With almost two decades of experience as a progressive leader in healthcare, I’m a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Organized, self-directed, and forward-thinking, my inspiration comes from having the opportunity to change the lives of patients with cancer through clinical investigation.

Champion of Value-Based Cancer Care

I believe that everyone deserves access to value-based healthcare that puts the patient at the center of all decisions. As a Physician Executive, I’ve leveraged my specialized skills in healthcare strategy, clinical operations, finance, and artificial intelligence to establish oncology service lines at two academic medical centers to deliver value for patients, the healthcare system, and the community.

Translational Oncology Investigator

When I treat people, I always take a compassionate and kind approach that considers the most important outcomes to my patients. My fields of clinical expertise, including surgical oncology and developmental oncoimmunotherapeutics, open up doors for patients seeking access to progressive new treatments. My research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. I have also been recognized in Best Doctors in America. I have published over 100 manuscripts in prestigious medical journals, including the Annals of Surgical Oncology, Cancer, Annals of Surgery, Transplantation, and Cancer Gene Therapy.

A Leader in Academic Medicine

Before my current role as the Deputy Director of the University of Illinois Cancer Center, I served as the Chief of Surgery at the Durham VAMC, Vice-Chair in the Wake Forest School of Medicine Department of Surgery, and Associate Dean for Clinical Research and Innovation at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

I am a strong advocate of diversity, equity, and inclusion in medicine. I take great pride in having received teaching and mentorship awards for my work with underrepresented students in medicine. This work has continued as I led the American Board of Surgery’s first retreat on structural racism in surgery and continues in my current role as a board director.   

A Servant Leader for the Community 

I have provided leadership in my community through service on the SciWorks Science Museum Board of Directors, Forsyth Country Day School Board of Directors, and Forsyth County Hospice.  I have also served on the American Board of Surgery Board of Directors, the AmunBio Scientific Advisory Board, and the Howard University Medical Alumni Association Board of Directors.

I’m a respected connector of people, a strong team leader, and an organizer. I welcome challenges and the opportunity to improve the lives of others.