 996-5063, to schedule an appointment.