Your Care at Winship
The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University offers patients a multidisciplinary approach and a total solution for neuroendocrine tumor care.
At Winship, our specialized doctors and nurses work together with you to determine the best treatment options. We realize you want to start treatment as soon as possible. By scheduling one appointment at the clinic, you will have access to three specially trained oncologists and a nurse navigator who will help guide you and your family through treatment. The goal of this clinic is to provide you with complete care and answers to all of your questions.
The benefits of our multidisciplinary and highly experienced teams include:
- Access to doctors and surgeons who rank among the top cancer experts in the world.
- Weekly review of patient cases by the full team of experts.
- Coordinated scheduling for appointments among various specialties.
- Access to a nurse navigator to assist you throughout the treatment process.
- Access to support groups and education classes for you and your caregivers.
- Availability of new treatment options within our clinical trials program.
Request an Appointment
If you have been diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors, we are ready to help you. Call us at (404) 778-0032. Winship experts are available to provide a second opinion.
We understand that this is a very stressful time. We welcome your questions and requests for help. Learn what to expect on your first visit.
Diagnosing Your Cancer
Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare type of cancer that develops in cells of the neuroendocrine system, a network of glands and organs in the body that produce hormones.
These types of tumors can be found throughout the body including the gastrointestinal tract, brain and lungs. Neuroendocrine tumors are also referred to as carcinoid or islet cell tumor.
The stage of your disease indicates how much it has spread. Early stage cancer is a disease limited to one organ. Late stage cancer indicates spread to other organs like to the liver, lung or to the bone. Determining the stage of your cancer will affect your treatment plan. Your Winship care team may use one or more tests and procedures to determine the stage of your cancer, including:
- Physical exam and blood work
- CT and/or PET scan
- MRI
- Octreotide scan: this method is used specifically for neuroendocrine tumors to see if the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
- Biopsy: a sample of tissue will be removed and examined by a pathologist.
Learn About Cancer
For reliable, in-depth information about cancer symptoms, staging and diagnosis, visit CancerQuest, an educational and outreach program at Emory University.
Your Treatment Options
Treatment of neuroendocrine tumors can be challenging due to the various types, where they present in the body, and the symptoms they produce.
Here are some of the treatment options:
Surgery: a physician will remove the tumor using the latest techniques including minimally invasive procedures when appropriate.
Liver directed therapies: are a group of minimally invasive procedures usually performed by interventional radiologists. These procedures include ablation and transcatheter therapies. Ablation means the destruction of the tumors by directly applying heat, cold or energy (microwave). Transcatheter therapies include injecting small particles of radioactive material directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor. Liver directed therapies may be used shrink tumors in preparation for surgery.
Chemotherapy and targeted therapies: drugs are used to kill or slow the growth of the tumor. In addition to standard targeted therapies, participating in clinical trials may be an option in certain cases. Clinical trials provide patients access to new medications that are being developed to treat neuroendocrine cancer.
Supportive Oncology Care
In addition to delivering the highest quality medical care, we recognize the importance of the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a cancer diagnosis and of dealing with treatment. Our supportive oncology team addresses these issues in a timely manner with additional support from counselors, nurse navigators, dietitians and social service professionals.
Clinical Trials at Winship
Consider talking with your doctor about participating in a clinical trial at Winship. Through these trials, you may have access to treatments that are not widely available.
Your Treatment Team
- Physicians
- Physician Diagnosticians
- Nurse Navigators
- Adv Practice
- Nurses
- Support Services
- Clinical Trials
- All
Mehmet Akce MD
- Medical Oncologist

Mehmet Akce MD
- Dr. Akce specializes in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0032
Olatunji B. Alese MD
- Medical Oncologist

Olatunji B. Alese MD
- Dr. Alese specializes in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0032
Rebecca Arnold LCSW, OSW-C
- Social Worker

Rebecca Arnold LCSW, OSW-C
- Ms. Arnold works with patients of all cancer types providing resource referrals and counseling services.
- Social Worker, Medical Oncology, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
- rebecca.arnold@emoryhealthcare.org
- (678) 843-7021
Wendy Baer MD
- Psychiatric Oncologist

Wendy Baer MD
- Dr. Baer helps patients and their families deal with the stress of receiving a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
- Director of Psychiatric Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-1900
Tiffany Barrett MS, RD, CSO, LD
- Nutrition Advisor

Tiffany Barrett MS, RD, CSO, LD
- Ms. Barrett leads the nutritional services team at all Winship locations providing personalized nutrition advice to patients who are undergoing cancer treatment.
- Manager of Winship Dietitians, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- tiffany.barrett@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-5646
Shermaine Campbell LMSW
- Social Worker

Shermaine Campbell LMSW
- Ms. Campbell works with the medical oncology team to assist patients with neurological, aerodigestive, breast and gastrointestinal malignancies.
- Social Worker, Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- shermaine.campbell@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-4593
Kenneth Cardona MD, FACS
- Surgical Oncologist

Kenneth Cardona MD, FACS
- Dr. Cardona is a board certified surgeon and surgical oncologist who specializes in the management of retroperitoneal sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas. Additionally, he is an expert in the treatment of complex gastrointestinal malignancies (such as stomach, pancreas, and liver cancers).
- Sarcoma Disease Team Lead, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 686-3203
Valerie Chertin MS, CSO, RD, LD
- Nutrition Advisor

Valerie Chertin MS, CSO, RD, LD
- A Registered Dietitian, Ms. Chertin provides cancer patients who are undergoing treatment at Winship Cancer Institute with personalized nutrition advice.
- Clinical Dietitian, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- valeriya.chertina@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0296
Kimberly A. Curseen MD
- Supportive Oncologist

Kimberly A. Curseen MD
- Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Palliative Care, Dr. Curseen is the primary provider for the Supportive Oncology Clinic at Winship.
- Director of Supportive and Palliative Care Outpatient Services , Emory Healthcare
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-6448
Maria Diab MD
- Medical Oncologist

Maria Diab MD
- Dr. Diab is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0032
Frank Eady LMSW
- Social Worker

Frank Eady LMSW
- Mr. Eady assists genitourinary, gastrointestinal and surgical oncology patients treated at Winship.
- Social Worker, GI/GU Cancer and Surgical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- frank.eady@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-5976
Bassel El-Rayes MD
- Medical Oncologist

Bassel El-Rayes MD
- Dr. El-Rayes is the chief clinical research scientist responsible for coordinating and providing high-level direction to the clinical cancer research programs and clinical cancer trials across the Emory campuses.
- Associate Director for Clinical Research, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0032
Heather G. Gatcombe MD
- Radiation Oncologist

Heather G. Gatcombe MD
- Dr. Gatcombe practices general radiation oncology at Emory Decatur Hospital and Emory Hillandale Hospital.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- radonc-referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 501-6925
Erin Grady MD
- Nuclear Radiologist

Erin Grady MD
- Dr. Grady's collaborates with the multidisciplinary team at Winship in the care of patients with neuroendocrine tumors and thyroid cancer.
- Associate Professor, Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine
- erin.grady@emory.edu
- (404) 778-1900
Raghuveer K. Halkar MD
- Nuclear Radiologist

Raghuveer K. Halkar MD
- Located at Grady Memorial Hospital, Dr. Halkar's clinical expertise is in neuroendocrine tumor management and the treatment of thyroid cancer.
- Professor, Department of Radiology, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 489-9000
Lisha Sheng Ho MPAS, PA-C
- Physician Assistant

Lisha Sheng Ho MPAS, PA-C
- Ms. Ho specializes in the care of patients with gastrointestinal cancers.
- Physician Assistant, Surgical Oncology/Colorectal Surgery, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-3307
Sol Jacobs MD
- Endocrinologist

Sol Jacobs MD
- Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-3280
Sandra J. Karem LCSW
- Social Worker

Sandra J. Karem LCSW
- Ms. Karem works at Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital with patients of all cancer types providing resource referrals and counseling services.
- Social Worker, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
- sandra.karem@emoryhealthcare.org
- (678) 843-7826
Rachel Keller RD, LD
- Nutrition Advisor

Rachel Keller RD, LD
- Ms. Keller offers advice and counseling to help patients optimize their health and nutrition from diagnosis to survivorship.
- Registered Dietitian, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
- rachel.keller@emoryhealthcare.org
- (678) 843-7115
Ashish Khanna MD
- Cancer Rehabilitation Specialist

Ashish Khanna MD
- Dr. Khanna focuses on the identification and treatment of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal and other issues resulting from cancer and related treatments.
- Director of Cancer Rehabilitation, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-1900
Kelly Klimansky RN, BSN
- Nurse Navigator

Kelly Klimansky RN, BSN
- Ms. Klimansky assists gynecologic and gastrointestinal cancer patients throughout their treatment.
- Oncology Nurse Navigator, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-1900
David A. Kooby MD, FACS
- Surgical Oncologist

David A. Kooby MD, FACS
- Dr. Kooby is involved in multicenter clinical research and is an international leader in minimally invasive pancreatic, liver and biliary tract surgery.
- Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-3805
Mohammed F. Loya MD
- Interventional Radiologist

Mohammed F. Loya MD
- Dr. Loya specializes in locoregional radiotherapies including Y90 radioembolization, chemoembolization, and thermal ablation of liver, renal, lung, bone, and soft tissue tumors.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-4747
Shishir K. Maithel MD, FACS
- Surgical Oncologist

Shishir K. Maithel MD, FACS
- Dr. Maithel is a board certified surgeon and surgical oncologist with special interest in hepatobiliary malignancies such as liver cancer as well as cancer of the pancreas, stomach, colon, and small intestine.
- Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-5777
William (Bill) O'Connell MD
- Interventional Radiologist

William (Bill) O'Connell MD
- Dr. O'Connell specializes in minimally invasive vascular and non-vascular interventional radiology procedures.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
- william.o'connell@emoryhealthcare.org
- (470) 344-4013
Caroline Peacock LCSW, MDiv
- Spiritual Health Provider

Caroline Peacock LCSW, MDiv
- Caroline has a passion for offering compassionate, respectful, and effective patient/family-centered care in a multi-faith, multi-cultural environment.
- Director of Spiritual Health, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
- caroline.peacock@emory.edu
- (470) 446-7844
M. Yawar J. Qadri MD, PhD
- Pain Management Specialist

M. Yawar J. Qadri MD, PhD
- A cancer pain management expert, Dr. Qadri collaborates with oncologists at Winship to treat patients with cancer suffering from chronic pain symptoms.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
- yawar.qadri@emory.edu
- (404) 686-2410
Margaret A. Riso MD
- Pain Management Specialist

Margaret A. Riso MD
- Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
- margaret.ann.riso@emory.edu
- (404) 686-2410
Maria C. Russell MD
- Surgical Oncologist

Maria C. Russell MD
- Dr. Russell's treats tumors of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, spleen and gallbladder, metastatic tumors to the liver, tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, neuroendocrine tumors, melanoma and metastatic melanoma.
- Associate Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0680
Juan M. Sarmiento MD, FACS
- Surgeon

Juan M. Sarmiento MD, FACS
- Dr. Sarmiento, an expert in liver, biliary tract and pancreas surgery, is one of only a handful of surgeons with a commitment to hepatopancreatic biliary surgery.
- Director of Hepatopancreatic Biliary Surgery, Emory University Hospital
- jsarmie@emory.edu
- (404) 778-3712
Neil D. Saunders MD
- Surgical Oncologist

Neil D. Saunders MD
- A board certified surgeon and surgical oncologist, Dr. Saunders specializes in cancers of the endocrine organs including thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands.
- Assistant Professor, Division of General and GI Surgery, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-3712
David M. Schuster MD, FACR
- Nuclear Radiologist

David M. Schuster MD, FACR
- Dr. Schuster is board certified in radiology and nuclear medicine, and specializes in molecular medicine and integrative imaging.
- Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
- dschust@emory.edu
- (404) 712-4859
Nikhil T. Sebastian MD
- Radiation Oncologist

Nikhil T. Sebastian MD
- Dr. Sebastian specializes in the treatment of lung, gastrointestinal and breast cancer.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- radonc-referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-3473
Ila Sethi MD
- Nuclear Medicine

Ila Sethi MD
- Dr. Sethi's practice includes all aspects of general and therapeutic nuclear medicine.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
- sila2@emory.edu
- (404) 712-4843
Walid L. Shaib MD
- Medical Oncologist

Walid L. Shaib MD
- Dr. Shaib is a part of the medical oncology team and specializes in gastrointestinal malignancies.
- Associate Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0032
Vinita Singh MD
- Pain Management Specialist

Vinita Singh MD
- Dr. Singh collaborates with oncologists to provide state-of-the-art therapies to cancer patients suffering from pain symptoms.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
- vinita.singh@emory.edu
- (404) 686-2410
Morgan J. Whitmore MD
- Interventional Radiologist

Morgan J. Whitmore MD
- Dr. Whitmore is an interventional radiologist with a clinical practice encompassing the full spectrum of minimally invasive vascular and non-vascular interventional radiology procedures.
- Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-4747
Joshua H. Winer MD
- Surgical Oncologist

Joshua H. Winer MD
- Dr. Winer's specialties include HIPEC, laparoscopic and robotic pancreas, liver, and gastric resections, and minimally invasive colon surgery.
- Assistant Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-8059
Christina Wu MD
- Medical Oncologist

Christina Wu MD
- Dr. Wu is a board certified medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies.
- Associate Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-0032
Nan Xiang MD
- Pain Management Specialist

Nan Xiang MD
- Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Emory University School of Medicine
- nan.xiang@emory.edu
- (404) 686-2410
Ali J. Zarrabi MD
- Supportive Oncologist

Ali J. Zarrabi MD
- Dr. Zarrabi provides physical, emotional, and spiritual care for patients living with serious illness.
- Associate Director, Outpatient Supportive and Palliative Care, The Emory Clinic
- winship.referrals@emoryhealthcare.org
- (404) 778-6448