Jeffrey Acker, M.D., Radiation Oncologist - Dr. Acker graduated from Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., with a B.S. in engineering sciences and earned his M.D. from the Duke University School of Medicine. He completed his residency program at Duke in 1994, serving as chief resident from 1993 to 1994. Dr. Acker has been affiliated with FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital since 1999 and with Duke University Medical Center since 1990. He is medical director of the Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center at Moore Regional.
Stephen King, M.D., Radiation Oncologist - Dr. King received a B.S. from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and completed his residency in radiation oncology at Duke University School of Medicine, serving as chief resident from 1992 to 1993. Since 1994, Dr. King has been an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the Radiation Oncology Department at Duke University. He serves as medical director of Radiation Oncology at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.
Charles S. Kuzma, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist - Board certified in hematology, medical oncology and internal medicine, Dr. Kuzma earned a B.S. degree in chemistry summa cum laude from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and received his medical degree from Philadelphia’s Temple University School of Medicine. After joining the U.S. Navy, he completed a residency in internal medicine at the Naval Hospital of Oakland (Calif.) and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the Naval Medical Center of San Diego/University of Southern California.
Todd A. Moore, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist - Board certified in hematology and medical oncology, Dr. Moore is a native of Galveston, Texas. He earned a B.S. degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., and his M.D. from the University of Mississippi in Jackson. He completed an internship at the University of Texas in Dallas and his residency in internal medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He specialized in hematology/oncology during a three-year fellowship at Brown University in Providence, R.I.
Sushma M. Patel, M.D., Radiation Oncologist - Dr. Patel is board certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology. A native of Philadelphia, Pa., she earned a B.A. degree in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College and received her medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey. She completed an internship year and then her residency in radiation oncology at the University of Cincinnati. She has been treating patients at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital since 2003.
Robert A. Pohlmeyer, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist - Dr. Pohlmeyer received a B.S. degree in biology summa cum laude from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, and his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He completed his internship and a residency in internal medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C., where he was chief fellow while completing a fellowship in hematology and oncology. He is board certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine.
Ellen Willard, M.D., Hematologist/Medical Oncologist - Dr. Willard is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and hospice and palliative medicine. A native of High Point, N.C., she earned a B.S. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her medical degree from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. She completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She has practiced in Pinehurst since 1991.
Susan Bazinet, MSN, OCN, C-FNP, Oncology Nurse Practitioner - Susan Bazinet is a certified family nurse practitioner and an oncology-certified nurse. She earned a B.S. degree in nursing summa cum laude from the University of Arizona and an M.S. degree in nursing, also summa cum laude, with the Family Nurse Practitioner Option from the University of Arizona. Certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, she has practiced as an advance practice nurse in both Massachusetts and Texas.
Susan Beaty, R.N., BSN, Director, FirstHealth Outpatient Cancer Center - Susan Beaty earned her associate degree in nursing from Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and her B.S. in nursing from SUNY College of Technology in Utica, N.Y. She began her nursing career at Duke University Medical Center as a staff nurse and then director in the Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic, and has worked in various leadership roles at Scotland Memorial Hospital, FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital and FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. She is ONS chemotherapy/biotherapy certified.
Margie Thomas, BSRT, (R)(T), Director, Radiation Oncology - A nationally registered radiation therapist, Margie Thomas received a B.S. degree in radiological technology from Northwestern Louisiana University and did her post-graduate work in radiation therapy at the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute in Little Rock. She spent two years working in Mississippi and seven years in Tennessee before she joined FirstHealth of the Carolinas in 2003. She is a member of the Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators.
Gayla Comer R.D., LDN, Dietitian - Gayla Comer is a registered and licensed dietitian who has worked at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital for 12 years and who has specialized in oncology for the past 11 years. Born and raised in the Sandhills, she received her B.A. in nutrition from Western Carolina University in 1989. Having studied alternative therapies, including herbs and aromatherapy, she brings a well-rounded approach to her clinical practice. She is also a certified Pilates and Yoga teacher.
Beth Dietrich, MSW, LCSW, Cancer Support Services Program - A licensed clinical social worker, Beth Dietrich received a B.A. in psychology cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since 2006, she has provided counseling to individuals, couples and families as part of the cancer support services at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. She also maintains the hospital’s cancer center library and facilitates some of the cancer center support groups.
Polly H. King, Cancer Care Coordinator, Outpatient Oncology Care - A licensed clinical social worker, Polly H. King earned a B.S. degree in social welfare from Tennessee State University and her master’s degree from the School of Social Work at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Her career in medical social work has included work in community health, public health, school health, acute hospitals, rehabilitation, home health, long term care, hospice, behavioral services and oncology. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
Laura Kuzma, CARE-Net Coordinator - Laura Kuzma received a master’s degree in social work from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. After working as a licensed social worker in the D.C., area, Kuzma relocated to Pinehurst. She began volunteering with the CARE-Net program and became the program coordinator in 2005. She recently returned to the position after taking time off following the birth of her third child in 2008. Kuzma now coordinates the CARE-Net programs for both Oncology and Cardiology.