My wife, Dr. Anu Chaudhry, who practices obstetrics and gynecology at McLeod, and I came to Florence 17 years ago. Having completed our residencies and fellowships in New York City, we spent three years working in the underserved areas of the Appalachian in Kentucky. Following this service, we considered a number of different opportunities but ultimately decided to move to Florence because of its impressive medical facilities and its family-friendly environment.

With my practice in oncology, I have been very involved with McLeod Health since our arrival in Florence. I believe that it is "the cancer hospital" for this region as it is the only American College of Surgeons accredited cancer center in this area.  This accreditation is only given to medical centers that demonstrate excellence in key elements that are crucial to the multi–disciplinary approach in treatment of a complex group of diseases commonly referred to as cancer.

I am very proud that McLeod Health has made the commitment to unify and improve upon this excellence by building the new McLeod Center for Cancer Treatment and Research. We are fully aware that the number of patients who will be diagnosed in the coming decades will increase dramatically as the baby boomers age.  The facilities, technology and team approach that has been established at McLeod will be ready to take on this challenge in the coming years.
As an oncologist, I have a personal stake in the care that impacts my patients. Because Anu and I learned that philanthropy would be needed to enhance the care for our cancer patients, we made the decision to personally give to help build the new cancer center.  We were also concerned about the future of the program and were pleased to be informed by the McLeod Foundation that we could make a planned gift that would help cancer patients for years to come.

Through the years, I have participated in numerous Foundation campaigns which have benefitted cancer patients. Having seen the impact charitable giving can have on their care, I accepted an invitation to join the McLeod Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Therefore, I ask you to please consider your commitment to the cause of battling cancer. If cancer has touched your life or someone you love, I encourage you to give generously to support our cancer center, and learn how you, too, can make a legacy commitment to the future care available to our region.

For more information on the Legacy Giving, click here.