Best Radiation Oncology Specialists in Wilmington, NC

I chose medicine as a career for two reasons. Both my parents were nurses, and I always enjoyed science in school. \n For six years, I worked as a hospitalist before entering the oncology world. In PA school, I never imagined I would work in oncology because I thought it would be too sad. But during my time as a hospitalist, I spent the most time with my oncology patients and got to know them on a personal level. They taught me some important life lessons including that there are many positive outcomes and lots of reasons to have hope in oncology. \n I treat my patients as I would want to be treated. I often see patients on the worst day of their lives, and I want to make that day better by assuring them they have a whole team behind them. I'm always transparent and communicate in a way they understand. I encourage a family member to be present during my evaluations because two sets of ears are always better than one. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words, so I review patients' scans with them in great detail so they fully understand their disease and our treatment plan. \n I was born and raised in upstate New York, and North Carolina has been home since 2015. I'm married and have a son, plus three stepchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (especially psychological thrillers), going to the beach and out on the boat, live music and following the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dr. Tiffany Morgan, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. She is 37 years old. Dr. Tiffany Morgan, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Dr. John McCool, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 41 years old and has been practicing for 14 years. Dr. John McCool, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Tiffany Morgan, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. She is 37 years old. Dr. Tiffany Morgan, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

Dr. John McCool, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. He is 41 years old and has been practicing for 14 years. Dr. John McCool, MD is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

I knew from a very early age that I wanted to be a doctor. I went into radiation oncology because I found it a perfect blend of technology and patient care and because several family members have battled cancer. My mom died of metastatic colon cancer. \n So, my work as radiation oncology director at Scotts Hill is deeply personal to me. \n Cancer is incredibly complex, and patients tell me they appreciate how I break things down to an understandable level and give them a clear and accurate description of their situation and our treatment plan. \n I retired from the U.S. Navy Medical Corps as captain and won numerous awards and citations during my years in the military. I was an honor graduate of my flight surgery class, specialty leader for all of Navy radiation oncology and chief of radiation oncology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for nine years. For my work in helping rebuild healthcare systems in Afghanistan in 2008, I was honored to receive the Joint Defense Meritorious Service Medal. \n I enjoy the research aspect of my job and participate in NRG Oncology trials. I've been the principal investigator in national lung studies. \n My wife, Mimi, and I have been married for more than three decades and have three grown children. Our daughter is a software developer in New York, and one son is a Marine Corps staff sergeant in New Bern, North Carolina, and our youngest son is an accomplished chef. When not working, you can find me outdoors - likely golfing, boating or snowboarding.

It's not often that a squashed bug leads to a career in medicine, but that is exactly what led me to the medical field. I was about 8 years old when I saw that flattened bug in my driveway, and I remember thinking about how its organs functioned to allow it to live before it was squashed flat. I became fascinated with living things and how bodies worked; science became my favorite subject, and "doctor" became my one and only career choice. \n I find myself frequently thinking about the trust patients put into my decisions and care; it is a huge privilege and responsibility. I see my role as an oncologist as not only providing care, but as coaching the patient through treatment and recovery. I'm honored to be able to follow them through the entire process. \n When I am not working, I spend most of my time with my family. I am married and have two children. Together, we love to cook and try different cuisines. Kids' activities also keep us busy; whether they are playing hockey, performing musical theater or competing in Rubik's cube competitions, we are there to support our kids in all that they do. I am also passionate about staying healthy through diet and exercise, love to travel, and enjoy watching the Carolina Hurricanes whenever I can.

As a kid, I loved science and helping people, so medicine was an obvious career path. \n Radiation oncology lives at the nexus of clinical medicine, advanced technology and physics - all of which are important to me. I like using advanced technology to help people live healthier, longer lives. \n Every individual is unique, and we all deserve to be treated as such. Every patient has the right to be cared for by compassionate, collaborative experts who specialize in their disease. \n I pride myself on taking time to really explain diagnoses and educate patients about their disease before ever discussing treatment options. I want my patients to leave their visits understanding as much about their disease as possible. \n Once patient education is complete, I try and apply data, as well as my knowledge and experience, to craft a personalized treatment plan that's right for the patient and is consistent with their goals and values. I never want patients or their loved ones to feel rushed, so I strive to make sure all their questions are answered fully. \n I serve as the Novant Health Cancer Institute Coastal region lead physician, as well as the Novant Health Cancer Institute Multidisciplinary Genitourinary tumor board director for the Coastal region. The majority of my clinical practice and research interests focus on prostate cancer. \n I'm a Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center Physician Leadership Institute graduate and earned a certificate from Belmont University Lean Healthcare program. I also completed a brachytherapy fellowship at ABS/Seattle Prostate Institute. \n The M. Robert Cooper Oncology Award, Radiological Society of America (RSNA) Medical Student Scholar Award and ASCO Clinical Trials Participation Award are among honors I've received during my career. I also received an RSNA resident research grant and was a fellow in AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research. \n I am a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Brachytherapy Society and American Society of Clinical Oncology. \n I am the institutional principal investigator for all NRG genitourinary oncology studies in the Coastal region. That means I have referred many patients to multiple prostate clinical trials and have published extensively on the management of prostate cancer. I believe all patients deserve access to high-quality clinical trials as part of their treatment journey. \n My wife - a child therapist - and I have two teenage sons. I was born in Los Angeles but grew up primarily in Connecticut. North Carolina has been my home since 1997. I like to spend time boating in the summer and try to get away to snow ski as much as I can in the winter. I grew up a competitive alpine ski racer. I am a New York Mets baseball fan - an affliction I have passed on to my wife and kids.

As a little boy, I fell in love with the idea of helping make people feel better. That notion was inspired by our family doctor. When I was in high school, my mother's younger sister - also my Godmother - was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in her late 40s. Her diagnosis led me to a career in oncology. \n Providing excellent healthcare requires a foundation of what I call "the three Cs". They are competence, compassion and communication. Beyond that base, my partners and colleagues in Radiation Oncology on the coast strive to provide superior care through technological advancements and an academic bent that includes clinical research. \n I have been honored as a Fellow of the American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) and won the American Cancer Society (ACS) Silent Angel Award. Our department is Accreditation Program for Excellence (APEx)-certified by the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and was the first radiation oncology practice in the country to win the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Clinical Trials Award. \n I am a founding board member of the New Hanover Community Endowment (NHCE) and sit on the investment committee. \n In addition, I have served as principal investigator of major grants funded by the National Cancer Institute with the goal of improving cancer care for underserved populations in southeastern North Carolina. I have authored many peer-reviewed scientific publications, as well as a book, "When Cancer Hits Home", for patients and families about cancer. \n When not caring for patients or spending time with my family, I enjoy adventure travel and endurance sports. An avid investor, I earned a Master of Science in Finance and Investment Management from UNC Wilmington and am pursuing the chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation.

I chose medicine as a career for two reasons. Both my parents were nurses, and I always enjoyed science in school. \n For six years, I worked as a hospitalist before entering the oncology world. In PA school, I never imagined I would work in oncology because I thought it would be too sad. But during my time as a hospitalist, I spent the most time with my oncology patients and got to know them on a personal level. They taught me some important life lessons including that there are many positive outcomes and lots of reasons to have hope in oncology. \n I treat my patients as I would want to be treated. I often see patients on the worst day of their lives, and I want to make that day better by assuring them they have a whole team behind them. I'm always transparent and communicate in a way they understand. I encourage a family member to be present during my evaluations because two sets of ears are always better than one. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words, so I review patients' scans with them in great detail so they fully understand their disease and our treatment plan. \n I was born and raised in upstate New York, and North Carolina has been home since 2015. I'm married and have a son, plus three stepchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy reading (especially psychological thrillers), going to the beach and out on the boat, live music and following the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Talia McDonough, PA-C is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Wilmington, NC. Talia McDonough, PA-C is affiliated with Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

I have always had a passion for helping at-risk populations - both at the local level and internationally. When my academic interests intersected with my love for helping others, I knew medicine was my calling. Radiation oncology is my specialty. \n At N.C. State University, I was the biological sciences valedictorian of my graduating class. I began working toward my master's degree 10 days after college graduation. \n As an empath - someone who feels more empathy for others than the average person - I have the innate ability to offer compassionate and attentive care to each of my patients and their caregivers. I am driven to provide optimal care and maintain an open line of communication with my patients and their entire care team. \n In my international travels, I have learned a lot about evolving cancer care - and I want to continue to learn. As a member of LiveLung support group's coastal chapter, I've assisted with grant writing to help support lung cancer patients in the Wilmington area. \n My biggest passion is family and friends. My husband and I have two beautiful children who are destined to be college football fanatics. If we are not at a Clemson or N.C. State tailgate in the fall, you can find us on the intracoastal waterway or at the beach with extended family. Other times, you may find me training for the next race I can find. I rarely find time to sit still, but if I do, it may be in the Caribbean for some quality R&R.