Join board certified oncologist Dr. Kashyap Patel, popular radio host Terry Base, and Garcia Williams, executive director of The Medi, for a #COVID19 conversation! On December 14, Dr. Patel discussed what additional precautions cancer patients should be taking when it comes to the coronavirus.

​Some cancer treatments can weaken the immune system and may cause patients to become immunocompromised, which can increase their risk for severe illness and effects from COVID-19. We wanted you to be aware as you plan and implement safety precautions for any loved ones with cancer.

​A full-time practicing medical oncologist who is board certified in hematology, oncology, and internal medicine who has worked directly with cancer patients for the past 20 years, Dr. Patel is not only the CEO of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates, he is the medical director for the International Oncology Network and author of the book “Between Life and Death: From Despair to Hope.”

He also serves as president-elect as well as co-chair of the biosimilars committee and the payment reform committee for the Community Oncology Alliance, trustee for the Association of Community Cancer Centers, member of the Clinical Practice Committee committees of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and National Committee for Quality Assurance, consultant medical director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, and on the advisory boards of a number of Medicaid health management organizations. He is past president of the South Carolina Oncology Society, has served as chair of several committees in multiple South Carolina hospitals, and has been an advisor to the South Carolina Department of Health & Human Services and Palmetto GBA, one of the largest Medicare administration contractors in the US.

​Dr. Patel has extensive research experience in the field of oncology and has published articles in national and international journals, earning research awards for research in cancer including ASCO merit awards. 

​He has a special interest in healthcare policy, healthcare economics, and end-of-life care. He is a certified trainer for physicians and has spoken at numerous medical education events on palliative and end-of-life care. He is involved in healthcare economics on a professional level, including consulting with major commercial payers, has cultivated expertise in Value-Based Care, and has successfully led Oncology Care Model pilots with two such payers.

He also has extensive legislative experience at both the local and national level. He has testified at the South Carolina Senate and carried out briefings on the topic of precision medicine on Capitol Hill.