A Destination for Cancer Care
With 51 years of experience in oncology, Dr. Shah brings unparalleled expertise, compassion, and dedication to our patients right here at home.
Nik Shah, MD, The First Medical Oncologist of The Mid-Ohio Valley
Memorial Health System is proud to have Medical Oncologist, Nik Shah, MD, as a provider at our Belpre Cancer Center! Dr. Shah is best known for being the very first medical oncologist in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Dr. Shah grew up in Ahmedabad, India with his parents and three brothers before relocating to Parkersburg, West Virginia in 1979. Inspired by a long line of family members who were doctors before him, he knew early on that he wanted to pursue medicine.
As he approaches his 51st year of providing cancer care in the area, Dr. Shah states that he was excited to join Memorial Health System where the technology, resources, and care is all located in one place for patients.
“I’ve never seen a cancer center with all services in one location,” states Dr. Shah, “and I’m excited to be part of a team that provides the best quality of care.”
Dr. Shah reflects that much of his motivation for wanting to go into the field of oncology stems from experiences he encountered during medical school. At that time, he would often visit his uncle, who he describes as his hero, in New York where he practiced medical oncology. While observing his uncle’s career, Dr. Shah realized that his passion for research and education aligned with the growing field of oncology.
After completing his training, Dr. Shah’s noticeable talent and dedication to his practice actually had many mentors pulling him towards the field of cardiology; but keeping the years of shadowing beneath his uncle in mind, he began looking for opportunities in medical oncology.
At first, Dr. Shah considered positions in Boston, Massachusetts and Albany, New York before being referred to an opportunity in Akron, Ohio. During his travel from Boston to Ohio to explore further opportunities, Dr. Shah came across a job posting for a medical oncologist in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
“Radiation oncology had been in the area, but back then, a patient would need a written prescription for chemotherapy treatment,” Dr. Shah reflects.
“I truly just wanted to bring care to the area so patients wouldn’t have to travel to Morgantown or Columbus.”
Nearly 50 years later, Dr. Shah is happy to be with the Memorial Health System team and with everyone who contributes to cancer care.
“I just feel like everyone is dedicated to the patient,” Dr. Shah states.
“We have a dietitian, social workers, mid-level providers, and nurses that are all dedicated to working with us providers to give the best care possible for our patients.”
Dr. Shah continues by saying, “I’m so excited to be here because we provide the best quality of care with the best team of providers. We all know Dr. Cawley for her dedication and work with patient care. We know the radiation oncology providers too, Drs. Vasan and Keyser and Dr. Bhati for surgical oncology.
Rajendra Bhati, MD, explains that welcoming Dr. Shah to the team only further extends the team’s commitment to being a destination for cancer care for the region.
“The spectrum of the team we have here represents not only a younger generation, but also a more senior experienced generation that has seen medicine evolve. Dr. Shah was the first medical oncologist in the Mid- Ohio Valley. He participated in a lot of clinical trials that are responsible for some of the decisions we make today in medicine.
Dr. Bhati continues. “Think about it, I’m just ten years out of training compared to Dr. Shah who is 50 years. I think between all of us, our patients are going to get the comprehensive treatment plan they deserve.”
Memorial Health System is honored to have Dr. Shah on the team. Together, our goal is to provide the kind of care most people would only expect to receive in larger cities—we bring all the technology and world-class providers to you.
