Danielle Thrower, PA-C

Dr. Baker joined Novant Health Oncology Specialists in 2016 and is happy to be back in his home state of North Carolina. Dr. Baker performs complex gynecologic surgeries, using minimally invasive procedures when possible, and administers chemotherapy for women with gynecologic malignancies. He finds the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with his cancer patients to be the most rewarding aspects of his clinical work. Dr. Baker is married and has two sons, Harvey and Winston. His wife, Anna, is a molecular biologist.

For me, there is no field more exciting than oncology. The medical challenges are vast, but it is the unique relationship with the patients and their families which really drew me in. \n I also enjoy being part of a team, which is why I serve on the Novant Health Breast Cancer Tumor Council. This group brings together physicians from multiple specialties every week, to combine their expertise in the fight against breast cancer. My membership in the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Board of Internal Medicine also help me keep up with the ever-changing landscape of cancer care. \n I'm passionate about patient education and conversation. I try every day to do my best at explaining the complexities of cancer medicine in a way that makes sense to my patients. Every patient deserves to be presented with all the information available, in a way that is understandable, so that they can make the best decisions for their own care. \n For me, caring for patients at one of the more difficult times in their lives is personally fulfilling. The opportunity to see our cancer survivors in follow-up, living their best lives, often many years after their cancer diagnosis, is uniquely rewarding. \n A native of New England, I moved to the Winston-Salem area with my daughter in 2020, from Massachusetts. I previously served 14 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy. I am proud of my military service and training and feel that this experience helped to shape me into the provider I have become. My experiences in other parts of the world, including volunteer work as a physician in Honduras, have made me very grateful for the excellent cancer care available in the U.S., and have made me determined to contribute to this excellence as best I am able.

I am a hematology/oncology specialist and the physician lead for the transplant and cellular therapy department for Novant Health Cancer Institute. \n No two cancers are the same because no two patients are the same. Each patient comes with a different set of life experiences and ideas, which makes treating cancer unique to each individual patient. And this is why I was drawn to the field of oncology; it allows me an opportunity to improve a person's life during what might be the most difficult time of their life. \n To properly treat the whole person and not just the disease, you need to engage in active conversation with the patient throughout the treatment process. This is why I approach medicine and oncology from the position of a partnership between me and the patient. Very rarely in oncology do we find ourselves with decisions where the right answer is in black and white. \n I am a member of the American Society of Hematology, as well as the American Society for Transplant and Cellular therapy. My membership in these organizations keep me up to date on the latest research and treatment options in the field. I'm also actively engaged in clinical research focused on acute leukemia, with the goal of finding new, targeted therapies that improve disease control and survival while limiting side effects and maintaining a good quality of life through treatment. \n When I am not seeing patients, I enjoy time with my wife and three daughters. I am an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys skiing, SCUBA diving, kite surfing and long-distance running. I am passionate about the shared human experience and love meeting new people and exploring new ideas and places.