Douglas Flora: Fighting Cancer with Heart

When I sat down with Dr. Douglas Flora during the whirlwind of ASCO, I was not just meeting an oncology leader—I was speaking with a survivor, a strategist, and a powerful advocate for change. As Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, co-founder of the Center for Precision Medicine, and Editor-in-Chief of AI in Precision Oncology, Dr. Flora stands at the intersection of clinical excellence and disruptive innovation.

Despite his busy schedule, he took time to discuss oncology, share insights, and call the cancer community to action.

Hope from ASCO: “I’ve never left more encouraged.”

“I’ve never left ASCO more hopeful,” Flora said. “We saw major advances in tumors that were previously resistant to treatment, and we’re now attacking targets we once considered undruggable.”

As both a physician and cancer survivor, he expressed special interest in developments around multi-cancer early detection (MCED) and minimal residual disease (MRD). But alongside optimism, he did not shy away from addressing challenges: “The recent cuts to cancer research funding are deeply concerning. The implications could be devastating for our patients.”

“Use your voice. This is not political—it’s human.”

In response to funding cuts, Douglas Flora urges action: “We need to vocalize. There’s bipartisan support for cancer research. My plea is that policy-makers approach this with a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. Good cancer research and early detection saves lives and money. It’s good for everyone.”

A Voice for the Silent Majority

Known for his presence on platforms like LinkedIn and in public forums, Flora explained why he speaks out:
“I try to represent those who don’t have time to raise their voices. My colleagues are busy with patient care. But we need physician voices—people who understand the inside of the system.”

He credits his institution for encouraging open dialogue and advocacy. “I’m in a system that wants us to represent our patients well. We care deeply for our community at St. Elizabeth. That support makes all the difference.”

Why He Lifts Others Up

From OncoDaily’s earliest days, Dr. Flora has been a steady supporter. When asked why he so often backs others’ initiatives, his answer was deeply personal:

“I was raised to pour into other people’s buckets. I tell my kids; we make deposits in people’s goodwill accounts without expecting withdrawals. That philosophy has help be build broad and deep networks of friendships, and has helped me make a positive difference with the people around me.”

Now in the later stages of his career, he finds joy in connecting people, building bridges, and empowering the next generation. “Collaboration is everything,” he says. “My goals now are to try and help cancer doctors and patients at scale.”

From Childhood Loss to Lifelong Mission

Dr. Flora’s oncology journey began early. “I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was five. My mother died of breast cancer at 43—that was an inflection point.”

Today, both he and his brother practice medical oncology at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “We fight so other families don’t have to feel what we felt.”

The Weight of Oncology

The hardest part of oncology? “The loss,” Douglas Flora says.

“A full-time oncologist can lose 120 friends a year. You remember the husband’s face, the parent’s tears. It doesn’t get easier, and I’m not sure it should.”

He’s also concerned about physician burnout: “We’re on a conveyor belt, overwhelmed. And I worry about my younger doctors. I burned out at 46, after being diagnosed with my own cancer. We need better wellness pathways—not just for patients, but for ourselves.”

“Our admin teams are cancer fighters too.”

Despite his executive role, Douglas Flora sees administration as mission driven.

“Our admin teams are cancer fighters too. They build systems that reduce complications, avoid hospitalizations, and improve outcomes. Even the café staff writing kind messages on patient lunchbags—everyone plays a role.”

Leadership, for him, is about inspiration and collaboration: “It’s the same skill set—building teams, rallying people around why we do what we do.”

On Change: “A bias toward action”

Flora is known for being a changemaker. Asked how he overcomes resistance:

“I start with a small coalition—the willing ones. Then I work to create the appropriate degree of urgency. While we are talking, 230 people in the U.S. are being diagnosed with cancer. Those patients need us to accelerate progress. We can’t afford to stick to the status quo.”

What sets him apart is his instinct to act. “I have a bias toward action. When I see a problem, I prefer to act.”

The Next Frontier: AI and the Return to Humanity

He is bullish on the promise of AI: “Large language models can help us educate better, detect sepsis earlier, and reduce our documentation burden. Tech can help us return to being human—so we face our patients instead of our keyboards.”

In his role as Editor-in-Chief of AI in Precision Oncology, he is advancing that vision daily. “I want to get doctors back to what they were trained to do: care, connect, and heal.”

Global Collaboration and the Role of Professional Societies

Flora is optimistic about the growing growing cooperation among global oncology organizations. “I’m seeing more collaboration than ever,” he said. “I attended multiple sessions between ASCO and ESMO this week, and I love that leadership teams are now in regular communication.”

He believes global unity is vital in addressing disparities: “We’re all fighting similar challenges—inequitable care, access barriers—and the more we align, the better for both today’s and tomorrow’s patients. The internet, social media, and real-time news-sharing are accelerating this convergence. I expect to see more organizational collaboration in the next six months than we’ve seen in the past six years.”

Family, Faith, and the Fuel That Drives Him

When asked about his personal life, Flora lit up. “I married my college sweetheart. We live in Cincinnati, Ohio, and have three adult children—two future physicians and one aspiring public interest attorney.”

His daughter, currently in medical school, is considering becoming a pediatric oncologist. “I’m proud and scared for her,” he admitted with a smile. “That is tough work.”

Outside of his work at the hospital, he loves to travel the world and has a special bond with his beloved dog, Penny. “The thing I’m most looking forward to after ASCO? Taking her for a walk.”

His driving force is clear: “I want to cure cancer—for everyone. We could save half the cancer patients in the world today just by ensuring access to basic screening—lung, colon, breast, cervical. No new drug needed. Just access.”

He sees his communication efforts as part of that mission. “We My brother and I both curate important content because  most busy oncologists don’t have time to. My hope is that sharing the right information helps them stay aligned with these waves of change.”

Advice for Young Oncologists: Stay Hopeful, Stay Connected

Flora’s message to the next generation is full of encouragement: “There has never been a better day to practice oncology. Even on our worst days now, the outcomes are better than when I started.”

He urges early-career doctors to network widely. “Steel sharpens steel. Surround yourself with brilliant people who push you to grow. If you live only in the clinic, just moving patients along, you will burn out. I did.”

His recommendation? “Find wellness, find hobbies, find mentors—and build your personal board of directors. That network will carry you.”

In His Own Words: Who Is Douglas Flora?

“Eternal optimist. Proud cancer survivor. Happy dad and husband. Hopeful for the future.”

Who’s Next? A Recommendation

Without hesitation, Douglas Flora names Dr. Deborah Patt as his suggested next interview. “She’s one of my close friends and an incredible leader—President of COA, ASCO Board member, MD, MBA, PhD in informatics. And she’s so warm—she’ll know your kids’ names in five minutes.”

Dr. Patt is pushing innovations at scale, using tools like ambient AI support for provider documentation, e-PROs and real-time clinical decision support systems across tens of thousands of patients. “She’s collaborating with global companies and implementing technologies many of us won’t use for another five three years. She’s a force.

In a world changing fast, Douglas Flora brings vision, integrity, and humanity to the forefront of oncology leadership—reminding us all what it means to fight cancer with heart and purpose.

Interview by Gevorg Tamamyan, Editor-in-Chief of OncoDaily