Biliary Tract Cancer near Kernersville, NC

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 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.

Care Philosophy: It is my goal to helping patients achieve the best quality of life. My definition of health extends far beyond the absence of disease with a focus on helping patients breathe easier and live better.

Biography: Dr. Lori Kellam, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Kernersville, NC. She is 64 years old and has been practicing for 34 years. Dr. Lori Kellam, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Medical Park Hospital.

Biography: Dr. Masud Hashmi, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Kernersville, NC. He is 76 years old and has been practicing for 54 years. Dr. Masud Hashmi, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center.

Biography: Jennifer Christman, MD, offers surgery along with nonsurgical treatments to her patients. She is passionate about providing remarkable care to all her patients and helping them get back to living a healthy, active life.

Biography: Even in my early teens, I knew I wanted to be a physician. I was fascinated by anatomy, loved science and was precise at dissection. Surgery was definitely my calling. \n Being the child of first-generation immigrants meant several messages were ingrained in my siblings and me. Our parents expected us to work hard, finish what we started, push to succeed and never complain. \n I had a wonderful mentor during my residency who shared with me his surgical mantra: "Treat every patient like they are your mother." I took it to heart and adopted it as my mantra, too. I believe this wholeheartedly and continue to operate with this thought in mind. \n When it comes to robotic surgery, I was an early adopter. I have performed more than 1,500 robotic procedures. I even test other surgeons on their robotics skills once they have completed training. In my role as a robotic proctor, I travel the country and evaluate and "sign off" on surgeons who have completed robotics training. \n I have founded two bariatric centers and built them into established Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence (BSCOE). The BSCOE designation helps patients identify surgeons who provide the safest and most effective treatments. The robotic center in High Point I founded was awarded the first robotic epicenter in North Carolina by the Intuitive Surgical group in 2019. \n I'm a member of the American Board of Surgery and SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons) and am a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. \n My hobbies include coaching and helping with my kids' travel sports, playing golf and tennis, cooking, painting and woodworking. I most enjoy traveling - and just hanging out - with my wife.

Biography: Dr. Anastasia Tsagianni, MD is a Hematology Specialist who practices in Kernersville, NC. She is 34 years old. Dr. Anastasia Tsagianni, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Kernersville Medical Center.

Biography: My father was a physician and my mother was a nurse, so, growing up as a kid, I always imagined that I too, would find a career in medicine. Ultimately, I chose to become a gynecologic oncologist because I was attracted to the complexity of the medicine that was mixed with advanced surgical care for women diagnosed with cancers of the reproductive tract. \n More importantly, though, I chose to become a gynecologic oncologist because of the women battling these cancers, and the unique relationship that I would be able to develop with them and their families during their cancer journey. In caring for women diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, I believe it is important to engage them in the discussion of how best to direct their care. In doing so, my goal is to provide them with all available treatment options and access to state of the art surgical and oncologic care. \n In this unique role as a GYN oncologist, I am able to work closely with the patient and her family as she battles her cancer. In doing so, I have the opportunity to guide patients and their families through the ups and downs this battle, a privilege which I believe is critical to both positive outcomes for them as well as personal fulfillment for me. \n Women diagnosed with cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva and other reproductive organs want to know whether - and how - their lives might change during and after treatment. Some want to know if cancer will affect their fertility. Others want to know how treatments will affect their sex life or ability to participate in favorite activities. My goal is to guide them toward making decisions that work best for them given their type of gynecologic cancer and their personal priorities. \n To fulfill this goal, I work with a team of fellow oncologists specializing in surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapies to keep up with the latest advances in the fight against gynecologic cancers. I also work with physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists and social workers, who specialize in helping women with gynecologic cancers. \n I am a member of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, which promotes excellence in the care of women who are either at risk for or affected by such cancers through advocacy, education, research and collaboration. To support those efforts, I founded Athenas Run for Gyn Cancers in 2010. In its first decade, the event raised $500,000 for research, education, and outreach efforts in the Piedmont Triad Region. Weve helped pay for a cancer survivors symposium, an outreach program for minority women and a lecture series. \n I am also extremely interested in trying to decrease the disparities in medical care that exist in developing countries. I have had the opportunity to provide surgical/medical care and training on women's health issues to providers in Tanzania and the Dominican Republican. A native of Asheville, NC, in my spare time, I like to run, hike, and together, with my husband Jeffrey, watch our three kids pursue their passions, which often times means lots of soccer games and gymnastic meets!

Biography: Dr. Daniel Feinstein, MD is a Critical Care Medicine Specialist who practices in Kernersville, NC. He is 54 years old. Dr. Daniel Feinstein, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center.

Biography: Dr. Joshua Rickey is a board-certified general surgeon with Novant Health Salem Surgical Associates. "Josh," as he often tells his patients to call him, has been a member of Salem Surgical for six years. Originally from the coast of South Carolina, Josh completed his undergraduate studies at Clemson University in Biochemistry. He then went on to attend medical school at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina. After completing medical school in 2010, he continued into general surgery residency at MUSC. During his time at MUSC, he was known for his teaching of medical students and residents, having earned multiple teaching awards and being recognized as the Max S. Rittenbury Intern of the Year. Driven by an interest in the field of metabolic and bariatric surgery, as well as the application of new technologies, Josh then completed a bariatric and minimally invasive surgery fellowship at then Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. He says that the possibility of helping people with surgery for a disease that can be a lifelong struggle has always intrigued him. After completion of his fellowship in Charlotte, Josh joined his family in Winston-Salem, going on to complete an additional year of training in the Transition to Practice Fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist Health. \n Josh elected to stay in Winston-Salem as he felt it reminded him of his hometown with a close-knit group of people, offering a small town feel in a big city. Here they have grown to love the community and surroundings. Since joining Salem Surgical, he has been excited to offer new technologies and techniques to address the medical issues of his patients from Winston-Salem and surrounding areas. A supporter of the application of the robot in surgery, Josh has been able to help multiple patients with complex problems recover faster and with less pain as they return to their lifestyles. He feels it is important to help people get back to "normal" as quickly as they can and feels that use of the robot will allow patients that opportunity. \n His approach to medicine may be a little different, as he feels it is important to partner with the patient. Josh likes to maintain a personal relationship with the patient and work with them actively to be involved with their care and decision making. He strives to help patients understand the issues and the choices, personalizing the plan for each patient. His belief is, "education and understanding are key to good outcomes." \n Josh has been excited by bariatrics since his training and has been actively seeking to help provide that service to the people of Winston-Salem and the surrounding areas. Helping patients achieve goals they thought were not possible has always driven Josh. When approached about helping Novant Health start bariatrics at Clemmons, Josh was happy to finally be able to help provide additional services to the population. His care and planning show as he describes helping patients navigate the process of approval, evaluation and preparing for surgery. "We at Salem Surgical want to provide a seamless and smooth process for patients," Josh said. "We want them to have a pleasant experience navigating what can be a confusing situation and most importantly, we want them to know we are here for them." He is excited about being able to apply the robot to patients undergoing weight loss surgery as a method to help improve recovery and outcomes. \n When not at work, Josh spends time with his family (wife Ashley and two children). With his office littered with tiger paws and orange, it's obvious he is an ardent Clemson University fan. At any given time, you are likely to see him in some form of orange or purple, whether at the office or simply out and about. Don't be surprised during fall Fridays to catch him wearing orange (a custom in Clemson). As people around the office have heard him say, "On Fridays we wear orange." In the fall, he and his family enjoy attending football games and cheering the Tigers on to victory. Other times, he and his family enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, playing sports together, riding bikes or just spending time together.

Biography: Dr. Donald Brescia, MD is a Critical Care Medicine Specialist who practices in Kernersville, NC. He is 55 years old and has been practicing for 25 years. Dr. Donald Brescia, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center.

Care Philosophy: My approach to medicine is first and foremost as patient advocate and educator. I feel that our most important role as physicians is to educate the public about their health. I apply this in both the clinic and the intensive care unit. I may not always

Biography: Dr. Wesam Yacoub, MD is a Pulmonology Specialist who practices in Kernersville, NC. He is 48 years old and has been practicing for 23 years. Dr. Wesam Yacoub, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Ballantyne Medical Center.