I am a medical oncologist who focuses on bone and soft tissue cancers called sarcomas. I love spending time with my patients. They often have a sense of awareness about their condition that’s truly unique and rewarding. I partner with each patient so they know the full set of options available for treatment and can make an informed decision about the approach that is best for them. I’ve wanted to pursue medicine for as long as I can remember. I find cancer fascinating because of its ability to evade the immune system. The body fails to recognize cancer as being foreign. When I am not at work, I love spending time with my family and enjoy long distance running. Dr. Riedel is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Liposarcoma, Desmoid Tumor, and Angiosarcoma.

I became an orthopaedic surgeon because I enjoy the mechanical nature of how joints, bones and muscles work together. I chose to focus on treating children because it provides me with an opportunity to make a difference in their health now, and for the rest of their lives. As I’ve entered the later stages of my career, I have had the privilege of seeing patients who I treated come back to me as adults seeking treatment for their own children. I find it very fulfilling to see how the treatments I gave the parent helped them become a healthy, fully functional adult. I believe that being a good doctor means treating the “whole” patient, rather than focusing only on individual parts of the body. I enjoy working with my patients to make sure they are getting all the treatments they need to get and stay well. In my spare time I enjoy photography, hiking and backpacking. Dr. Alman is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Chondrosarcoma, Desmoid Tumor, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Maffucci Syndrome, and Hip Replacement.

As an orthopaedic oncologist, I am passionate about providing the best diagnostic and therapeutic surgical care for patients with benign or malignant bone or soft tissue tumors of the musculoskeletal system. As the director of the Sarcoma program at the Duke Cancer Institute, my passion is building our team to provide the best clinical care and basic scientific, translational and clinical research to serve our patients. Dr. Brigman is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, Chondrosarcoma, Bone Graft, and Hip Replacement.

As an orthopedic oncologist, I treat cancers of the bone and muscle. My background is very different from most doctors. I started as a veterinarian and became interested in cancer because so many dogs have cancer, and I came to medical school to learn how to treat and beat some of these types of cancer. I’m still a veterinarian, and that’s a big part of what we do here. Many cancers of the bone and muscles, called sarcomas, are rare in people, but common in dogs. So continuing to treat dogs with this type of cancer lets us and our group gain a deeper understanding of how these cancers work. With my patients, I try to find out what the cancer has taken from them, and what their goals are for how to get back in control. For some, their goal is to beat the cancer no matter what. For others, the goal is to keep walking or to be able to walk again, or to be in less pain. Then we try to tailor our approach to the patient. Often, people think being a surgical oncologist must be a terrible job. But I find something in each patient to admire, because patients dealing with cancer develop a strength the rest of us don’t get to have. Dr. Eward is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, Desmoid Tumor, Hip Replacement, and Bone Graft.

I am an orthopaedic oncologist and specialize in tumors that affect bone and soft tissue in the musculoskeletal system. I was introduced to this specialty by my mentor in medical school, who taught me how truly complex the biology of bone is and how it contributes to human disease. I enjoy finding surgical solutions to treat tumors, and I always try to understand what the tumor does to the body, how the body reacts to the tumor, and how the tumor evolves in response to its environment. This is the driving force behind much of my research. My patients motivate me to find innovative solutions to treat their disease. Every person is different, and it is my job to understand who you are and what your goals are in order to work with you to come up with the best possible treatment plan. Dr. Visgauss is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Chondrosarcoma, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, Liposarcoma, and Hip Replacement.

I’m a fellowship-trained surgical oncologist who specializes in the surgical management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies—including soft tissue sarcomas and pancreas, colorectal and gastric cancers. Many of my patients have advanced malignancies and I am always amazed at their resilience. Their determination to fight inspires me to aggressively pursue every surgical option and to study novel techniques to improve surgical outcomes. One of the most important reasons for patients to be treated at Duke is the emphasis on a team-oriented approach to every patient. Nearly every surgical cancer patient is discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor conference in order to assure state of the art care. When I am not in the hospital, my wife and I can be found chasing our two young children or running with our dog. Dr. Blazer is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Retroperitoneal Liposarcoma, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.

As a radiation oncologist, I treat adults and children with sarcomas and other conditions of the musculoskeletal system. In my practice, we recognize that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family and work to care for all members. Our team is committed to offering personalized, multi-disciplinary care. Dr. Larrier is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma Embryonal, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, and Rhabdomyosarcoma.

Sandy El Bitar is a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. El Bitar has been practicing medicine for over 12 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Febrile Neutropenia, Agranulocytosis, Chronic Familial Neutropenia, and Essential Thrombocythemia.

My clinical interest is in caring for patients with pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the liver, bile ducts, and pancreas. I enjoy treating each patient with a personalized and holistic therapeutic plan, oftentimes using creativity to tailor treatment specifically to them. Being a surgeon at Duke means that I can collaborate with experts from many different specialties and work with a team of caring, compassionate, and talented support staff to provide an unrivaled experience and the best outcomes for patients. Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with my wife, two children, and dog, exploring the natural beauty of Durham and surrounding areas in North Carolina, and supporting local entrepreneurs by dining at local restaurants and attending events in the community, such as the Durham Farmers' Market. Dr. Lidsky is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Hepatectomy.

I am a medical oncologist specializing in bone and soft tissue cancers called sarcomas. Sarcomas occur throughout the body, so I collaborate closely with colleagues from other specialties in a multidisciplinary team. I view my role in caring for someone's cancer as as privilege and strive to work together with each patient to ensure the best treatment decisions are made, all the while embracing each person's uniqueness as an individual. I see adult patients of all ages, but have a particular interest in the unique challenges facing a young adults with cancer. When I'm not working, you can find me exploring the outdoors with my family, traveling, and cooking. Dr. Grilley is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, and Fibrosarcoma.

Michael Morse is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Morse has been practicing medicine for over 35 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Fibrolamellar Carcinoma, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Appendix Cancer, and Liver Embolization.

I specialize in treating patients with cancers and pre-cancerous lesions of the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, and stomach. I also take care of patients with cancers that have spread to the liver from other locations, such as colon and rectal cancers. When a patient comes to see me, it is often a very difficult time for them and their families, and it is my privilege to take the time to get to know them, develop the most effective possible treatment plan, and thoroughly discuss how we will move forward together. I work alongside an outstanding team of medical and radiation oncologists in order to tailor care specific to each patient’s individual needs and values. Our goal is not only to provide the most effective cancer treatment, often using minimally-invasive and robotic techniques, but also to focus on maintaining quality-of-life, understanding that each patient has his or her own goals and priorities. I originally came to Duke Health as a surgical resident over a decade ago and chose to return here to practice as a surgical oncologist because of the wonderful patient community and exceptional colleagues. Dr. Nussbaum is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Gallbladder Disease, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Gallbladder Removal.

My goal is to provide tailored treatment that aligns with the goals and values of each patient. I was initially attracted to radiation oncology by the cutting-edge technology and the inspiring patients I met. It is a privilege to care for patients during potentially one of the most challenging times of their lives. I strive to make patients feel supported during their treatment and reassured that they are receiving the most up-to-date treatments at Duke. When not in the clinic, I enjoy exploring nature, game nights with friends, and relaxing with my husband and cat. Dr. Westergaard is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Orbital Pseudotumor, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, and Lung Cancer.

I'm a radiation oncologist, and I specialize in treating brain, base of skull and spine tumors, as well as tumors that arise in the body but go to the brain or the spine, as in certain cases of lung, breast and kidney cancer and melanoma. When I meet with a patient, it’s important for me to introduce them and their family to our team of doctors, therapists, nurses and treatment planners. The patient and their family will also become members of this team – truly the most important part - so we can work together to tailor care based on their wants and needs. At Duke, we’ve developed techniques to precisely and accurately treat small, complex lesions and tumors. We can minimize the amount of radiation that goes into normal tissues and at the same time maximize the amount of radiation where it is needed. Our team is geared to delivering every treatment to each patient exactly as planned, especially in complicated and difficult situations. As a patient or a physician, I think there’s no better place to be than Duke. I love my work, feel honored that my patients place their trust in our team and me and work hard to earn that trust. Dr. Kirkpatrick is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Brain Tumor, Meningioma, Glioma, Astrocytoma, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

I am an academic adult and pediatric neuro-oncologist who helps lead The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke. I am the author of more than 500 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and book chapters, and I have presented extensively at both international and national meetings. I am a committed educator who is a member of the executive and super-executive committees of the Duke University School of Medicine, which are responsible for the recruitment, screening and selection of medical students. I have reviewed grants for the National Institutes of Health for over 15 years, in a spectrum of different study sections. I am the senior editor of CNS Oncology and a reviewer for over 25 academic journals. I serve on the advisory board of a number of organizations, including Voices Against Brain Cancer, the Tug McGraw Foundation, Pinnacle Care, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, the National Children’s Cancer Society, and the American Brain Tumor Association. Dr. Friedman is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Glioma, Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, and Brain Tumor.

I am a radiologist and nuclear medicine specialist with a major interest in cancer imaging and treatment. My goal is to provide anatomic and molecular imaging that will guide patient care and improve treatment outcomes. Another major interest that I have is radiotheranostics, where we utilize targeted molecular probes (radiotracers) for imaging potential tumor targets with PET/CT or SPECT/CT. We then treat the tumors with similar molecular probes attached to a therapeutic radioisotope. Dr. Wong is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Neuroendocrine Tumor, Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Lung Nodules, and Bladder Reconstruction.

I am a surgical oncologist and researcher whose primary areas of focus are cancers of the liver and pancreas. As a surgeon, I believe in using minimally-invasive techniques, when possible, to speed up a patient’s recovery and get them to other avenues of care faster. My research is focused on clinical practice and clinical outcomes. I became interested in surgical oncology, because I enjoy the opportunity to restore hope to patients who may feel despair after their initial cancer diagnosis. I aim to restore hope by connecting with patients individually and providing them with options for treatment when they might feel they have none. I also work closely with my radiology oncology and medical oncology colleagues in crafting a treatment and care plan. Working together as a team often allows us to come up with a much better treatment plan than any of us could by ourselves. Dr. Zani is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Pancreatectomy.

David Kirsch is a Radiation Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Kirsch is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, and Melanoma of the Eye. Dr. Kirsch is currently accepting new patients.

James Vredenburgh is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Vredenburgh is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Glioma, Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Brain Tumor, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

I care for patients seeking long-term, sustainable weight loss through advanced surgical options. As a bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon, I specialize in procedures such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and revision surgeries. I also address related conditions like hernias, reflux, and metabolic disease. I’m passionate about supporting patients not just during surgery, but throughout their journey—before, during, and long after the procedure. I chose this field because I’ve seen how life-changing these interventions can be, both physically and emotionally. I take time to understand each patient’s goals, challenges, and lifestyle, and I work with them to build a path forward that’s realistic and durable. Outside of work, I enjoy travel, music, and time with friends, which helps me stay grounded and energized for the work I do. Dr. Meireles is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Desmoid Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Achalasia, Obesity, Hernia, Sleeve Gastrectomy, and Gastrectomy.