Heather Dawn Pacholke, MD

Dr. Pacholke is board certified in radiology with a specialty in radiology oncology (cancer). She has clinical interests in cancers of the lung, breast, head and neck and gastrointestinal tract.

Dr. Pacholke is the medical director of radiation oncology at Atrium Health Hayworth Cancer Center. She is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

She chose to specialize in radiation oncology because she has a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of individuals faced with a cancer diagnosis.

Dr. Pacholke received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame and her medical degree from Indiana University. She completed residency at the University of Florida.

As an investigator, she is interested in exploring practical aspects of cancer treatment and delivery, including strategies to decrease anxiety or pain during treatment. She is involved in clinical research in which she enrolls patients on clinical trials with an emphasis on lung cancer, head and neck cancer, breast cancer and metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread).

Dr. Pacholke loves to spend her time away from work enjoying the outdoors. Her favorite activities are hiking, biking, camping and kayaking with her husband and children.