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Aaron U. Blackham, MD
Surgical Oncology
LVPG Cliniciani
Accepting New Patients
Overview
Area of focus i
- Pancreatic Cancers
- Liver Cancers
- Melanoma
- Sarcoma
- Robotic Surgery
Languages spoken
- English
About
Philosophy of care
I’ve never had cancer so I will never completely understand what my patients are going through. But I’ve seen many patients struggle through the fear of the unknown and uncertainty about the future. And if the diagnosis of cancer wasn’t hard enough, undergoing countless diagnostic tests and procedures and understanding complex treatment options can be extremely overwhelming to patients and their families. When I interact with patients, I try to explain their diagnosis and surgical treatment in a way they understand while at the same time being frank, honest and forthcoming. I think it is vitally important that patients are educated regarding their options and know what to expect. My goal is to ease their fear and provide hope, encouragement and reassurance.
As a surgeon, I am constantly striving to improve the short-term and long-term outcomes of my patients. With the advances in technology over the past few years, we can now perform many complex cancer operations robotically. Robotic technology allows us to perform the same cancer operation through smaller incisions and causes less trauma to the body. This directly translates into less pain after surgery, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications and quicker recoveries.
Why I entered medicine
My inspiration to become a doctor began in high school while taking a human biology class. I was fascinated with the anatomy and physiology of the human body and this fascination continued through my college courses and on to medical school. Then, after I scrubbed my first surgery case as a medical student, I knew I’d found my passion.
It is extremely rewarding to treat cancer patients. It is their courage and strength that keep me going. Almost on a daily basis, I get to tell people they are cancer free, and it is a thrill to share that moment with them. The other great part about being a cancer surgeon is collaborating as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Cancer treatment is so complex and requires the expertise of many health care providers. At LVHN, I’m fortunate to work with incredible medical and radiation oncologists, nurses, dietitians, social workers and other support staff who are committed toward a common goal and provide exceptional and compassionate cancer care.
Community involvement
I’m a firm believer in contributing to my community and helping others. I’m very involved in my church, volunteering several hours a week supporting community service efforts, youth programs, and providing elderly assistance. I’ve also been involved in scouting in various roles off and on for the past 20 years. Currently, I serve as the Cub Scout committee chairman for the pack my boys are in.
Personal interests
When I’m not at the hospital, I’m hanging out with my wonderful wife and four children. We love to play board games, hike, travel, visit amusement parks, play Frisbee and eat ice cream. Aside from medicine and my family, my other passion is snow skiing. My favorite place to be is on the top of a mountain staring down a powder-filled slope.
Education
Undergraduate
Brigham Young University, BS - Zoology, 2002
Medical Training
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, MD - Doctor of Medicine, 2007
Training
Internship 2008
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Residency 2009
General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Residency 2010
General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Residency 2011
General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Research Fellow 2012
General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Residency 2013
General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Chief Resident 2014
General Surgery, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC
Fellowship 2015
Surgical Oncology, University of South Florida H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Fellowship 2016
Surgical Oncology, University of South Florida H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Certifications
American Board of Surgery - Surgery
American Board of Surgery - Complex General Surgical Oncology
Publications & Clinical Trials
Conditions Treated
- Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Melanoma
- Neuroendocrine Tumor
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Sarcoma
- Secondary Malignancies
- Skin Cancer
- Stomach and Small Intestine Cancer
- Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Gastric Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Melanoma
- Neuroendocrine Tumor
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Rectal Cancer
- Sarcoma
- Secondary Malignancies
- Skin Cancer
- Stomach and Small Intestine Cancer
Services Offered
- Cancer Surgery
- Cancer Treatments
- Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Esophageal Surgery
- Excision of Skin Cancer
- Gastrectomy
- HIPEC (Intraabdominal Chemotherapy)
- Intestinal Surgery
- Isolated Limb Infusion
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Laparotomy
- Liver Biopsy
- Liver Surgery
- Lymph Node Biopsy or Excision
- Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)
- Cancer Surgery
- Cancer Treatments
- Colon and Rectal Surgery
- Esophageal Surgery
- Excision of Skin Cancer
- Gastrectomy
- HIPEC (Intraabdominal Chemotherapy)
- Intestinal Surgery
- Isolated Limb Infusion
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Laparotomy
- Liver Biopsy
- Liver Surgery
- Lymph Node Biopsy or Excision
- Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS)
- NanoKnife
- Oncology
- Pancreas Surgery
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Robotic Surgery
- Second Opinion for Surgery
- Second Opinion Service for Cancer
- Skin Cancer Removal
- Soft Tissue Tumor Removal
- Stomach Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- TVEC
- Whipple Procedure
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