FirstHealth of the Carolinas is excited to announce the arrival of Chasse Bailey-Dorton, M.D., to the FirstHealth cancer care team. Dr. Bailey-Dorton will lead FirstHealth Cancer Center’s new Integrative Oncology & Survivorship Program, a groundbreaking service that offers evidence-informed integrative therapies to support patients’ cancer treatment. Working in close collaboration with each patient’s oncologist who directs and oversees the primary cancer treatment plan, Dr. Bailey-Dorton helps patients manage symptoms, improve quality of life and foster overall wellness.

Dr. Bailey-Dorton’s journey into integrative oncology was influenced by her own experience as a patient. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 and went through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and endocrine therapy. I was drawn to this field first to help myself and,

ultimately, to better help my patients,” she explained in a press release.

Dr. Bailey-Dorton earned her medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine, completed her family medicine residency at ECU Health Medical Center, and pursued advanced training in integrative medicine through a fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative

Medicine in Tucson, Arizona.

Integrative oncology combines mind and body practices, natural products and lifestyle changes, alongside conventional cancer treatments to optimize health, improve quality of life and enhance clinical outcomes. The program will offer patients evidence-based guidance on managing treatment side effects, making lifestyle changes, using supplements safely and more.

Dr. Bailey-Dorton emphasized the importance of integrative oncology in modern cancer care.

“Integrative oncology needs to become standard of care for our patients. Some studies have shown improved outcomes and certainly improved patient satisfaction,” she said in a press release.

Research in the field supports this approach, indicating that integrative methods combined with traditional treatments can significantly enhance patient experiences and outcomes.

This new program is unique for a community hospital, as Dr. Bailey-Dorton concluded, “Most major cancer centers in the U.S. have integrative oncology and survivorship services available to their patients. Developing this program in a community hospital is groundbreaking and demonstrates

the commitment to excellent patient care here in our community.”