Biliary Tract Cancer near Matthews, NC

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: I see adult patients with blood disorders and cancers of all types. My approach to healthcare is to treat each person as I would members of my own family. I strongly believe involving patients in decisions about treatment and coordinating care with other physicians yields the best results. \n I have always loved to help people, and oncology gives me a unique opportunity to do that in a way that is rewarding to me. I get to know patients and care for them during a challenging time in their lives. \n Helping cancer patients requires a team effort, and I am grateful to be working alongside such a wonderful team of doctors and nurses. \n In 2012, I moved to Charlotte. I enjoy spending my spare time with my husband Kam and son Cyrus. We travel together, explore new restaurants, play board games, swim and spend time with extended family. I also love to read and play badminton with Cyrus.

Biography: I see adult patients with blood disorders and cancers of all types. My areas of focus include cancers of the lung, head and neck, as well as tumors of the central nervous system. \n I am committed to helping patients and their families make the best possible treatment decisions. As part of a comprehensive medical team, I work in tandem with my patients and other healthcare providers to broaden options for care when possible and explore the benefits of hospice and end-of-life decisions when necessary. I am passionate about finding ways to relieve suffering and helping my patients find hope. \n To bring my patients the benefit of new, state-of-the-art treatments, I am actively involved in multidisciplinary tumor board conferences, advisory boards for lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and hospice, as well as clinical research trials through Novant Health. My work with other physicians in the community has led to recognition on the Top Doctors in Charlotte by Charlotte Magazine. \n I have lived in the Matthews area since 2004 and am the proud father of two girls. My hobbies include spending time with my family, traveling, hiking, playing guitar and practicing meditation.

Biography: I am one of only a few Charlotte surgeons whose medical training includes a dual fellowship in hepatobiliary (liver, pancreas and bile duct) surgery and surgical oncology (cancer surgery). This means I focus on care for individuals with liver, pancreas, biliary, stomach, neuroendocrine, sarcomas, ovarian and peritoneal disease. These areas of medicine focus on less common tumors that can have a dramatic impact on a patient's quality of life and well-being. That is why I have dedicated my career to caring for patients who need a specialist with expertise in treating these diseases, and I truly enjoy being of service. \n At Novant Health, I lead more than a dozen physicians in the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary group as well as the hepatobiliary multidisciplinary conference, which promotes best practices for treating patients who have liver, pancreas and bile duct disorders. I also serve on a committee that selects novel therapies to study through Novant Health Cancer Institute clinical trials. All of this, combined with my membership in the American Board of Surgery and the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, keeps me connected to the latest treatments and research. \n I take a patient-centered, hands-on approach when caring for patients. You also will have access to the expertise of a team of other skilled and experienced providers who are well-versed in your medical history and will help manage your treatment. I am committed to developing techniques that help patients recover faster and see better outcomes. This can include minimally invasive laparoscopic and/or robotic surgery, as well as help with food choices, pain control and therapy before, during and after surgery. \n Communication, both to my patients and their loved ones, is important to me. I want my patients to be informed and empowered to make decisions about their care. \n In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. I am married and have two children.

Biography: Dr. Justin Favaro, MD is a Hematology Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 55 years old. Dr. Justin Favaro, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center.

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: Dr. Jason Shultz, MD is an Oncology Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 51 years old. Dr. Jason Shultz, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center.

Biography: I chose medicine, and oncology as an area of specialty, as a way to pursue two passions: studying science and connecting with people. I saw the positive impact this combination can have as a child watching my mother. She spent most of her life taking care of cancer patients as an oncology nurse. \n While I treat patients with a variety of cancers and blood disorders, I have a special interest in cancers affecting organs in the upper section of the gastrointestinal tract, or digestive system, and genitourinary system. As a physician who is board-certified in hematology and medical oncology, I am committed to providing my patients with up-to-date, comprehensive and individualized care. At Novant Health, this means participating in tumor boards, where surgical, medical and radiation oncologists collaboratively review each cancer patient's condition to determine the best treatment plan. \n I was born in the Philippines and then moved to New Jersey, where I spent most of my childhood near the beach. My husband and I moved to Charlotte in 2019 with our newborn daughter. We enjoy the outdoors, particularly hiking and going to the beach, as well as experiencing other cultures through travel. Closer to home, we enjoy discovering new restaurants. Music is also a passion of mine and a large part of our family activities.

Biography: Dr. Nasfat Shehadeh, MD is a Hematology Specialist who practices in Charlotte, NC. He is 57 years old and has been practicing for 28 years. Dr. Nasfat Shehadeh, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center.