SquamousCellCarcinomaofSkin near Huntersville, NC

Care Philosophy: “We are committed to delivering the best care and an exceptional patient experience. We are devoted to providing services that are patient-centered and compassionate, and care for you as a person.”

Biography: I entered medicine to help people and found a calling in oncology, a field that allows me to combine the most current medical knowledge with compassionate humanistic care on a daily basis. \n I am a general hematologist-oncologist who treats a wide range of blood and cancer conditions. My clinical interest is in treating GI cancer and breast cancer. \n I believe that, regardless of how common or rare the diagnosis, each patient deserves personalized care. To me, the key to good patient care is to listen and pay attention to the small details. I pride myself on striving to provide the most thorough and attentive care to each person under my care, at each visit and at every juncture. \n My husband, daughter and I are originally from the Philadelphia area. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, nature photography and spending time with my loved ones.

Biography: Dr. Kuykendal has spent many years in North Carolina but has called Charlotte home since 2013. He believes in bringing the latest evidence-based medicine to his patients and working with them to make the best treatment decisions. During his career he has worked in basic science, clinical trials and patient outcomes research to advance the oncology field for current and future patients. He treats patients with a variety of cancers and blood diseases but has a special focus on cancers of the GI tract including colon, rectum, pancreas and liver cancer as well as prostate, kidney and testicular cancer. He has three children who keep him quite busy, and during his free time enjoys sporting events, theater and trying new restaurants.

Biography: Medicine, and oncology specifically, have been a calling for me from a young age. My family has no medical professionals, yet I knew from childhood that a career in medicine was in my future. I have always had a particular interest in the science of oncology and the incredible advancements in cancer treatments that have occurred in the last century. Today, I am a hematology and oncology specialist focusing on the treatment and management of breast and lung cancers. \n My colleagues and I believe in a team approach to care. That is why I serve on thoracic and breast tumor site councils and the committee for cancer at Novant Health. This is an opportunity for us to come together with our colleagues to discuss cases, explore treatment options and develop care plans for our patients as a team. \n What I love most about oncology is the relationships I develop with my patients and their families. Cancer can often be a long journey, and I consider it an honor to help patients navigate through these challenging times and beyond. \n I am originally from Columbia, South Carolina, and did most of my training in my home state at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. After completing my medical training, my husband and I relocated to Charlotte to be close to family. I am happily married to my husband, and we have two boys who are the light of our lives. In my personal time, I enjoy exploring nature with my children, traveling and reading, as well as daily exercise.

Biography: I knew I wanted to go into healthcare as a young child. I got involved in medicine in high school. In college, I worked as a nursing assistant to gain more experience in the healthcare field. It was in medical school that I developed a passion for obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) and, beyond that, chose to specialize in gynecological cancer. \n Every day that I care for patients, I continue to learn. I am a member of various gynecologic associations and serve on the community board for Lydia's Legacy, an organization that supports education, awareness and research funding for gynecologic cancers. \n I look at and treat each patient as if she were a member of my family. That is the reason I strive to introduce a level of humanism and warmth to each visit and help put my patients' minds at ease. But above all else, I put honesty first. In my field, I do not always have good news to discuss with my patients. Honesty and compassion can help a patient and her family formulate realistic expectations, which is extremely important during the course of care. \n My husband and I live in Charlotte with our two girls and dogs, Paco and Maui. We absolutely love being outdoors, enjoy spending time by the pool, spending time in the mountains, and taking trips to the beautiful Carolina beaches with our family.

Care Philosophy: Dr. Bertsch is a board-certified surgery who values a personalized, integrative approach to surgery as well as collaboration with the patient's full health care team.