Christian Birkedal, MD

Christian Birkedal, MD, completed a surgical residency at Baptist Health System in Birmingham, Ala. While there, he received the Tinsley-Harrison scholarship for academic performance and the Gross Anatomy Instructor honor for academic performance, leadership and teaching ability.

He earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama’s School of Medicine and his bachelor’s in biochemistry from Florida State University.

Before joining Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Birkedal served as medical director of the Wound Treatment Center and chairman of the surgery department at Capital Regional Medical Center in Tallahassee.

He has presented nationally on several topics, including “Biopsy Fragment Supernates: A New Modality for the Rapid Diagnosis of Lung Cancer” and has written textbook chapters for Emedicine Textbook of Surgery. Back to Main Page.

Paul Hoover

As associate vice president at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Paul Hoover oversees both the Oceanside campus and the Cancer Institute.

Paul received his bachelor's in business administration from Southern Adventist University and his master's in business administration
from Webster University in Orlando.

He joined Adventist Health System, parent company of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, in 2003 at Florida Hospital Orlando.

Prior to moving to Florida Hospital Memorial, he also worked at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares, Florida, and Hugeley Memorial Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He has served in various roles including finance manager, management resident and as former director of Florida Hospital Memorial’s Cancer Institute.

Paul is passionate about service to others and adding value to those organizations in which he is involved. He has served on the American Cancer Society (ACS) unit boards for Volusia and Flagler counties since 2008, and as online chair for ACS' Relay for Life from 2007 to 2009. Paul has been involved with Burleson Pathfinders and Junior Achievement. For the last three years he has led Bible study at the Seventh Day Adventist Church and is active in youth leadership ministry. Back to Main Page.

Michael J. Kelley, MD, PhD

Michael J. Kelley, MD, PhD, is a board-certified medical oncologist who has practiced in Ormond Beach since 1995.

Dr. Kelley is a member of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center's Cancer Institute and is co-chairman of the Cancer
Care Committee.

He earned his bachelor's in biology from Boston College and his doctorate in pharmacology and medical degree from The University of Louisville.

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute of Harvard Medical School, he was a medical researcher and went on to complete an oncology fellowship at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Dr. Kelley is a diplomate in internal medicine and in medical oncology from the American Board of Internal Medicine. He received the AMA Physician Recognition Award and has been named a Distinguished Physician by the Florida Medical Association.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Kelley has published several articles in professional journals and remains involved in both state and national professional medical societies.
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Ronald Krochak, MD

A native of Toronto, Ronald Krochak, MD, earned his medical degree from the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. He completed training in radiation oncology at the University of Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital, followed by a one-year clinical fellowship. Dr. Krochak served as an associate professor in radiation oncology at the University of Virginia before relocating to Central Florida in 1985.

In 1995, Dr. Krochak moved to Ormond Beach to open the Memorial Cancer Care Center, now known as Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Cancer Institute.

Dr. Krochak also received specialized training in vascular brachytherapy for the prevention of arterial restenosis and in prostate brachytherapy, a technique he introduced to Memorial Cancer Care Center in 1996.

Dr. Krochak is board certified in radiation oncology.
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Karin Bigman, MD

Since 1995, Karin Bigman, MD, has served as a hematologist and oncologist with Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center's Cancer Institute. Dr. Bigman has also served as medical director for Hospice Care of Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial.

She earned a bachelor's from Boston University and received her medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Bigman became board certified in oncology in 2007, and also is board certified in hospice, palliative care and hematology.

She is involved in numerous medical activities including the American Board of Internal Medicine, Cancer Care Committee of Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center and the Florida Medical Association.

Before joining Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, she initiated and coordinated a new stem cell therapy program while practicing in Connecticut. Also during her time in Connecticut, Dr. Bigman performed lectures on Colorectal cancer and became an advocate speaker for Genetic testing for Malignancy.
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Ronald Rasmussen, MD

Ronald Rasmussen, MD, received his bachelor's in biochemistry and mathematics from the University of California. He earned a doctorate of chiropractic medicine from Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and his medical degree from Michigan State University (MSU).

While at MSU, Dr. Rasmussen received numerous letters of commendation and clerkship honors. At UCLA, he spent three years in medical research in the School of Medicine where he was responsible for ground breaking research of atherosclerosis. He completed his general surgery residency at Grand Rapids Area Medical Education Corporation and received the GRAMEC Day Trauma Research Award in April 1999.

Prior to joining Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Rasmussen served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy and as a general surgeon at the Naval Ambulatory Care Center in Groton, Connecticut.

During his tenure, he was deployed to the Middle East where he practiced general surgery with specialists from other countries. He was awarded medals, including the National Defense Medal and the Naval and Marine Corp Commendation Medal. While serving his country, Dr. Rasmussen was deployed to Africa for a humanitarian mission and Operation Enduring Freedom.

From 2007 to 2009, Dr. Rasmussen served as Chief of Surgery at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, formerly Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial. Back to Main Page.

Latanya Ruiz, MSW

For the past four years, Latanya Ruiz has worked as a oncology social worker with Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center. She holds master's in social work and criminal justice, and obtained her bachelor’s from the University at Albany in New York.

Latanya provides assistance to patients
diagnosed with cancer, including financial and medical support, in addition to counseling services. Additionally, she oversees the cancer institute’s support groups, which vary according to need and meet several times each month.
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Debra Trovato

Debra Trovato serves as director of the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Cancer Institute. In this role, she oversees the Institute’s radiation oncology, cancer research, cancer registry and strategic service line development.

Previously, Trovato served as a practice
manager with the hospital’s HealthCare Partners. As practice manager, she was responsible for the day-to-day management of the medical oncology program. Before joining Florida Hospital, Trovato ran her own practice management consultancy. Also, she served as an administrator for Florida Oral and Facial Surgical Associates and Health Boulevard Ambulatory Surgical Center.

Trovato is a member of the Medical Oncology Manager Association of Florida Large Group Network of Administrators, Medical Group Managers Association and the Millennium Women Foundation.

She holds a bachelor’s in business from the College of DuPage of Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Back to Main Page.

Christopher Windham, MD

A fellow of the Society of Surgical Oncologists and the American College of Surgeons, Christopher Windham, MD, is a surgical oncologist with Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s Cancer Institute.

Dr. Windham treats breast, colorectal, melanoma, gastric, pancreatic, esophageal, liver, sarcoma and gastrointestinal cancers. Using a multidisciplinary approach, he works closely medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and ancillary services to provide comprehensive and compassionate cancer care.

Dr. Windham fulfilled fellowships at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa. He completed a general surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center, also in Houston. He earned his medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School.

Dr. Windham serves as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Florida State University’s College of Medicine in Daytona Beach. He also served as an assistant professor of surgical oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center and Tampa General Hospital and as a clinical preceptor at The University of Texas Health Science Center.

The author of numerous articles, book chapters and abstracts, Dr. Windham has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology and the Journal of Surgical Oncology. Additionally, he has presented clinical and basic science cancer research at many national and international conferences.

Dr. Windham is a member of the American Association of Cancer Researchers, American Society of Clinical Oncologists, American Society of Breast Surgeons, Connective Tissue Oncology Society, Society of Surgical Oncologists and the Volusia County Medical Society. Back to Main Page.

  
Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Cancer Institute  301 Memorial Parkway, Daytona Beach, FL 32117