Demetria Jacks, MD

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.

As a gynecologic oncologist, I specialize in both the medical and surgical care of women with cancers of the female reproductive tract, including the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva. I use advanced medical and surgical techniques, including surgical robotics and laparoscopy, extensively to help patients recover from surgery faster and with less pain than traditional approaches. \n One of the most fulfilling aspects of specializing in this field is that it enables me to use my skills as a surgeon to remove cancers and my knowledge of chemotherapy to treat patients with the most advanced therapies available. \n After successful cancer treatments, I often continue to see my patients intermittently for years to ensure they remain healthy. The relationships I form with them and their families are among the most rewarding of my life. \n As a member of the American Osteopathic Association, I take a whole-person approach to medicine, which means focusing on prevention and helping the body's natural tendency toward health and self-healing. Throughout the process, I strive to respect the patient's wishes, including providing care at the times and locations most convenient to them. I focus on both their physical comfort and emotional wellbeing. \n In addition to direct patient care, I also enjoy clinical research. I have served as primary investigator on multiple Novant Health clinical trials for new cancer therapies and on the operating room committees at both Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center and Novant Health Medical Park Hospital. \n Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with my wife, a veterinarian, and our daughter, who was born in 2020. My interests include classic automobiles, being outdoors, traveling and studying history. I raised in California, where most of my extended family still lives.

Dr. Collins' interest in oncology grew as he was involved in research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While studying the effects of various compounds on cancer cell growth, he recognized the opportunities for discovery and possibilities in the field of oncology. He has seen novel therapies save the lives of many cancer patients since his early years in research and schooling. Dr. Collins treats patients for genitourinary cancer, which includes malignancies in the prostate, bladder and kidneys. He grew up in Long Island, New York and moved to North Carolina more than 20 years ago. He lives in Winston-Salem with his wife and three daughters. In his free time, he runs, plays tennis and sharpens his skills in photography.