Dr. John W. Nelson

I was drawn to the field of oncology because cancer is a terrifying diagnosis for most people. It is one of those health issues that make people very nervous. I find great satisfaction working with cancer patients to help allay their fears and provide the best care possible. For me, it is rewarding to work with individuals who express so much courage in overcoming a difficult diagnosis. It is very rare that a patient comes alone to an appointment. Usually they have a spouse, son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a mother or father accompanying them. I spend a lot of time answering family member’s questions, who often provide a significant amount of care and support for their loved one. My job is to help educate both the patient and the family and to formulate a plan by which we can provide comprehensive care for all of the patient’s needs. Dr. Kelsey is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Primary Lymphoma of the Brain. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

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 Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Primary Lymphoma of the Brain. His top areas of expertise are Brain Tumor, Meningioma, Glioma, Astrocytoma, and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

I am a radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of cancers involving the brain, base of the skull, and spine. I discovered my passion for studying brain tumors as an undergraduate at Harvard College, where I worked in a neurobiology laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. In medical school, I realized that a career in oncology would allow me to combine this passion with my deep love for clinical care and the longitudinal relationships I build with my patients and their families. As a former patient at Boston Children’s Hospital, I bring the unique experience and perspective of knowing what it’s like to trust a doctor with my life. I am proud to be a member of the Duke Cancer Institute and the leading brain tumor center in the world, where our world-class clinical team, researchers, and technology come together to make a difference for our patients every day. Dr. Vaios is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Primary Lymphoma of the Brain. His top areas of expertise are Primary Lymphoma of the Brain, Brain Tumor, Glioblastoma, Astrocytoma, and Tissue Biopsy.