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Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD

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Specializes in: General Surgery and Surgical Oncology (Cancer Surgery)

Weill Cornell Medical College (2011)

Professional interests include: tumor, robotic surgery, skin cancer, and more.

38660 Medical Center Drive
Palmdale, CA 93551

1-877-828-3627

Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD is a general surgeon in Palmdale, CA specializing in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). She graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College in 2011 and has 14 years of experience. Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD is affiliated with Antelope Valley Medical Center, Providence, City of Hope and CITY OF HOPE MEDICAL FOUNDATION.

Office Locations

38660 Medical Center Drive
Palmdale, CA 93551

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44151 15th Street W
Lancaster, CA 93534

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23823 Valencia Boulevard
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

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Some issues Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD can help you with:

Hepatectomy (Liver Resection)

Hepatectomy, or liver resection, is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the liver to treat cancer or other diseases. The liver is divided into one left and one right lobe, and each lobe is divided into segments. The amount of liver removed is dependent on factors such as the size, location, and number of tumors or other lesions. The following are types of liver resection:

Wedge resection, which removes a small piece of the liver for small lesions
Segmentectomy, which removes a single segment of the liver, allowing the surgeon to treat tumors in multiple places without removing too much of the liver
Trisegmentectomy, which removes around 70% of the liver
Lobectomy, which removes the entire left or right lobe

Liver resection can be performed laparoscopically or through open surgery. Laparoscopic liver resection is a minimally invasive surgery that requires a few tiny incisions on the abdomen, through which the surgeon inserts a thin tube with a camera (laparoscope). Open hepatectomy is performed through a laparotomy, which makes one large incision on the abdomen. Although a laparoscopic liver resection is associated with less pain and quicker recovery, patients may have to undergo an open liver resection depending on factors such as the location of the tumor and previous abdominal operations they have had.

After the liver resection, patients will stay in the hospital for up to six days. The recovery period will vary based on how much of the liver was removed. Limiting consumption of alcohol and light physical activity, such as walking, can help patients to have a speedy recovery.

Pancreatectomy (Pancreas Removal)

Pancreatectomy is surgery to remove part or all of the pancreas to treat pancreatitis, tumors, or cancer. The pancreas is located behind the stomach and near the small intestine and spleen. There are three sections of the pancreas:

The head, which is the portion closest to the intestines
The body, which is the middle portion of the pancreas
The tail, which is the portion nearest the spleen

Pancreas removal procedures differ based on how much of the pancreas and surrounding organs are removed. There are three types of pancreatectomy:

Distal pancreatectomy removes the tail and body of the pancreas. This procedure treats tumors confined to these areas.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy, or the Whipple procedure, removes the pancreas, duodenum, bile duct, and, sometimes, part of the stomach. The Whipple procedure is used for pancreatic tumors that have not spread past the head of the pancreas and for other conditions affecting the pancreas, duodenum, and bile duct.
Total pancreatectomy removes the whole pancreas along with the duodenum, gallbladder, parts of the stomach and bile duct, surrounding lymph nodes, and, potentially, the spleen. Rarely performed, total pancreatectomy treats conditions that involve the entire pancreas, such as tumors found in multiple sites on the pancreas, or for rare tumors such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN).

Pancreatectomy can be done by open or minimally invasive surgery. During a laparoscopic pancreatectomy, the surgeon will use tiny incisions to insert a thin tube with a camera, or laparoscope, into the abdomen. Open surgery, or a laparotomy, is performed through a larger incision on the abdomen. If additional organs are removed, some procedures may require that the small intestine be reconnected to the stomach.

The hospital for pancreatectomy stay may be between 1-3 weeks. Generally, laparoscopic surgeries require shorter recovery periods. Whether patients undergo an open or laparoscopic procedure is determined by factors such as their condition and the extent of their procedure. For example, open surgery tends to be more common for distal pancreatectomies. If patients have difficulty eating, they may require a nasogastric tube, inserted through the nose, to carry food to their stomachs. A catheter can be inserted into the bladder if patients have trouble urinating. Full recovery may take about two months.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2016

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2016 were hypertension, cancer and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	0
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	63
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	63

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	22
Female	25

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	29
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	25
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2017

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2017 were hypertension, high cholesterol, cancer and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	36
Dementia	0
Cancer	60

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated as a general surgeon in Palmdale, CA during 2018 were hospital care and inpatient care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	151
hospital care	61
inpatient care	61

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	39
Female	68

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	71
Black	0
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	27
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2018

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2018 were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and cancer.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	51
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	42
Dementia	15
Cancer	43

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated as a general surgeon in Palmdale, CA during 2019 were excision, lymph node procedures, breast procedures and cancer surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	20
cancer surgery	20
diagnostic procedures	19
doctor visit	222
excision	39
lymph node procedures	38
open surgery	19

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	28
Female	126

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	99
Black	25
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	82
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	15
Less than 65	29

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2019

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2019 were hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	49
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	45
Dementia	21
Cancer	61

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	87

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	16
Female	93

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	74
Black	18
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	53
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2020

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2020 were hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	39
Dementia	18
Cancer	72

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	70

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	65
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	46
From 75 to 84	29
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2021

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2021 were hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	38
Dementia	16
Cancer	74

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated as a general surgeon in Palmdale, CA during 2022 were lymph node procedures, excision, open surgery and diagnostic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	11
cancer surgery	11
diagnostic procedures	13
doctor visit	120
excision	24
lymph node procedures	26
open surgery	13

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	19
Female	104

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	82
Black	0
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	34
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2022

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2022 were cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	23
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	41
Dementia	0
Cancer	75

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated as a general surgeon in Palmdale, CA during 2023 were breast procedures, cancer surgery, excision and hospital care.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

breast procedures	19
cancer surgery	19
doctor visit	160
excision	19
hospital care	15
inpatient care	15

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	23
Female	144

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	108
Black	13
Hispanic	34
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	75
From 75 to 84	54
85 and over	14
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2023

The most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated during 2023 were high cholesterol, hypertension, cancer and diabetes.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	29
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	37
Dementia	7
Cancer	69

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2016 - 2023

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated as a general surgeon in Palmdale, CA were hospital care, inpatient care, lymph node procedures and excision.

breast procedures	16
cancer surgery	16
diagnostic procedures	16
doctor visit	135
excision	27
hospital care	38
inpatient care	38
lymph node procedures	32
open surgery	16

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2016 - 2023

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD.

**Gender**
Male	18
Female	70

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	7
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	66
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	10
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	26
85 and over	3
Less than 65	6
65 to 74	49

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD From 2016 - 2023

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD treated were hypertension, cancer, high cholesterol and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	2
Ischemic Heart Disease	45
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	12
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	34
Atrial Fibrillation	9
Cancer	64
Dementia	9

Education & Training

Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD graduated from Weill Cornell Medical College in 2011. She completed residency at Stamford Hospital, Connecticut. She is certified by the Surgery (General Surgery) and has a state license in Connecticut.

Medical School: Weill Cornell Medical College (2011)

Residency: Stamford Hospital, Connecticut (2016)

Board Certification: Surgery (General Surgery)

Licensed In: Connecticut

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Antelope Valley Medical Center

Providence

City of Hope

CITY OF HOPE MEDICAL FOUNDATION

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Anthem Blue Cross HMO, Aetna HMO, Blue Shield of California, United Healthcare HMO, Anthem, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, Health Net HMO and CIGNA HMO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Anthem Blue Cross HMO

Aetna HMO

Blue Shield of California

United Healthcare HMO

Anthem

Medicare Advantage

Humana Medicare Advantage

Health Net HMO

CIGNA HMO

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$160 Vascular $160
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.	$155 BIOA Tissue Reinforcement $155
ACell, Inc.	$134 $134
Genentech USA, Inc.	$33 Perjeta $33
Boston Scientific Corporation	$23 Angiojet ZelanteDVT Thrombectomy Catheter $23
Other	$17 Ultiva $17

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$522

Biography

Dr. Heather Player is a specialist in general surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). Her areas of expertise include swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), leiomyosarcoma, and colon cancer. Dr. Player's professional affiliations include Antelope Valley Medical Center and Providence. United Healthcare HMO, Anthem, and Blue California are among the insurance carriers that Dr. Player honors. She has an open panel in Santa Clarita, CA according to Doctor.com. She attended medical school at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Player's training includes a residency program at Stamford Hospital, Connecticut. Dr. Player speaks Spanish.

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Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2021

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2022

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD in 2023

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2016 - 2023

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2016 - 2023

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Heather Anne Player, MD From 2016 - 2023

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Insurance Information

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

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