Cindy Ballenger, MD, obtained her medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), graduating with honors. She completed her internship at Moses H. Cone Hospital and residency at UNC. Dr. Ballenger is board certified in Radiation Oncology. Prior to joining the team at Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, she practiced in Greenville, NC.
Outside of work, Dr. Ballenger greatest joy is spending time with her family, human and furry. She also loves watching N.C. State Wolfpack football and basketball games, going to the theater, cycling and playing sports with her twin sons.
Board Certification: American Board of Radiology: Radiation Oncology
Holly received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from East Tennessee State University (ETSU).
Holly has been a resident of the High Country for several years and is passionate about caring for her community. She has worked at Watauga Medical Center in the past as a nurse, where she was chosen for the Nursing Excellence Award and Scholarship. She was also given the Daisy Award, in which nurses are nominated by the patients they serve.
In her leisure time, Holly enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons on their beautiful farm located in Roan Mountain. Although she loves caring for all of the animals on their farm, she especially loves tending to the cattle.
Marcia completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Toledo in Toledo, OH where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She then completed the Physician Assistant (PA) program at Cuyahoga Community College in Parma, OH. Marcia specializes in Hematology Oncology (Hem/Onc) where she treats, screens, and helps to prevent disorders of the blood as well as different types of cancer. While Marcia has been a Hem/Onc PA for over 25 years, she has also worked in neurosurgery, spine orthopedics, and rheumatology. Marcia chose Appalachian Regional Healthcare System because of the friendly environment and the beautiful mountains. Marcia is married and has one son. In her free time, Marcia likes to dabble in photography.
Dr. Khurram Tariq is a Hematologist and Medical Oncologist at the Selby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, a part of the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.
Dr. Tariq is uniquely qualified as being triple ABIM board certified in the fields of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology. Dr Tariq obtained his undergraduate training in Bachelors of Science at UNC-CH. During his undergrad years, Dr Tariq founded several student organizations including MOSAIC and The Economics Club and was honored with several distinctions, including the university’s highest award, The Chancellor’s Award.
He later obtained his internal medicine training at University of Florida in Jacksonville, and went on to receive his Hematology and Medical Oncology training at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA. Over the years, first as a student and then as a resident and a fellow, Dr Tariq has made significant contributions to the global discussion in the field of Hematology, Medical Oncology, Nephrology and other areas of Internal Medicine with numerous publications in reputable medical and scientific journals.
During his fellowship training, Dr. Tariq played an integral role in diagnosing a 21 year old young female patient with TAFRO syndrome: A very rare disease that initially led to hepatic dysfunction, pulmonary and renal failure and a near-complete fibrosis of bone marrow in a previously active and healthy female. She eventually had full recovery after treatment with a novel drug and gave birth to a healthy baby. This is only the third case of TAFRO ever to have been diagnosed in the United States and the first case of TAFRO in an individual of African American descent. In appreciation of his academic and leadership contributions to the field of medicine in the early stage in his career, in 2018 Dr. Tariq was inducted as a Fellow in the prestigious American College of Physicians and earned the title FACP.
In his personal life, Dr Tariq was born in Pakistan. He grew up in Cary, NC, and went to Cary High School. He can speak several different languages due to his diverse background. Dr. Tariq loves to travel and has been to different parts of the United States and abroad, including three trips to Alaska and several visits to the Himalayan mountain range in northern part of Pakistan, which is home to six of the eight tallest peaks in the world, the tallest desert and some very good fishing—a hobby he enjoys dearly.
In the year 2007, Dr Tariq was awarded with a travel scholarship through UNC to document an ancient tribe in the remote part of the Himalayan mountain range believed to the be descendant of Alexander the Great. Dr Tariq is blessed with a small family comprising of his wife, a mother and two sisters living on east and the west coast. He loves to spend his free time with family and friends.
American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology, Medical Oncology
Residency Training:
University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL.
Fellowship:
MCG/Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University, Augusta, GA
Professional Affiliations:
ASH: The American Society of Hematology
ASCO: American Society of Clinical Oncology
ACP: American College of Physicians
Leadership Experience
Director/Department Chair: Oncology Service Line: Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, Boone, NC: Since 3/18/2019
Director: Research Department at Seby B. Jones Cancer Center
Chairperson: Cancer Committee for Seby B. Jones Cancer Center
Professor at Appalachian State University
Oncology Physician leader: Policy Committee for NOC with Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
Oncology Physician leader: Clinical Council leadership committee for Appalachian Regional Healthcare System
Oncology Physician leader: Pharmacy P&T committee with focus on drug pricing and contracts
International Leadership
American Society of Hematology
Program Chairperson: ASH Live Review Pakistan: Highlights of ASH 2020
Founding Member/Event Organizer: First ASH endorsed event anywhere in Southeast Asia or the Middle East
Guest Speaker and Panelist at International Hematology Oncology Conferences
Pakistan Society of Haematology at HaemCon2020, February 2020
MPN: Updates in Essential Thrombocythemia
Best of American Society of Clinical Oncology with SMOP, August 2020
Discussion panelist for updates in Multiple Myeloma
Pakistan Society of Haematology at HaemCon2021, February 2021
Updates in CART cell therapy.
SKM Oncology Symposium 2021: November 2021
Updates in MMR-d and Metastatic Colon Cancer
Effects of Hematologic Cancer Treatments on COVID-19
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