BiliaryTractCancer near Christiansburg, VA

Biography: I have helped thousands of cancer patients since 1998, when I completed a fellowship in medical oncology. My training enables me to diagnose multiple types of cancer and devise non-surgical treatment plans, including chemotherapy, to help patients. \n I was inspired to do this work at a young age by the loss of my mother to lymphoma. That experience helps me relate to patients dealing with more aggressive forms of cancer and provide the kind of compassionate and expert care all of us should expect. \n In 2020, we brought an unprecedented level of cancer care to Rowan County with the opening of Novant Health Wallace Cancer Institute in Salisbury. The institute offers advanced radiotherapy technology, genetic counseling, private chemotherapy suites and access to an oncology dietitian, nurse navigators, and social services all under one roof. And, it provides local access to clinical trials of advanced cancer treatments. \n I am honored to have helped bring such a comprehensive level of care to my community and value every day I have with my patients. \n My wife Trish and I are raising two daughters, Brianna and Marissa. We enjoy travelling, good food, thoroughbred horse racing and watching University of North Carolina sports. I also have a personal passion for medical mission trips.

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: For me, there is no field more exciting than oncology. The medical challenges are vast, but it is the unique relationship with the patients and their families which really drew me in. \n I also enjoy being part of a team, which is why I serve on the Novant Health Breast Cancer Tumor Council. This group brings together physicians from multiple specialties every week, to combine their expertise in the fight against breast cancer. My membership in the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Board of Internal Medicine also help me keep up with the ever-changing landscape of cancer care. \n I'm passionate about patient education and conversation. I try every day to do my best at explaining the complexities of cancer medicine in a way that makes sense to my patients. Every patient deserves to be presented with all the information available, in a way that is understandable, so that they can make the best decisions for their own care. \n For me, caring for patients at one of the more difficult times in their lives is personally fulfilling. The opportunity to see our cancer survivors in follow-up, living their best lives, often many years after their cancer diagnosis, is uniquely rewarding. \n A native of New England, I moved to the Winston-Salem area with my daughter in 2020, from Massachusetts. I previously served 14 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy. I am proud of my military service and training and feel that this experience helped to shape me into the provider I have become. My experiences in other parts of the world, including volunteer work as a physician in Honduras, have made me very grateful for the excellent cancer care available in the U.S., and have made me determined to contribute to this excellence as best I am able.