I feel very blessed to have a profession that allows me to serve patients with both cancerous and non-cancerous diseases of the head and neck. As a head and neck surgeon, I carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treatment — working with our team to maximize the chance for cure while maintaining the highest quality of life. As a physician, my approach to patient care includes addressing one's physical, emotional, psychosocial, and spiritual needs and well-being. My research endeavors strive to improve the care we provide to patients with head and neck cancers. I have had a research program in tumor immunotherapy. I am active in addressing global health needs, being involved with regular humanitarian mission trips throughout the world. I am also active in training the next generation of surgeons that are able to address and solve challenges in an ethical and virtuous way. I have, along with my colleagues, developed and instituted a virtue-based approach to residency training that will meet this need. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my wife and four kids in a variety of activities. Dr. Lee is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Angiosarcoma of the Scalp, Melanoma, Tongue Cancer, Tissue Biopsy, and Myringotomy.

I am a radiation oncologist, who specializes in treating head and neck and skin cancers. I chose this career path after watching an amazing friend receive treatment for a voice-box tumor. Her experience inspired me to dedicate my life to helping people like her. The relationships I develop with my patients, their families, and the clinical team are key to clinical success. By educating my patients about their cancers and treatment options, answering questions, and working together to develop a treatment plan, I empower my patients and provide the support they need to get through their treatments. I value being part of a skilled multidisciplinary team focused on providing compassionate and top-notched clinical care. I strive to constantly improve head and neck cancer treatments and am grateful to be able to offer cutting-edge clinical trials options to my patients. Outside of work, I treasure time with my family typically spent in outdoor activities including hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, running, kayaking, skiing, traveling, and playing/watching sports. We enjoy being active in the community and engaging in good causes. Dr. Robbins is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Cancer, Melanoma, Posterior Fossa Tumor, and Angiosarcoma.

As an otolaryngologist, I treat people with common ear, nose, and throat complaints, including enlarged thyroid gland, hoarseness, and swallowing difficulties. I also do complex reconstructive surgeries following trauma or cancer operations. I specialize in caring for patients with cancer of the facial skin, mouth, throat, thyroid, salivary glands, and voice box. When my dad had cancer, seeing the amazing care he received made me want to treat this wonderful patient population. I love getting to know my patients on a personal level and establishing real relationships with them during the years that I follow them. Outside of work, I enjoy cycling, pencil sketches, reading, and spending time with my son and my grandson. Dr. Cannon is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Acinic Cell Carcinoma of Salivary Glands, Salivary Gland Tumors, Throat Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Thyroidectomy.

I focus on treating patients with head and neck cancer, thyroid and parathyroid disorders, and maxillofacial trauma. I also have interests in microvascular (free flap) reconstruction, transoral robotic surgery, salivary endoscopy and medical education. I was privileged to do my residency training here at Duke and look forward to bringing my energy, dedication and leadership to our group. Dr. Kahmke is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Cancer, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Throat Cancer, Laryngectomy, and Tissue Biopsy.

Jameel Muzaffar is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Muzaffar is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma, Mastoidectomy, and Septoplasty. Dr. Muzaffar is currently accepting new patients.

Liana Puscas is an Otolaryngologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Puscas has been practicing medicine for over 29 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Salivary Duct Stones, Tongue Cancer, Tissue Biopsy, and Thyroidectomy.

I am a radiation oncologist specializing in the treatment of head and neck cancers. I am passionate about helping patients to navigate the life changes surrounding the diagnosis and treatment for head and neck cancers. I chose a career in oncology because I empathize with patients and families owing to my own, close, family member's journey with cancer. My research interests include investigating new ways to make head and neck radiation better-tolerated. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, trying new foods, and watching cat videos. Dr. Yu is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Astrocytoma, Glioblastoma, Neuroepithelioma, and Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT).

I am a medical oncologist and researcher who specializes in treating patients with lung cancer and head and neck cancer. I’ve been at Duke for eight years. I first realized I wanted to become a doctor in graduate school, because it gave me the opportunity to practically apply scientific evidence to help others. What I love most about my job is working with our research and clinical staff to come up with new and hopeful therapies for patients. When a patient comes to see me, I look at their past and current medical history, review their lab tests, and then work with a team to figure out which treatment would work best for them. If a patient comes from far away, we try to make sure we can fit in visits with all the relevant specialists before they leave. Outside of work, I enjoy exercising with friends and spending time with my children at their various activities. Dr. Ready is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), and Lung Adenocarcinoma.

I enjoy taking care of patients with tumors, both benign and malignant, in the head and neck, including skin cancer. I will shoot it to you straight, help guide you through the process, and make sure you leave with all your questions answered. I have an easy-breezy bedside manner and most patients leave with a smile on their faces. When I am not taking care of patients, you will find me in my research laboratory where I seek to improve clinical outcomes in the cancer patients I treat. For fun, I am an avid equestrian, and I try to ride 2-3 times a week. I love to cook and entertain family and friends. Dr. Watts is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Autonomic Neuropathy, Hyperventilation, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), and Laryngectomy.

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 Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma, Bone Tumor, and Fibrosarcoma.

I am a board-certified radiation oncologist with over 20 years of clinical experience. I enjoy caring for patients with a broad range of cancers. Spending time with patients is my favorite part of the job and I enjoy working with my patients and their caregivers to determine how radiation fits into their overall goals of cancer care. When not seeing patients, I enjoy spending time with my husband on our farm. Dr. Wentworth is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Cancer, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma, and Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Our ability to hear and communicate in our world are some of the most defining qualities of what it means to be a human and create the foundation of our social interactions. Helping people restore or improve these abilities to enhance their quality of life is what motivated me to become an otologist and neurotologist. I value each and every patient relationship and keep it centered on shared decision-making and evidence-based care that results in the best individual outcome. I feel privileged to help patients with a wide breadth of disorders related to the hearing and balance systems, from common issues such as hearing loss that requires cochlear implantation to rare ones like vestibular schwannomas (acoustic neuromas) and cerebrospinal fluid leaks. I also have a unique experience with and passion for treating patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence. One of the wonderful features of my practice is the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in a truly multidisciplinary manner to provide superb, multifaceted, and personalized care for each patient. Outside of work, I find great joy in being an avid outdoor enthusiast with my wife and our black lab. Dr. Formeister is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Vertigo, Hearing Loss, Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo, Meniere Disease, and Laryngectomy.

Benjamin Hechler is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Hechler is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Mouth Ulcers, Mouth Sores, and Mediastinitis. Dr. Hechler is currently accepting new patients.

David Brizel is a Radiation Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Brizel is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), Laryngeal Cancer, Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer, and Thyroid Cancer. Dr. Brizel is currently accepting new patients.

Ramon Esclamado is an Otolaryngologist and a Surgical Oncologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Esclamado is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), Squamous Cell Skin Carcinoma, Thyroid Nodule, Tissue Biopsy, and Thyroidectomy.

Maleka Ahmed is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Ahmed has been practicing medicine for over 43 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Adult Immune Thrombocytopenia, Hemangioma Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Thrombocytopenia. Dr. Ahmed is currently accepting new patients.

Jessica Lee is a Radiation Oncologist and a Radiologist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Lee has been practicing medicine for over 9 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Laryngeal Cancer, Throat Cancer, Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma, and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Dr. Lee is currently accepting new patients.

Adam David is a General Surgeon and a Dentist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. David has been practicing medicine for over 21 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Periodontitis, Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia, and Cherubism.

Debra Schardt is a General Surgeon and a Dentist in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Schardt has been practicing medicine for over 31 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Leukoplakia, Erythroplakia, Oral Mucous Cyst, and Cherubism.

Trevor Hackman is an Otolaryngologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Hackman is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Tongue Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC), Salivary Gland Tumors, Sialadenitis, Laryngectomy, and Gastrostomy. Dr. Hackman is currently accepting new patients.