José C. Martínez, MD, PhD

I became a genetic counselor because I wanted a career that allowed me to combine my interest in genetics with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Genetic counseling was the perfect fit, it enables me to help individuals understand their personal and family histories, as well as their genetic information, to make informed healthcare decisions. I’m passionate about providing patient-centered care and supporting people as they navigate complex genetic information. My areas of interest include Cancer Genetics and Cardiovascular Genetics. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the outdoors through hiking and camping. I also love discovering new restaurants and trying different cuisines.

As a board-certified head and neck surgeon, I focus on minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat cancers. My interest in preserving patient function led me to pursue a fellowship in transoral robotic surgery (TORS) at the University of Pennsylvania. Before that, I completed a fellowship in minimally invasive, endoscopic skull base surgery at The Ohio State University Skull Base Center. Before I became a doctor, I was a chemistry teacher in Brooklyn, New York. I tutored students with limited resources after school to support the community's educational efforts. A student I had tutored died from cancer, and that memory is what drove me to change careers and enter the medical field. Today, I'm dedicated to research on head and neck cancer genomics. I was part of the Winship team that participated in the ECOG 3311 human papillomavirus (HPV) oropharyngeal de-escalation trial. I graduated from Duke University and received my medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. I completed a seven-year surgical residency at the University of North Carolina Department of Otolaryngology, where I focused on translational research. I then pursued fellowship training in Extended Endoscopic Approaches (EEA) to the skull base at The Ohio State University Wexner Center, followed by a year of fellowship training at the University of Pennsylvania Head and Neck Oncology program.

My primary goal is to provide patient-centered care by partnering with patients and their loved-ones to optimize both quality of life-improving and life-sustaining treatments. Clinically, I specialize in the treatment of brain and spine tumors as well as the nuanced care of advanced and metastatic cancers. My research focuses on maximizing the quality of life for patients with advanced cancers while minimizing the burden of treatment and follow-up. I enjoy mentoring undergraduate students, medical students, and radiation oncology residents. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, exploring new restaurants with my wife, and finding local playgrounds with my two daughters.