
Overview
With over 20 years of experience as a busy general thoracic surgeon, I am referred patients with cancers in the chest and other difficult problems involving all the organs of the chest that are not from cancer. One of the things that attracted me to the field is the long-term relationship with my patients. I tell all my patients that I’m their doctor for life. I see patients for many, many years. Back in 2000, when we had a 26-inch snow here -- it was a Tuesday -- on my clinic day, everyone said no one would come to clinic. But I actually had 23 or 24 patients show up in four-wheel drives. It’s not that I’m such a fabulous doctor that they came to see me. It’s that they are cancer patients and this was their annual visit or their follow up. It was important to them. So we were here for them, and they came. I enjoy seeing my patients back 12, 13, 14 years later and learning what they’ve been up to and what their families have been up to. That’s a bond you get in oncology that a lot of other fields don’t have that treat patients then turn them back over to their primary care physicians. We as a team follow people, and I like that.
Dr. Harpole is highly rated in 14 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Endoscopy, and Advanced Bronchoscopy.
His clinical research consists of co-authoring 113 peer reviewed articles and participating in 2 clinical trials. MediFind looks at clinical research from the past 15 years.
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Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- HMO
- POS
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
Locations
20 Duke Medicine Cir, Durham, NC 27710
3404 Wake Forest Rd, Decatur, GA 30034
20 Duke Medicine Cir, Durham, NC 27710
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
2 Clinical Trials
Duke Cancer Center
I am a cancer surgeon who specializes in treating patients with pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the pancreas, liver, bile ducts, stomach, and adrenal glands. I initially trained and practiced at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. During this time, I served one year on a forward surgical team in Iraq. Following this service, I practiced for 13 years as a surgical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. In 2018, I joined the faculty at Duke University and now serve as the chief of surgical oncology for Duke Health. I enjoy getting to know my patients and delivering the highest quality of cancer care. I am dedicated not only to treating and curing your cancer, but also providing you with the highest quality of life. Operations for cancers within the abdomen are a serious undertaking, and I am committed to making sure that they are performed with the highest level of expertise. Dr. Allen is highly rated in 33 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatectomy, and Hepatectomy.
Duke Heart Transplant Clinic - Clinic 2F/2G
Carmelo Milano is a General Surgeon and a Transplant Surgeon in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Milano has been practicing medicine for over 36 years is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Tricuspid Regurgitation, Constrictive Pericarditis, Heart Tumor, Heart Transplant, and Heart Bypass Surgery.
Duke Cardiothoracic Surgery - Clinic 2F/2G
I am a general thoracic surgeon specializing in the treatment of thoracic malignancies such as lung cancer, as well as lung transplantation for patients with end-stage lung diseases. For cancer surgery, I offer minimally invasive approaches—including robotic-assisted and thoracoscopic surgery—that promote faster recovery and reduce postoperative pain. In cases of advanced cancer, I take a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists to provide comprehensive care. Lung transplantation has been the central focus of my career. I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable recovery of patients once debilitated by severe dyspnea. I am honored to be part of the Duke Lung Transplant Program, which has performed more than 2,600 lung transplants, making it the largest program of its kind in the United States. Before joining Duke, I practiced in Japan, where I personally performed more than 400 lung transplants, including 180 living-donor lung transplants—the largest such experience in the world. Dr. Date is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Thymic Epithelial Tumor, Lung Adenocarcinoma, Thymectomy, and Endoscopy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. David H. Harpole
How do I make an appointment with Dr. David H. Harpole?
You can book an appointment with Dr. David H. Harpole by calling their office at 919-681-6900. MediFind provides direct contact information so you can schedule visits, second opinions, or consultations without navigating third-party calendars.
Is Dr. David H. Harpole a top-rated expert for Lung Cancer?
MediFind is an objective health platform that identifies experts based on real-world data. Dr. David H. Harpole is classified as an Elite expert for Lung Cancer, meaning they are among the top experts in the country for this condition. This ranking is based on their volume of patients, published research, and peer connections.
What conditions does Dr. David H. Harpole specialize in?
While Dr. David H. Harpole is a General Surgery, they have specific expertise in Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). MediFind analyzes a doctor's articles and referral patterns to identify their specific areas of focus within General Surgery.
Does Dr. David H. Harpole participate in research or clinical trials?
Yes. Dr. David H. Harpole has published 113 articles and abstracts on conditions like Lung Cancer. You can view a list of Dr. David H. Harpole's latest peer-reviewed publications and clinical trial participation on their profile to see if they are active in new treatments.
Does Dr. David H. Harpole accept my insurance?
Dr. David H. Harpole accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna and Ambetter. We recommend calling the office directly at 919-681-6900 to verify that your specific plan is currently accepted before your visit.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Elite
- Lung CancerDr. Harpole isElite. Learn about Lung Cancer.
- MesotheliomaDr. Harpole isElite. Learn about Mesothelioma.
- Distinguished
- ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung CancerDr. Harpole isDistinguished. Learn about ALK-Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
- Lung NodulesDr. Harpole isDistinguished. Learn about Lung Nodules.
- Metastatic Pleural TumorDr. Harpole isDistinguished. Learn about Metastatic Pleural Tumor.
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)Dr. Harpole isDistinguished. Learn about Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
- Pleuropulmonary BlastomaDr. Harpole isDistinguished. Learn about Pleuropulmonary Blastoma.
- Squamous Cell Lung CarcinomaDr. Harpole isDistinguished. Learn about Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma.
- Advanced
- EGFR Positive Lung CancerDr. Harpole isAdvanced. Learn about EGFR Positive Lung Cancer.
- Esophageal CancerDr. Harpole isAdvanced. Learn about Esophageal Cancer.
- Esophageal PerforationDr. Harpole isAdvanced. Learn about Esophageal Perforation.
- Lung AdenocarcinomaDr. Harpole isAdvanced. Learn about Lung Adenocarcinoma.
- PneumomediastinumDr. Harpole isAdvanced. Learn about Pneumomediastinum.
- Subcutaneous EmphysemaDr. Harpole isAdvanced. Learn about Subcutaneous Emphysema.
- Experienced
- Advanced BronchoscopyDr. Harpole isExperienced. Learn about Advanced Bronchoscopy.
- Collapsed LungDr. Harpole isExperienced. Learn about Collapsed Lung.
- EmphysemaDr. Harpole isExperienced. Learn about Emphysema.
- EndoscopyDr. Harpole isExperienced. Learn about Endoscopy.
- Fibrosing MediastinitisDr. Harpole isExperienced. Learn about Fibrosing Mediastinitis.
- GastrostomyDr. Harpole isExperienced. Learn about Gastrostomy.



