MUSC Health Surgical Oncology at Hollings Cancer Center
86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Hollings Cancer Center, 3rd Floor,Charleston, SC 29425
Meet our staff
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Bill Hawkins, MD, FACS
Surgical Oncology, Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Sarcoma Cancer, Biliary Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Liver Cancer, Pancreatic CancerAbout
William G. Hawkins, M.D. is a surgical oncologist with 20 years of experience treating patients with some of the most challenging abdominal cancers. His clinical practice focuses on surgery for abdominal cancers, including pancreas cancer, liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, and sarcoma. Dr. Hawkins also cares for patients with complex benign abdominal cases, such as those in need of surgical intervention for bile duct injuries.
With a longstanding commitment to leadership, patient care, education and research, Dr. Hawkins has spent 20 years at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and its Siteman Cancer Center, where he obtained and directed a prestigious Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant to conduct multiple projects investigating pancreatic cancer. While there, he served as the chief of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery.
In his administrative leadership role, Dr. Hawkins is the deputy director of the Hollings Cancer Center, where he focuses on strengthening translational research, increasing clinical trials across South Carolina, and assisting Jason Newman, M.D., FACS, chief of the Oncology Integrated Center of Clinical Excellence, with making clinical operations more efficient. He also serves as the Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the MUSC Department of Surgery.
Dr. Hawkins completed fellowships in surgical oncology and research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; served as chief during his surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; and received both his medical and bachelor's degrees at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
With a longstanding commitment to leadership, patient care, education and research, Dr. Hawkins has spent 20 years at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and its Siteman Cancer Center, where he obtained and directed a prestigious Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant to conduct multiple projects investigating pancreatic cancer. While there, he served as the chief of Hepatobiliary Pancreatic and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery.
In his administrative leadership role, Dr. Hawkins is the deputy director of the Hollings Cancer Center, where he focuses on strengthening translational research, increasing clinical trials across South Carolina, and assisting Jason Newman, M.D., FACS, chief of the Oncology Integrated Center of Clinical Excellence, with making clinical operations more efficient. He also serves as the Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs in the MUSC Department of Surgery.
Dr. Hawkins completed fellowships in surgical oncology and research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; served as chief during his surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; and received both his medical and bachelor's degrees at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
New Patient Visits
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Andrea Abbott, MD, MSCR
Sarcoma Cancer, Breast Cancer, Melanoma & Skin Cancer, Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery, Surgical Oncology, Breast SurgeryAbout
Dr. Andrea M. Abbott is a board-certified surgical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma. Her clinical interests are breast cancer, breast cancer during pregnancy, Hidden Scar surgery, skin and nipple-sparing mastectomy, breast conserving surgery, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, minimally invasive lymph node dissection, retroperitoneal sarcoma, and extremity soft tissue tumors. Dr. Abbott obtained her medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and completed her general surgery residency at the University of Minnesota. She also obtained a Master's degree in clinical research during her residency from the University of Minnesota. She completed her surgical oncology fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida.In addition to her surgical practice, Dr. Abbott is involved in clinical research and evaluating ways to improve information delivery to patients in order to enhance the patient-physician relationship and decision-making process. She is also working on ways to reduce opioid addiction after cancer surgery. She is Hidden Scar certified and uses this approach to improve cosmetic outcomes after breast cancer surgery without compromising cancer care. She is committed to finding a way for each patient to receive the best possible cancer care while honoring each patient's individual wishes and goals for his or her care.
New Patient Visits
Alisa Blumenthaler, MD
Breast Cancer, Surgical Oncology, Breast SurgeryAbout
Dr. Alisa Blumenthaler is a breast surgical oncologist and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. Her clinical interests focus on providing up-to-date, comprehensive and multi-disciplinary care for patients with breast cancer as well as high-risk and benign breast conditions. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at Medical University of South Carolina.
Dr. Blumenthaler is dedicated to providing compassionate care, specific to each individual patient. She works closely with MUSC's multidisciplinary breast cancer team to incorporate the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment with the goal of achieving the best cancer-related outcomes while minimizing patient side effects. She is passionate about making sure patients feel well-informed about their condition and their treatment options, in order to make a joint decision about their care. When performing a surgery to remove cancer, or another lesion in the breast, Dr. Blumenthaler also focuses on maintaining the breast's natural appearance as much as possible, including hidden-scar techniques, local breast tissue rearrangement, and performing nipple-sparing mastectomies in collaboration with MUSC's reconstructive surgeons.
Dr. Blumenthaler obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating with honors, prior to earning her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her residency training in general surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, during which she dedicated additional time to a clinical research fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Blumenthaler completed specialized training in breast surgical oncology, including breast surgery and breast cancer management, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Blumenthaler is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology. Her research interests include improving patient-physician communication and patient decision-making in breast cancer care.
Dr. Blumenthaler is dedicated to providing compassionate care, specific to each individual patient. She works closely with MUSC's multidisciplinary breast cancer team to incorporate the latest advancements in breast cancer treatment with the goal of achieving the best cancer-related outcomes while minimizing patient side effects. She is passionate about making sure patients feel well-informed about their condition and their treatment options, in order to make a joint decision about their care. When performing a surgery to remove cancer, or another lesion in the breast, Dr. Blumenthaler also focuses on maintaining the breast's natural appearance as much as possible, including hidden-scar techniques, local breast tissue rearrangement, and performing nipple-sparing mastectomies in collaboration with MUSC's reconstructive surgeons.
Dr. Blumenthaler obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, graduating with honors, prior to earning her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She completed her residency training in general surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine, during which she dedicated additional time to a clinical research fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Blumenthaler completed specialized training in breast surgical oncology, including breast surgery and breast cancer management, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Dr. Blumenthaler is a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the Society of Surgical Oncology. Her research interests include improving patient-physician communication and patient decision-making in breast cancer care.
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112 ratings, comments
Bernice Huang, MD
Surgical Oncology, Endocrine CancerAbout
Bernice Huang, M.D. is an endocrine surgeon who collaborates closely with the Hollings Cancer Center, bringing innovative techniques and procedures to endocrine patients in South Carolina. Dr. Huang completed her endocrine surgery fellowship at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and general surgery residency at Columbia University, where she also dedicated a year to clinical research in endocrine surgery.
Dr. Huang has expertise in the posterior retroperitoneoscopic approach for adrenal surgery that accesses the adrenal gland through the back, simplifying the laparoscopic procedure and minimizing postoperative pain. She also has clinical and research interests in the care and surgical management of patients with renal hyperparathyroidism, thyroid surgery, parathyroid surgery, adrenal surgery, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, and familial endocrine tumor syndromes. She focuses her research on improving clinical outcomes and addressing disparities in care for these patients.
Dr. Huang received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2015 and a bachelor of science degree in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Huang has expertise in the posterior retroperitoneoscopic approach for adrenal surgery that accesses the adrenal gland through the back, simplifying the laparoscopic procedure and minimizing postoperative pain. She also has clinical and research interests in the care and surgical management of patients with renal hyperparathyroidism, thyroid surgery, parathyroid surgery, adrenal surgery, thyroid cancer, hyperparathyroidism, and familial endocrine tumor syndromes. She focuses her research on improving clinical outcomes and addressing disparities in care for these patients.
Dr. Huang received her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2015 and a bachelor of science degree in biological engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
This provider is not accepting new patients at this time
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Denise M. Carneiro-Pla, MD
Surgical Oncology, Endocrine CancerAbout
Dr. Denise Carneiro-Pla is a board-certified general surgeon who is focused in endocrine surgery. She was educated in Brazil including medical school and residency in general surgery. In 1998, shortly after her residency, she was invited to the United States to be a researcher in endocrine surgery which started her interest and commitment to this specialty. The research fellowship at the University of Miami School of Medicine lasted for a period of three-and-a-half years and then extended to another year and a half as a clinical fellow of endocrine surgery under Dr. George Irvin's mentorship.
Following these five years of specialized endocrine surgery training in this center of excellence, Dr. Carneiro-Pla was ready to start her career as an academic surgeon in the U.S. and she repeated the residency in general surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
Dr. Carneiro-Pla has been a faculty of the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina since 2007, with a practice exclusively dedicated to endocrine surgery treating thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgical diseases. She remains academically productive writing papers and book chapters in endocrine surgery, mainly in parathyroid disease and cervical ultrasonography, which are her special interests.
Dr. Carneiro-Pla currently sees patients in downtown Charleston at Hollings Cancer Center and at North Charleston Specialty Care, where ultrasonography is available as part of cervical physical examination and to guide necessary procedures. The indicated surgeries are performed at our state-of-the-art hospital, Ashley River Tower.
Following these five years of specialized endocrine surgery training in this center of excellence, Dr. Carneiro-Pla was ready to start her career as an academic surgeon in the U.S. and she repeated the residency in general surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine.
Dr. Carneiro-Pla has been a faculty of the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina since 2007, with a practice exclusively dedicated to endocrine surgery treating thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgical diseases. She remains academically productive writing papers and book chapters in endocrine surgery, mainly in parathyroid disease and cervical ultrasonography, which are her special interests.
Dr. Carneiro-Pla currently sees patients in downtown Charleston at Hollings Cancer Center and at North Charleston Specialty Care, where ultrasonography is available as part of cervical physical examination and to guide necessary procedures. The indicated surgeries are performed at our state-of-the-art hospital, Ashley River Tower.
New Patient Visits
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843-792-9300
Grace McRoy, PA
Surgical OncologyAbout
Grace McRoy is a Physician Assistant in the Department of Surgical Oncology at MUSC. She graduated from A.T. Still University's Physician Assistant program in Arizona and received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and International Health undergraduate degree from Clemson University in 2017. Before her physician assistant training, Grace received her Master's degree in Public Health from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2018.
She moved to South Carolina in 2000 from New Jersey with her sister and two parents, also medical providers in Beaufort, South Carolina. Throughout her undergraduate years, she knew she wanted to work in the medical field and decided to pursue degrees in public health and physician assistant studies. Grace completed her first year of PA training in Gilbert, Arizona, and then moved to Albany, Georgia, for clinical rotations. After graduation, she settled in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and their dog.
Grace is passionate about ensuring all individuals receive medical attention no matter their background. Her professional interests include surgical care, pre-operative education, post-operative education, health equity, whole-person health care, and oncology. Grace is bilingual in Spanish and English and hopes this may help patients become more comfortable with her as their medical provider.
She moved to South Carolina in 2000 from New Jersey with her sister and two parents, also medical providers in Beaufort, South Carolina. Throughout her undergraduate years, she knew she wanted to work in the medical field and decided to pursue degrees in public health and physician assistant studies. Grace completed her first year of PA training in Gilbert, Arizona, and then moved to Albany, Georgia, for clinical rotations. After graduation, she settled in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband and their dog.
Grace is passionate about ensuring all individuals receive medical attention no matter their background. Her professional interests include surgical care, pre-operative education, post-operative education, health equity, whole-person health care, and oncology. Grace is bilingual in Spanish and English and hopes this may help patients become more comfortable with her as their medical provider.
This provider is not accepting new patients at this time
David J. Cole, MD
Sarcoma Cancer, Breast Cancer, Melanoma & Skin Cancer, Surgical Oncology, Breast SurgeryAbout
President David J. Cole, M.D. FACS, received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from New Mexico State University and he received his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York. He interned and completed his residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals in Atlanta and his fellowship in surgical oncology at the NIH/NCI Surgery Branch in Bethesda.
Dr. Cole came to MUSC in 1994. In 2003 he was named the A. McKoy Rose, Jr. M.D. endowed chair in surgical oncology and was selected as chairman for the Department of Surgery in September of 2007. Dr. Cole was then elected president of MUSC Physicians in 2013. He held these esteemed titles until becoming president of MUSC on July 1, 2014.
Dr. Cole is board certified through the American Board of Surgery with a primary clinical field of interest in breast cancer as well as melanoma and sarcoma. He has a strong research background with more than 17 years of continuous funding by the NIH. He recently stepped down after seven years as the medical director for the center for cellular therapy in order to concentrate on the needs surrounding his newest role. His research at the center focused on novel cancer vaccine development and molecular diagnostics.
Dr. Cole came to MUSC in 1994. In 2003 he was named the A. McKoy Rose, Jr. M.D. endowed chair in surgical oncology and was selected as chairman for the Department of Surgery in September of 2007. Dr. Cole was then elected president of MUSC Physicians in 2013. He held these esteemed titles until becoming president of MUSC on July 1, 2014.
Dr. Cole is board certified through the American Board of Surgery with a primary clinical field of interest in breast cancer as well as melanoma and sarcoma. He has a strong research background with more than 17 years of continuous funding by the NIH. He recently stepped down after seven years as the medical director for the center for cellular therapy in order to concentrate on the needs surrounding his newest role. His research at the center focused on novel cancer vaccine development and molecular diagnostics.
New Patient Visits
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843-792-9300
Mark Lockett, MD
Breast Cancer, Surgical OncologyAbout
Dr. Lockett is a Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery where he works in the Surgical Oncology Division. He serves as the MUSC Health's Chief Quality Officer for Charleston, where he leads MUSC Health - Charleston in continued efforts to provide the safest and highest quality care for patients by building a culture and systems that foster excellence.
His academic interest lies in improving the quality, safety, and value of surgical care and addressing the surgical aspects of the opioid crisis. He is the principal investigator and surgeon lead for the South Carolina Surgical Quality Collaborative where he guides Continuous Quality Improvement work in eighteen hospitals across the state. He serves a similar role in the VA as the chief surgical consultant for Veterans Integrated Service Network 7 (Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina) where he provides guidance to seven surgical programs in the region. He works with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement on surgical projects and served as a member of the VA's General Surgery Advisory Board.
His primary areas of surgical expertise include the management of breast cancer and breast diseases. He has multiple peer-reviewed publications in both surgical oncology and general surgery. Dr. Lockett has a strong interest in surgical quality, safety, and value; surgical education, continuous quality improvement; system design, and pain management. He served as the surgical residency program director at East Tennessee State University before joining MUSC and the VA. He is the recipient of multiple teaching awards and has been an invited speaker at regional and national meetings.
He is a member of MUSC's Surgical Leadership Council, Quality Committee, and Clinical Council. Within the VA, Dr. Lockett chairs or participates in multiple local, regional, and national committees including: the Academic Partnership Council, Quality Executive Committee, Patient Care Improvement Conference, Clinical Executive Board; National, VISN, and local surgical work groups; VISN Healthcare Delivery Council, Peer Review Committee, Invasive Procedures Committee, and the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning national work group.
His academic interest lies in improving the quality, safety, and value of surgical care and addressing the surgical aspects of the opioid crisis. He is the principal investigator and surgeon lead for the South Carolina Surgical Quality Collaborative where he guides Continuous Quality Improvement work in eighteen hospitals across the state. He serves a similar role in the VA as the chief surgical consultant for Veterans Integrated Service Network 7 (Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina) where he provides guidance to seven surgical programs in the region. He works with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement on surgical projects and served as a member of the VA's General Surgery Advisory Board.
His primary areas of surgical expertise include the management of breast cancer and breast diseases. He has multiple peer-reviewed publications in both surgical oncology and general surgery. Dr. Lockett has a strong interest in surgical quality, safety, and value; surgical education, continuous quality improvement; system design, and pain management. He served as the surgical residency program director at East Tennessee State University before joining MUSC and the VA. He is the recipient of multiple teaching awards and has been an invited speaker at regional and national meetings.
He is a member of MUSC's Surgical Leadership Council, Quality Committee, and Clinical Council. Within the VA, Dr. Lockett chairs or participates in multiple local, regional, and national committees including: the Academic Partnership Council, Quality Executive Committee, Patient Care Improvement Conference, Clinical Executive Board; National, VISN, and local surgical work groups; VISN Healthcare Delivery Council, Peer Review Committee, Invasive Procedures Committee, and the Strategic Analytics for Improvement and Learning national work group.
New Patient Visits
Call Us to Schedule
843-792-9300
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MUSC Health Surgical Oncology at Hollings Cancer Center
86 Jonathan Lucas Street, Hollings Cancer Center, 3rd Floor,Charleston, SC 29425