BiliaryTractCancer near Pinehurst, NC

Biography: Dr. Gavin Misner, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Salisbury, NC. He is 47 years old and has been practicing for 19 years. Dr. Gavin Misner, MD is affiliated with Novant Charlotte NC.

Biography: As the son of a physician, I was introduced to the medical community early in life, and it gave me an inherent understanding of its demands and rewards. From a young age, I witnessed the dedication, empathy and resilience medicine requires. This fostered a deep respect for the profession and gave me valuable insights into the patient experience. My father set a wonderful example of how to be a good clinician and an excellent person, always treating people with compassion and kindness. \n Before medical school, I worked many years in wilderness leadership, where I had the opportunity to be the primary medical caregiver for my group of students. Wilderness medicine provided invaluable preparation for a surgical career by honing skills that are crucial in high-stakes environments. The unpredictable nature of the wilderness requires quick thinking, resourcefulness and adaptability - qualities that translate seamlessly to the operating room. I also learned to work with limited resources, which necessitated problem-solving and making important decisions under pressure, two other skills I still use daily. Additionally, I learned the importance of triage, emergency management and the ability to handle unforeseen complications with composure. I am grateful for my wilderness medicine experience during every patient encounter. \n Being a surgeon combines my passion for science with an ability to make a tangible, life-changing impact on individuals. The challenge of solving complex medical puzzles and the precision required in the operating room energize me. Each surgery presents a unique opportunity to restore health and improve quality of life for my patients, which is deeply rewarding. I pride myself on focusing not just on the surgical procedure, but also on the overall well-being of my patients, ensuring they receive personalized care tailored to their needs. \n I grew up in Charlotte and attended college and medical school in North Carolina as well. Before attending medical school, though, I took time to explore other parts of the United States as well as other careers. I've worked as a carpenter, teacher, guide and coach. I still love to travel, now with my wife and son. Seeing new places, being outdoors and eating good food are all things that offer me a reprieve from my work and allow me to return to my patients with renewed energy and perspective.

Biography: As a child, I had severe respiratory issues. I was frequently surrounded by doctors while I was in and out of hospitals and medical offices. By the time I was 5 years old, I knew I wanted to be just like them. I wanted to dedicate my life to helping people just as my doctors helped me. \n During medical school, I discovered a passion for caring for patients with cancer and rotated between medical oncology and radiation oncology. Because of the intersection of technology, physics and radiobiology, I found myself particularly drawn to radiation oncology and chose that as my career path. \n My primary passion in medicine is in building relationships with my patients. As the medical director and practicing radiation oncologist, I can do just that. I regularly see patients throughout their treatment, which allows me to know them on a personal level. \n I was the first in my family to attend college, so I know that coming into a healthcare facility can be overwhelming - especially when physicians speak in complex medical terms. I aim to treat my patients as I would want someone treating my own family. I speak in terms we can all understand, work to make everyone feel comfortable and always allow for plenty of time to answer all questions. I care deeply about my patients, and I hope that during their cancer journey, I can provide some sense of peace and comfort. I'm there for them every step of the way. \n I am originally from a small town in West Virginia, but I moved to Virginia for college and medical school. I went to rival schools - Virginia Tech (undergraduate) and the University of Virginia (medical school) - but I will always be a Hokie at heart. \n My true loves in life are my husband, Michael, and my two children, Tanner and Natalie. Outside the office, our family enjoys spending time outdoors, visiting national parks, traveling, exercising and playing with Hokie, our golden retriever, and Mila, our Yorkshire terrier.

Biography: Dr. Volker Stieber, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Winston Salem, NC. He is 58 years old and has been practicing for 31 years. Dr. Volker Stieber, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Medical Park Hospital.

Biography: I knew I wanted to be a physician since I was a small child. I was fascinated by hospitals and the mechanisms of the human body. Then, when I was in college and still in the process of figuring out the path I wanted to take, my father was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Watching him go through that experience and witnessing the care shown by his physicians guided me in the direction of oncology. Today, as a radiation oncologist, I thoroughly enjoy getting to know my patients and guiding them through this difficult time in their life. \n I approach each treatment with a deep sensitivity to the fact that I am meeting my patients at a very vulnerable time in their lives and aim to offer comfort and calm. I hope to provide them with the knowledge to fully understand their illness and their treatment options. Then, I work to guide them toward the best treatment decision for their own well-being. I care deeply about my patient and always want to get to know them first as a person, beyond their illness. With every patient who walks through my door, my goal is to improve the quality of their life and help them return to their normal lives and routines. \n Born and raised in Pittsburgh, I have lived in Winston-Salem since I first arrived in the city for medical school in 1986. I fell in love with the area and knew it was where I wanted to stay and raise a family. My children have been my main focus and joy over the years. Now that they are grown and no longer living at home, my husband and I enjoy focusing on each other. In my free time, I love hiking, traveling and cooking, particularly Italian food. I also enjoy playing with my cairn terrier and going on long walks.

Biography: Dr. Jeffrey Walls, MD is a Critical Care Medicine Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 58 years old and has been practicing for 32 years. Dr. Jeffrey Walls, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center.

Biography: Dr. James Smith, MD is a Critical Care Medicine Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 55 years old. Dr. James Smith, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Medical Park Hospital.

Biography: In the decade-plus that W. Scott Berger, MD, has been part of the medical field, he has built a very successful general surgery practice. He loves the variety of cases that general surgery provides but also likes the chance to delve deeper into certain types of surgeries. The areas Dr. Berger enjoys most are thyroid, parathyroid and gastric surgeries. Dr. Berger is dedicated to helping his patients find relief from disorders and discomforts so they can get back to a more enjoyable, active lifestyle. Outside of work, Dr. Berger enjoys staying active with his family. He plays soccer and coaches his children in soccer, baseball and softball.

Biography: Dr. John Konefal, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 67 years old and has been practicing for 41 years. Dr. John Konefal, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.

Biography: Dr. Robert McCammon, MD is a Radiation Oncology Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 50 years old and has been practicing for 22 years. Dr. Robert McCammon, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.

Biography: My interest in treating cancers of the breast, urinary tract and genitals developed during my medical training and continues in my work at Novant Health. Staying on the leading edge of cancer care is important to me. This is one reason that I am a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists and the lead physician for Charlotte GU (Genitourinary) Tumor Council. Clinical research is also a way that I can learn and provide treatment options that typically would be unavailable. To support those efforts, I often serve as the principal investigator for Novant Health clinical trials. \n A cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Patients and families not only have the physical challenges, but they also must learn an entirely new language of medical terms. My goal is to communicate with patients and family members in ways that are easy to understand. And I take time to explain the reasoning behind my suggested treatment plan because knowledge is power. \n A cancer diagnosis often leaves the patient and family feeling unsettled because so much is unknown. That's why I do everything I can to put patients at ease. I enjoy the relationships I build with my patients and their families and can't see myself doing a different type of work. \n I am from the Midwest, where most of my immediate family still lives. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my dog, Julio, running, entering races and traveling.