Melissa Zoumberos, MD

I always wanted a career in medicine and started as an RN in acute care oncology. I loved connecting with patients and making an impact on their lives. \n After 11 years in oncology, I had the opportunity to specialize as a gastrointestinal (GI) cancer nurse navigator and work closely with the surgical team. I was instantly hooked and fascinated by the GI system and the surgical interventions used to address GI issues. I pursued my acute care nurse practitioner degree and knew I wanted to continue focusing on the GI system and surgery. \n My approach to healthcare has always been to treat the person - not just the problem. Each patient is an individual with needs and goals. It is my job to collaborate with each patient and help create a treatment plan that not only delivers excellent outcomes, but targets what my patient feels is important in their healthcare. \n I am board-certified in acute care for the adult and geriatric populations and certified as a surgical first assistant, meaning I have specialty training that allows me to assist in the operating room. \n Today, I have two decades of experience as an acute care RN and nurse practitioner with a focus on acute care oncology, gastrointestinal malignancy and colorectal surgery. \n I am proud to have been born and raised in the Asheville, North Carolina, area. I have a wonderful husband and an amazing son who plays competitive baseball. So, we spend lots of time on the baseball field. When I'm not working or on the ball field, I enjoy being outdoors, hiking and spending time with friends. As a family, we love to travel and explore new places.

As a surgeon, I have been trained to help people by excising and repairing. However, as a surgical oncologist, the most important part of my job is to determine whether surgery will actually help someone. This is often a balance of risk and benefits, and is different for every person who has their own goals and risk tolerance. Surgery is often a crucial component of an attempt to cure many cancers; however, we are sometimes able to offer surgery to prolong life or improve quality of life, even in the absence of cure. \n I have wanted to be a surgeon for as long as I can remember. My father is a surgeon, which certainly helped inspire and guide my career as a surgical oncologist. I love surgical oncology because I get to build a long-term relationship with a patient. Each patient also may present his or her own unique presentation for which I can work with other oncologic specialties and the most recently published data to come up with a specific treatment plan. \n I have training in complex malignancies, offer minimally invasive/robotic surgery, and value open communication and joint decision-making with my patients. I attend multiple regional tumor boards each week and national conferences yearly. \n I graduated magna cum laude from Purdue University's honors program with Phi Beta Kappa honors. I moved on to Northwestern University in Chicago where I served as administrative chief general surgery resident during my general surgery training there. After completing specialty fellowship training at University of Tennessee, I traveled to Asheville with my wife and three children, where we can hike, and I can fly-fish.

I chose to be a nurse practitioner because I love helping people get back to feeling well. After earning my nursing degree from Western Carolina University, I went on to earn a master's degree in nursing from Emory University. \n My colleagues and I take pride in providing top-quality care across a broad region. I stay updated on the best practices in my specialty by maintaining memberships with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and the International Anal Neoplasia Society. \n I have lived in Asheville since 2004 and love calling this part of North Carolina home. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two children, traveling and soaking in the mountain air with friends and family.