Board of Directors

President

Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA
Hematologist/Oncologist
Messino Cancer Centers
Asheville, NC

Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA, is a hematologist and oncologist at the Messino Cancer Centers in Asheville, NC. He is a member of North Carolina Oncology, North Carolina Medical Society, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology, among many others.

Dr. Palmeri has a special interest in malignancies of the GI tract (colorectal, stomach, esophagus, liver and pancreas) and the evolving field of immuno-oncology particularly in how it relates to cancers of the skin.

Dr. Palmeri received his medical degree from East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. He completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology and a residency in internal medicine at Darmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. He holds a bachelor's degree from Duke University.

Secretary/Treasurer

Daniel R. Carrizosa, MD
Physician and Associate Program Director
Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Institute

Immediate Past President

Jimmy Ruiz, MD
Medical Oncologist
Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Jimmy Ruiz, MD, is a medical oncologist who specializes in the treatment of lung cancer, and conducts phase 1-3 clinical trials in metastatic and locally advanced lung cancer. His personal research focuses on clinical and translational research in lung cancer brain metastasis, and has authored and co-authored several clinical and scientific journals. Dr. Ruiz has an interest in underserved communities and works at each site to improve clinical trial participation for underrepresented minorities and establish community relationships with underserved populations.

Members-at-Large

Keith A. Lerro, MD, PhD
Medical Oncologist
Regional Medical Oncology Center

Keith Lerro, MD, PhD, is a board certified oncologist and hematologist dedicated to using the latest treatments available against all types of cancer, even the most complex. Dr. Lerro received his cancer training at Yale University, residency at Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and his MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Mahvish Muzaffar, MD
Oncologist; Associate Professor
East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine

Mohamed K. Mohamed, MD, PhD
Director, Thoracic Oncology Program; Hematologist/Oncologist
Cone Health Cancer Center
Greensboro, NC

Mohamed K. Mohamed, MD, PhD, is a practicing hematologist and oncologist, and director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at Cone Health Cancer Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dr. Mohamed specializes in internal medicine and oncology. He completed his hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh.

Nasfat Shehadeh, MD
Oncology Specialists of Charlotte

Dr. Nasfat Shehadeh is board certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology, Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment, and Internal Medicine. His clinical interests include GU/ GI oncology and head/neck cancer. Dr. Shehadeh has been voted a top doctor in medical oncology for years 2019-2022 by Charlotte Magazine.

He graduated from the medical school at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan with honors on the Dean’s list. After his residency and fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, he held various academic appointments as a fellow and professor at the University of Minnesota, Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, and University of Toledo.

Before serving cancer patients in Charlotte, he was the medical director at Mercy Cancer Centers in Toledo and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He and his family migrated south when he took on the clinical role of developing a cancer program with Novant Health Cancer Specialists starting in 2015. In 2020, Dr. Shehadeh joined the oncology team at OSC. Having worked previously in a hospital-based cancer program, he has seen the vast difference of personalized care that can be obtained in an independent oncology practice. The setting is patient-focused with access to care that is broadened across all the hospital systems and not being limited to just one.

Dr. Shehadeh brings a range of clinical expertise in all areas of solid tumor and blood diseases. He has overseen many clinical research trials in various cancer therapies, including immunotherapy, metastasized cellular structure, stem cell transplant, and blood disorders, to name a few. In the past few years, he has been presenting to various cancer groups on specific topics in lung cancer, breast cancer, clinical trials, colon cancer, and multiple myeloma. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Community Oncology Alliance, and locally the Independent Physicians of the Carolinas.

Dr. Shehadeh is married with four children. In his leisure time, he enjoys singing and music. You can also find him spending time camping with his kids, hiking, playing ping-pong, and chess. Dr. Shehadeh is a dedicated volunteer at the Shifa Clinic, which provides free health care for those in need.

Siddharth Sheth, DO, MPH
Medical Oncologist
University of North Carolina Health Care

Appointed Fellow

Azka Tasleem, MD
Hematology/ Oncology Fellow
ECU Vidant Medical Center

S. Yaseen ZIa, MD
Medical Director Radiation Oncology
Pardee Cancer Center