Coagulation Disorders near Winston Salem, NC

Care Philosophy: It s my privilege to be a hematologist and oncologist nbsp;This area of medicine nbsp;provides the opportunity to work with people that are very special both the caregivers and the patients nbsp;When I see a patient I try not only to focus on the

Biography: I am a hematologist and oncologist at Novant Health, who has been fascinated with science since childhood. Like most kids, I was curious about the unknown, trying to understand the universe and its mysteries and why we get sick or age. I never expected to fall in love with hematology and oncology. \n Oncology is a challenging field that is also immensely rewarding. Significant progress in the field has given us a lot more tools and avenues to treat patients and this is unbelievably encouraging. \n I enjoy getting to know my patients beyond just their diagnosis - what are their experiences, values and perspectives - and how can I use that information so together, we can develop a care plan that is unique to them. It is about empowering my patients to make the best treatment decisions. \n At the end of the day, I continue to be amazed by the grace and courage that I see in my patients. \n When I am not in the clinic, I enjoy hiking and walking at local parks, traveling, reading historical books and autobiographies, and visiting family.

Biography: 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.

Biography: 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.

Biography: I am a hematology/oncology specialist and the physician lead for the transplant and cellular therapy department for Novant Health Cancer Institute. \n No two cancers are the same because no two patients are the same. Each patient comes with a different set of life experiences and ideas, which makes treating cancer unique to each individual patient. And this is why I was drawn to the field of oncology; it allows me an opportunity to improve a person's life during what might be the most difficult time of their life. \n To properly treat the whole person and not just the disease, you need to engage in active conversation with the patient throughout the treatment process. This is why I approach medicine and oncology from the position of a partnership between me and the patient. Very rarely in oncology do we find ourselves with decisions where the right answer is in black and white. \n I am a member of the American Society of Hematology, as well as the American Society for Transplant and Cellular therapy. My membership in these organizations keep me up to date on the latest research and treatment options in the field. I'm also actively engaged in clinical research focused on acute leukemia, with the goal of finding new, targeted therapies that improve disease control and survival while limiting side effects and maintaining a good quality of life through treatment. \n When I am not seeing patients, I enjoy time with my wife and three daughters. I am an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys skiing, SCUBA diving, kite surfing and long-distance running. I am passionate about the shared human experience and love meeting new people and exploring new ideas and places.

Biography: Dr. Collins' interest in oncology grew as he was involved in research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While studying the effects of various compounds on cancer cell growth, he recognized the opportunities for discovery and possibilities in the field of oncology. He has seen novel therapies save the lives of many cancer patients since his early years in research and schooling. Dr. Collins treats patients for genitourinary cancer, which includes malignancies in the prostate, bladder and kidneys. He grew up in Long Island, New York and moved to North Carolina more than 20 years ago. He lives in Winston-Salem with his wife and three daughters. In his free time, he runs, plays tennis and sharpens his skills in photography.

Biography: 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.

Biography: Dr. Chen is passionate about cancer research. He is a principal investigator of multiple clinical research trials at Novant Health Oncology Specialists. His special interests are immunotherapy and targeted therapies. His findings have been published in several oncology journals and part of presentations for national oncology meetings. Dr. Chen is an assistant professor at the Campbell School of Medicine and has a special interest in treating hematologic malignancies, benign hematologic disorders and gastrointestinal cancers. Originally, from New York City, he lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Beth, and children Niko, Christopher and Anna Elizabeth. He attends Hope Presbyterian Church and enjoys playing the violin and jazz guitar.

Biography: I am a hematologist and a retired professor emeritus specializing in treating multiple myeloma. I am an active member of the International Myeloma Society, American Society of Transplantation and Cell Therapies, and American Society of Hematology. I grew up knowing I want to be a physician; I was encouraged by my mother and became the first physician in my family. I was drawn to hematology as a specialty when I did a hematology rotation during my internship. \n As an academic, I have many publications that I hope will have a lasting impact, especially in treating multiple myeloma. \n When treating patients, I go beyond just their hematologic abnormality and ask about other medical problems and physical and psychological health. I believe there is a greater success rate in treating hematologic concerns when considering a person's entire wellbeing. I value partnering with my patients to make the best treatment decisions while including education and respect. \n I pride myself on keeping up to date with new medication and treatment options to offer the best care. I love working for Novant Health and delivering patient-centered care with our physician group. \n Outside of medicine, I enjoy being close to my children and grandchildren. I enjoy playing ukulele, guitar and making things with wood, including toys and furniture. I like hiking in the mountains and playing soccer.

Biography: Dr. Jacks attributes her decision to work in oncology to her mentors in basic science labs and clinical units. They introduced her to promising advances in oncology research and deepened her appreciation for the oncologist-patient relationship. She has a clinical focus in head, neck and thoracic cancers, including lung and esophageal diseases. Dr. Jacks believes the best way to fight these and other forms of cancer is through prevention. She helps patients choose a healthy lifestyle that decreases cancer risks. Dr. Jacks is a Charleston native and is happy to be back in the Carolinas with her husband, Sam Jacks, a cardiothoracic surgeon, and their son, George. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, cooking and traveling.

Biography: Dr. Andrew Dothard, MD is a Hematology Specialist who practices in Winston Salem, NC. He is 38 years old and has been practicing for 10 years. Dr. Andrew Dothard, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center.