I am a medical oncologist who focuses on bone and soft tissue cancers called sarcomas. I love spending time with my patients. They often have a sense of awareness about their condition that’s truly unique and rewarding. I partner with each patient so they know the full set of options available for treatment and can make an informed decision about the approach that is best for them. I’ve wanted to pursue medicine for as long as I can remember. I find cancer fascinating because of its ability to evade the immune system. The body fails to recognize cancer as being foreign. When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family and enjoy long distance running. Dr. Riedel is highly rated in 30 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, Desmoid Tumor, and Angiosarcoma.

I first recognized my passion for taking care of cancer patients during my internal medicine residency in the 1990s. At that time, new treatments were emerging and our understanding of this terrible and complicated disease was beginning to accelerate. I remember waking up each morning with new energy to get into the hospital to take care of my patients. Oncology embodied all of the reasons why I went into medicine; the compassion, the emotional connections, the incorporation of not just medicine, but psychological, emotional, and spiritual care. I enjoy getting to know my patients. I share in their joys and their challenges, and many almost become an extension of my family. In my time away from my patients, I enjoy spending time with my wife, four children and two dogs as well as oil painting, running, and cooking. Dr. Smith is highly rated in 28 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Paget Disease of the Breast.

David Rizzieri is an Oncologist in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Rizzieri is highly rated in 26 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Graft. Dr. Rizzieri is currently accepting new patients.

Surgery and management of patients with cancer is very complex and challenging. I enjoy working at Duke because of the breadth and quality of people we have here. I really feel like I’m working with the best when I’m working with my colleagues. I went into obstetrics and gynecology, because I enjoyed working with women patients. Then as a resident, I found that oncology patients were among the most gratifying to take care of because they appreciate so much everything you try to do for them. In high school and college, I was very interested in science and mathematics, and the human body and physiology. In college, meeting different types of people, I realized that I wanted a profession that gave me the opportunity to interact with all different kinds of people. My wife and I moved here 25 years ago and have never regretted it. It’s a great area to live. Dr. Berchuck is highly rated in 22 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Tubal Ligation, and Oophorectomy.

I am a gynecologic oncologist at Duke. I see women who have ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and vulvar cancer. I also see women with precancerous conditions of the gynecologic organs, which includes cervical dysplasia, vaginal dysplasia, and masses of the ovary that may or may not be cancer. I am fairly direct and let people know what they are dealing with up front. On the other hand, I try to keep everything positive. At this point in my career, I’ve had a lot of experience and will let patients know that while there’s a full range of outcomes that could happen, I have seen a lot of positive examples based on their condition. If I had cancer or a family member of mine had cancer, I would absolutely want them to come to Duke. It’s not just the standard treatments that we offer here, but also the attention to detail and access to world-class clinical trials. Dr. Havrilesky is highly rated in 22 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor, Hysterectomy, and Oophorectomy.

Glenn Lesser is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Lesser is highly rated in 20 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Brain Tumor, Glioblastoma, Astrocytoma, Glioma, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Lesser is currently accepting new patients.

I decided to go to medical school during the early part of college and then never really looked back. I enjoyed every discipline while I was in medical school and had a difficult time selecting a specialty, until I did a rotation in Hematology/Oncology. After observing the relationships that oncologists develop with patients and their families, I knew that medical oncology was the right place for me. Getting to know my patients and their families and helping them achieve their goals, despite a cancer diagnosis, has become extremely important to me. I also enjoy working as part of a multidisciplinary team to make sure that patients get the most comprehensive care possible. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family, reading, and running. Dr. Uronis is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Stomach Cancer, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

My practice and research focuses on patients who have female-specific cancers, such as ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vulvar or vaginal cancer. I offer my patients access to variety of treatments, ranging from surgery to chemotherapy and radiation. My dad was a physician, and my mom was a nurse, so I was exposed to health care at an early age. I enjoy my work on female cancers, because it is one of the few subspecialties to blend surgery and chemotherapy. It also gives me the chance to develop strong relationships with my patients, since I get to take care of my patients before and during their surgery, as well as continue to see them for the rest of their lifetime. I’ve found those patients, who have been able to face their diagnosis with unwavering optimism, to be incredibly inspiring. I have three children, so outside of work I spend as much time as I can with my family. Dr. Alvarez-Secord is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Ovarian Carcinosarcoma, Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor, and Hysterectomy.

I specialize in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers with a focus on clinical trials. Clinical trial patients can come to me at any point during their disease, but they usually come to me looking for an alternative therapy once standard treatments have not been effective. I decided to become a doctor later in my career. I originally graduated from university with a non-science degree, but the excitement of advancing medical breakthroughs inspired me to start a career in medicine. As a Duke physician, I enjoy the diverse experiences that I get to have each week. In addition to taking care of patients and conducting research, I work closely with other doctors on crafting treatment plans. I also find it fulfilling to be able to apply my research to patient care. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, jogging and skiing. Dr. Strickler is highly rated in 15 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Colorectal Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Ampullary Cancer, and Familial Colorectal Cancer.

I specialize in treating people with genitourinary (GU) cancers, such as bladder, prostate, testicular and kidney cancer. I don’t treat other types of cancer across the breadth of tumors like some oncologists in the community may, such as blood cancer, breast cancer or lung cancer. My focus has allowed me to gain deep expertise in GU cancers and to stay abreast of the newest treatment advances, clinical research and so on for those specific GU cancers. As a medical oncologist, I meet patients at one of the scariest moments of their lives. I try to help educate them to make a decision about their disease and its process, and what their treatment options may be, so we can come to a shared decision about what might be the best option. The teaching aspect really strikes home for me. Both of my parents are teachers. The root word for “doctor” in Latin means “to teach.” So that is something I’m both naturally called to do and enjoy doing. Dr. Harrison is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC), Prostate Cancer, Familial Prostate Cancer, Clear Cell Sarcoma, and Prostatectomy.

I am a part of the thoracic oncology program. I work with patients who have cancers of the lung, which includes non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, and mesothelioma. My focus is on clinical care, clinical trials, and developing new therapies for these diseases. When I first meet with a patient, I want them to understand what their diagnosis is, because there are actually multiple diagnoses of lung cancer and each are treated differently. Then I discuss with a patient whether they are a candidate for therapies such as molecular therapy or immunotherapy, and make sure they have a clear understanding of the treatment plan. There are some very promising new therapies for these diseases and we are fortunate to have those available to patients here at Duke. That’s one of the unique things we offer as an academic medical center. Dr. Stinchcombe is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Lung Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

As a blood cancer specialist and also a palliative care physician, I bring a different focus to cancer care. I’m working hard to improve the treatment experience for patients who are living with blood cancers. By understanding your experience better, we can develop new ways to improve your quality of life, and provide additional support throughout your treatment and beyond. Dr. Leblanc is highly rated in 13 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia without Maturation, Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

Danielle Brander is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Brander is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Chronic B-Cell Leukemia (CBCL), Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL), Leukemia, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Brander is currently accepting new patients.

Gretchen Kimmick is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Burlington, North Carolina. Dr. Kimmick is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Angiosarcoma, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Dr. Kimmick is currently accepting new patients.

Bayard Powell is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Powell is highly rated in 34 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Leukemia, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Powell is currently accepting new patients.

Timothy Pardee is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Pardee is highly rated in 18 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Leukemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia without Maturation, and Bone Marrow Aspiration. Dr. Pardee is currently accepting new patients.

David Ashley is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Ashley is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Glioma, and Gliomatosis Cerebri. Dr. Ashley is currently accepting new patients.

Joshua Zeidner is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Zeidner is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Leukemia, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Marrow Transplant. Dr. Zeidner is currently accepting new patients.

Paul Marcom is a Hematologist Oncology provider in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Marcom is highly rated in 6 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, Breast Cancer in Men, and Angiosarcoma.

I study disorders of the bone marrow and bone marrow failure syndromes. I also see some leukemias and lymphomas and other blood malignancies. Duke offers a very personalized, individualized level of care to each patient. Nobody is the same, so we take the whole patient, we listen to them, and we offer our best recommendations for treatment options. We offer some of the latest treatment options that are available, usually in the setting of a clinical trial. If not, we offer the latest advancement in the field. When I was going through medical school, molecular biology was the new field. Everything was being described as a new cancer-causing gene. And to me that was so appealing – we’re going to figure out what causes cancer and new ways to treat it. That’s what really brought me into the hematology oncology world – things were being discovered that were new and exciting and hopefully would lead to new treatment options. Duke offers an extremely high standard of care. Though we’re not always successful and the disease sometimes wins, our goal is to give the patients the best possible care. Dr. De Castro Iii is highly rated in 45 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), Aplastic Anemia, Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia without Maturation, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

Since studying basic immunology prior to beginning my clinical training, I have been deeply interested in applying immunological perspective for the treatment of cancers including hematologic malignancies. Interestingly emerging immunotherapies showed very promising results in recent years. In my clinic, I treat patients with multiple myeloma which is one type of cancer arising from plasma cells. My research will focus on developing early phase clinical protocols utilizing novel cellular therapy approach and also improving the outcomes of blood and marrow transplantation. My ultimate goal is to provide better treatment options than the current standard approach to patients. Dr. Choi is highly rated in 36 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Multiple Myeloma, Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

What makes Duke Health unique in bone marrow transplants is its holistic approach. We take care of the disease -- which is important, because these are very serious, potentially fatal diseases. But at the same time, we pay attention to patients’ emotional and psychological well-being in addition to their physical well-being. And not only for patients but also the whole family, because the caregivers and other parts of the family need attention as well. I wanted to go into medicine, because it was a great way to interact and take care of patients. In my mind, cancer is one of two diseases within internal medicine where you can actually cure people. The best part of bone marrow transplant is that the time between the laboratory and the patient is short. Patients who need a transplant tend to be relatively sick and in need of new therapies. That’s been very intellectually challenging and fun. Dr. Chao is highly rated in 30 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD), Multiple Myeloma, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Graft.

When someone is faced with a diagnosis of lung cancer, they may be going through surgery, radiation treatment, chemotherapy or enrolling in a clinical trial. It’s a very complicated process to understand what’s involved and what may happen next. It’s also hard to hear all the answers if you’re by yourself. We encourage our patients to come with family members and friends and loved ones and particularly to identify one or two main go-to people in terms of care-giving and support. That way we can engage them in the whole process. Just as we have a team taking care of the patient, the patient has a team, too. At Duke, we have the opportunity to engage patients in the very latest treatment approaches, whether it’s a new surgical technique, the latest radiation approach, or some novel chemotherapy, immunology, or targeted therapy, several of which we’ve been developing. Duke provides patients with a real opportunity that they may not have elsewhere. Dr. Crawford is highly rated in 23 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, Lung Adenocarcinoma, and ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

I have over twenty years of experience as a hematologist-oncologist focusing in hematologic malignancies, leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, and myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes. My patient care philosophy stresses interactive discussions with patients and their families on what to expect from the illness and treatment options, making sure that all their concerns and questions are addressed. Caring for patients with cancer is complex and my care team is dedicated to helping patients with the family, social, emotional, and financial issues, in addition to compassionate medical care. Dr. Kirby is highly rated in 22 conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Multiple Myeloma, Follicular Lymphoma, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

I see patients with blood related cancers, primarily lymphoma. I provide them with comprehensive care from the time they come in for diagnosis until they are cured. Duke is special because I can bring the power of a large medical center with expertise across disciplines together for the care of each patient. One of the nicest parts of my job is the Christmas cards I receive from patients that I’ve treated. For many patients who are doing well, we discharge them from the clinic after five years. The Christmas cards give me the opportunity to see that they are getting on with their lives and to hear about how their families are doing. Outside of work, my wife and I spend a lot of our free time with our two daughters and their children. We like the beach, biking and hiking as a family. Dr. Diehl is highly rated in 17 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), B-Cell Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.