Meet the Doctors

Adriana Blakaj, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist dedicated to providing innovative, patient-centered cancer care. She earned her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine, completed her internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and completed her residency in radiation oncology at Yale New Haven Hospital. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Blakaj holds a PhD from the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Blakaj partners with multidisciplinary teams across the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute to deliver personalized treatment plans and advanced radiation therapies tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Daniel Cherry, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor of therapeutic radiology and cares for patients in Trumbull, as well as in Wallingford as part of the Connecticut Proton Therapy Center. Cherry received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, followed by a Master of Public Health. He completed residency in radiation oncology at Ichan School of Medicine, where he served as chief resident.

His clinical practice focuses on the care of patients with thoracic, genitourinary, and hematologic malignancies. His research interests include using patient-reported outcomes to improve care.

Kevin Du, MD, PhD, is a radiation oncologist who specializes in therapeutic radiology, with a focus on breast cancer and gastrointestinal radiotherapy. He is dedicated to improving cancer care through innovative treatment approaches, including organ preservation techniques and clinical trials aimed at enhancing patient quality of life.

Dr. Du believes in tailoring cancer treatments to meet the individual needs of his patients, leveraging cutting-edge biology and technology. He expresses a strong commitment to his patients, saying, “the incredible opportunity to learn about my patients’ lives, what is important to them, and to help them in a time of crisis,” is his favorite part of the job.
Dr. Du is an associate professor at Yale School of Medicine, where his work emphasizes the importance of clinical trials in developing new cancer therapies, particularly for challenging conditions like stomach cancer.

“While I can’t guarantee what will happen in the long run, I can guarantee that I will give you the best care possible, and that I will help you in any way I can,” he says.

Dr. Du completed his medical training and doctoral degree at the University of Pennsylvania and a residency in radiation oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Kenneth B. Roberts, MD, is a therapeutic radiologist who specializes in the treatment of pediatric cancers, lymphomas, leukemias, sarcomas, and colo-anal cancers.

Dr. Roberts uses radiotherapy, which involves targeting tumors with radiation to kill cancer cells, and brachytherapy, a technique where radiation sources are placed inside or next to the treatment area, to manage both malignant and benign conditions. He focuses on the integration of different therapies to improve cancer management and studies the long-term effects of these treatments, including the risk of developing secondary cancers.

As a professor of therapeutic radiology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Roberts conducts research aimed at optimizing cancer treatment strategies. His work includes investigating how to modify radiation doses in Hodgkin’s disease based on chemotherapy response and examining the role of brachytherapy in various cancers. He also explores the economic factors influencing the use of radiotherapy techniques.

Dr. Roberts received his medical training from Duke University and completed his residency in radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center, as well as in internal medicine at Ohio State University Hospitals. He furthered his expertise with a fellowship in hematology-oncology at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Roberts has been recognized as a fellow of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) for his contributions to the field.

Alisa Rybkin, MD, MPH, is an assistant professor of therapeutic radiology and cares for patients in New Haven, as well as in Wallingford as part of the Connecticut Proton Therapy Center. Rybkin received her medical degree from the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, followed by a Master of Public Health. She completed her residency in radiation oncology at Yale, where she served as chief resident, and a transitional internship at Peconic Bay Medical Center.

Her clinical practice focuses on proton therapy and treating patients with head and neck cancers, and her research goals include clinical trial development and optimization of patient selection of evolving therapies. She is passionate about providing high quality, multidisciplinary patient care, as well as academic pursuits in education and research.

Charles (“Charlie”) Rutter, MD, is a radiation oncologist with the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute who specializes in treating complex cancers using advanced radiation therapy techniques. He practices at Hartford Hospital and the Cancer Institute’s Avon location. Dr. Rutter joined Hartford HealthCare in 2016 after completing his radiation oncology training at Yale University.

Dr. Rutter’s clinical expertise includes central nervous system malignancies, primary brain tumors, spine and brain radiosurgery, and head and neck cancers. He collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams across surgical, medical and radiation oncology to develop personalized treatment plans that deliver the highest quality care for every patient.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Rutter plays an active role in expanding the Cancer Institute’s radiation oncology research portfolio through collaborations with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, including clinical trials focused on personalized de-escalation of chemoradiation for patients with favorable-risk HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer.
When he is not caring for patients or advancing cancer research, Dr. Rutter enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and going mountain biking.

Adam G. Johnson, MD, is a radiation oncologist with the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, providing expert cancer care to patients throughout Connecticut. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency in radiation oncology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he also served as chief resident.

Dr. Johnson treats a wide range of cancers and is committed to delivering compassionate, individualized, evidence-based treatment using advanced radiation therapy techniques. He collaborates closely with a comprehensive team of oncology specialists to ensure coordinated patient care.

Dr. Johnson’s approach emphasizes education, collaboration and personalized treatment planning, helping patients navigate their cancer journey with confidence. In his personal time, he enjoys hiking, rock climbing, gardening and spending time with his family.