SquamousCellCarcinomaofSkin near Blacksburg, VA

Biography: Dr. Hopkins' clinical interests include the treatment of breast cancer, breast cancer prevention, genetics, survivorship and the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. She has served as chairwoman of the SCOR Cancer Care Delivery Research, as a member of the NCI Breast Oncology Local Disease (BOLD) task force and was a member of the NCI symptom management/quality of life steering committee. She serves on multiple committees dedicated to cancer research, symptom management and elderly populations. Dr. Hopkins has a passion for skiing and hiking and owns a 110-acre farm in Blacksburg, South Carolina with her husband, son and daughter-in-law. She is also an avid reader of historical fiction.

Biography: I am a hematology/oncology specialist and the physician lead for the transplant and cellular therapy department for Novant Health Cancer Institute. \n No two cancers are the same because no two patients are the same. Each patient comes with a different set of life experiences and ideas, which makes treating cancer unique to each individual patient. And this is why I was drawn to the field of oncology; it allows me an opportunity to improve a person's life during what might be the most difficult time of their life. \n To properly treat the whole person and not just the disease, you need to engage in active conversation with the patient throughout the treatment process. This is why I approach medicine and oncology from the position of a partnership between me and the patient. Very rarely in oncology do we find ourselves with decisions where the right answer is in black and white. \n I am a member of the American Society of Hematology, as well as the American Society for Transplant and Cellular therapy. My membership in these organizations keep me up to date on the latest research and treatment options in the field. I'm also actively engaged in clinical research focused on acute leukemia, with the goal of finding new, targeted therapies that improve disease control and survival while limiting side effects and maintaining a good quality of life through treatment. \n When I am not seeing patients, I enjoy time with my wife and three daughters. I am an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys skiing, SCUBA diving, kite surfing and long-distance running. I am passionate about the shared human experience and love meeting new people and exploring new ideas and places.

Biography: I am a hematologist and oncologist at Novant Health, who has been fascinated with science since childhood. Like most kids, I was curious about the unknown, trying to understand the universe and its mysteries and why we get sick or age. I never expected to fall in love with hematology and oncology. \n Oncology is a challenging field that is also immensely rewarding. Significant progress in the field has given us a lot more tools and avenues to treat patients and this is unbelievably encouraging. \n I enjoy getting to know my patients beyond just their diagnosis - what are their experiences, values and perspectives - and how can I use that information so together, we can develop a care plan that is unique to them. It is about empowering my patients to make the best treatment decisions. \n At the end of the day, I continue to be amazed by the grace and courage that I see in my patients. \n When I am not in the clinic, I enjoy hiking and walking at local parks, traveling, reading historical books and autobiographies, and visiting family.