Advocate Radiation Oncology’s Compliance & Ethics CHOICEline
The CHOICE framework guides us in making ethical decisions. When facing any situation, we Consider all aspects carefully, engage in Honest reflection, maintain Open communication, act with Integrity, demonstrate Courage when needed, and Evaluate our actions to learn and improve. This concept can be used individually or altogether as a group. Our managers can use this in their meetings with their teams and other managers.
The CHOICE framework is a living tool that grows stronger with use. Each time you apply it, you strengthen our culture of ethical decision-making and contribute to our organization’s commitment to excellence in patient care and professional conduct.
What is a Speak-Up Culture?
A speak-up culture creates an environment where all employees feel empowered and safe to voice concerns about potential compliance issues, safety risks, or ethical dilemmas, regardless of their position. This proactive approach helps us identify and address problems early, maintain regulatory compliance, enhance patient safety, and demonstrate our commitment to ethical healthcare delivery.
Every team member has both the right and responsibility to raise concerns that might affect patient care, workplace safety, or compliance. Your insights help us maintain high standards and fulfill our mission of excellent healthcare.
All concerns are taken seriously and handled with professionalism and discretion.
We make speaking up accessible by:
- Providing multiple reporting channels, including supervisors, department leaders, our compliance officer, and our confidential CHOICEline (1-888-211-9571)
- Protecting employees from all forms of retaliation
- Conducting prompt, thorough investigations
- Maintaining confidentiality
- Taking appropriate action on verified concerns
- Providing feedback on how concerns were addressed
- When you speak up, you can be confident your concerns will be taken seriously, your identity protected when possible, and you’ll be treated with respect throughout the process.
How to Report
You can make a report anonymously online or by phone through our third-party hotline provider, Ethico. Reports are forwarded confidentially to Advocate’s Compliance, Ethics, Privacy & Risk team for review and, if appropriate, investigation.
After submitting a report, you will receive a Report ID. This ID can be used to follow up on your concern, add new information, or check for updates on your case.
Call the confidential CHOICEline hotline at:
What You Can Report
- Patient safety or quality of care
- HIPAA or data privacy breaches
- HIPAA or data privacy breaches
- Fraud, waste, or abuse
- Financial or billing irregularities
- Workplace safety
- Harassment, discrimination, or retaliation
- Conflicts of interest or gifts
- Any other concern that may violate our ethical standards
CHOICEline: Report a Concern
At Advocate Radiation Oncology, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct, patient care, and workplace integrity. Our CHOICEline Compliance & Ethics Reporting System provides a confidential way for all team members to ask questions, report concerns, or seek guidance when something doesn’t seem right.
We encourage every employee—whether clinical, administrative, or support—to speak up when you observe behavior that may violate our Code of Conduct, company policies, or applicable laws and regulations.
Our Commitment to You
We are committed to a speak-up culture where every employee feels safe, respected, and heard. Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern in good faith is strictly prohibited. Advocate Radiation Oncology complies with all applicable whistleblower protection laws and reinforces this commitment in our Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct.
Speaking up is not just allowed—it’s encouraged. Your voice helps protect our patients, our colleagues, and our mission.
Contact Us Directly
If you prefer to contact our team directly, please reach out to the Vice President of Compliance:
Not sure who you need to get in contact with? Send an email to our general compliance mailbox: compliance@advocatero.com. You may also call the confidential CHOICEline hotline at 1-888-211-9571.
All concerns are taken seriously and handled with professionalism and discretion.
Dr. Todd Pezzi first became interested in oncology at a young age after seeing cancer impact his own family. He is passionate about delivering state-of-the-art oncologic care to the residents of Southwest Florida.
Thomas J. Klein, M.D., Ph.D., FACRO is a board-certified radiation oncologist who provides world class cancer treatment in a caring community setting. He values the personal relationships he forms with each of his patients and is committed to helping them in their fight against cancer. Dr. Klein is an advocate for his patients both in and out of the clinic. He has raised awareness on news broadcasts, lobbied for cancer patients’ rights on Capitol Hill, and educated physicians around the country on making better treatment decisions for their patients.
