Best Biliary Tract Cancer Doctors in Winston Salem, NC

It is my goal to helping patients achieve the best quality of life. My definition of health extends far beyond the absence of disease with a focus on helping patients breathe easier and live better.

Dr. Lori Kellam, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Winston Salem, NC. She is 64 years old and has been practicing for 34 years. Dr. Lori Kellam, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Medical Park Hospital.

My mother, who worked as a nurse, is the main reason I chose medicine. \n Growing up, I witnessed her dedication to patient care and how she made a tangible difference in their lives. Inspired by her example, I initially pursued a career in nursing. However, during a medical humanitarian mission to South America, I was deeply moved to witness physicians addressing complex medical challenges while bringing much-needed care to underserved communities. I decided then to take the leap and pursue medical school. \n That's where I discovered my passion for cardiothoracic surgery - a field that demands precision and relies on seamless teamwork. But it was the opportunity to extend and improve patients' lives through surgical innovation that most drew me to the discipline. Over time, this specialty has become not just my profession - but my calling. \n I enjoy the challenge cardiothoracic surgery presents; it's among the most technically demanding specialties in medicine. \n My areas of interest include minimally invasive surgery; aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve repair; thoracic aortic repair; atrial fibrillation; treating lung and esophageal cancer; coronary artery disease and more. I'm board-certified in general, as well as thoracic and cardiac, surgery. \n My goal is to provide the safest, most effective care possible while ensuring patients feel heard, respected and confident in the care they receive. I strive to treat every patient as I would a family member. That means being transparent, compassionate and committed to safety. \n That commitment is evidenced by my surgical outcomes being ranked among the top 5% of cardiac and thoracic surgeons nationwide. \n I'm a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (and was an early initiate), Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Golden Key International Honour Society, Society of Thoracic Surgeons and others. I'm also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and was named "Teacher of the Year" in 2013 while serving as an instructor in the University of Utah's physician assistant program. \n In addition, I'm a medical board reviewer for the state of North Carolina and serve as a clinical trial investigator, which places me at the forefront of cardiothoracic surgical advancements. \n My wonderful wife and I are proud parents of two amazing daughters. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I cherish our time together, whether at home or on an adventure. \n I have a deep passion for music and love attending concerts and music festivals. I'm also an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which keeps me physically active while also challenging me mentally. It teaches resilience, focus and humility. My hobbies provide balance and help me bring my best self to both my personal and professional roles.

Jennifer Christman, MD, offers surgery along with nonsurgical treatments to her patients. She is passionate about providing remarkable care to all her patients and helping them get back to living a healthy, active life.

Dr. Shearer cares for hematology and oncology patients with all tumor types. She has a special interest in helping patients who have gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies including esophageal, colorectal and anal cancers, as well as hepatobiliary malignancies. She works closely with the GI multidisciplinary clinic at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. She has served as the primary investigator on many clinical trials for GI malignancies and regularly attends scholarly meetings. Dr. Shearer enjoys reading, cooking, traveling in her spare time and has run several half marathons. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters, her husband, a physician assistant in cardiothoracic surgery, and her golden retrievers.

I am a medical oncologist at Novant Health, specializing in lung cancer and thoracic malignancies. My father was my role model growing up and worked as an oral surgeon, which drew me towards a career in medicine from an early age. Like many families, my family was no stranger to cancer. \n Very quickly in my medical training, I identified oncology as my area of interest. I made it my goal to always be accessible to my patients, and to communicate the details of their illness, treatment, and prognosis in clear and concise language. I believe it is the patient's right to know all of the details regarding their case and that I should prioritize their input in making treatment decisions. \n I am passionate about identifying the latest cutting-edge research opportunities for my patients. That is why I am participating in Novant Health's effort to identify and overcome barriers to treatment for lung cancer patients in order to reduce the time from diagnosis to treatment and improve lung cancer outcomes. This is also why I co-chair the Thoracic Tumor Council and help lead the cancer physician team at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center.

Dr. Jepsen cares for hematology and oncology patients with all tumor types with a special focus on the treatment of breast cancer, as well as breast cancer prevention, genetics and survivorship. She also focuses on treating gastrointestinal malignancies. She has done research in molecular genetics and published translational research through Merck Inc. Her work has focused on DNA gene sequences for drug targets and sequencing of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) for vaccine development. She worked on colon cancer tumor profile expression with microarray analysis at Princeton University. Dr. Jepsen enjoys spending free time with her husband, daughter and extended family. She also enjoys traveling, cooking and vacationing at the beach.

Dr. Hopkins' clinical interests include the treatment of breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, genetics, survivorship and the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. She has served as chairwoman of the SCOR Cancer Care Delivery Research, as a member of the NCI Breast Oncology Local Disease (BOLD) task force and was a member of the NCI symptom management/quality of life steering committee. She serves on multiple committees dedicated to cancer research, symptom management and elderly populations. Dr. Hopkins has a passion for skiing and hiking and owns a 110-acre farm in Blacksburg, South Carolina with her husband, son and daughter-in-law. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction.