MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Orangeburg

Tammie Smoak is a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in hematology and oncology at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center in Orangeburg, South Carolina. She earned an Associate of Science in nursing from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in 2003, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg in 2013, and a Master of Science in nursing, with a focus in family nurse practitioner studies, from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 2022. Smoak is certified as a family nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (FNP-BC) and as an oncology certified nurse by the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (OCN). She has more than 20 years of experience providing quality patient care across emergency, surgical, occupational health, and hematology/oncology settings. A dynamic team leader, Smoak excels at building rapport with patients, families, care teams and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. She blends advanced clinical skills with a holistic approach to ensure patients and their families receive compassionate care, support, referrals and resources tailored to their individual needs.

Purva Sharma, MD FACP is a board-certified medical oncologist with experience in the diagnosis, treatment and research of solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. She previously served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, where she was actively involved in clinical education, patient care and cancer research. Dr. Sharma earned her medical degree from R.C.S.M. Government Medical College in Kolhapur, India. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Miami-Palm Beach Regional Consortium and later completed her fellowship in Medical Oncology at East Tennessee State University where she also served as chief fellow. She has been nominated for the Caduceus Award for Outstanding Fellow of the year in 2020. She is also the recipient of the Dr. Thomas G Ronald Awardfor Excellence in the care of the cancer patient for the year 2020-2021. An accomplished researcher, Dr. Sharma has authored numerous peer- reviewed publications in esteemed journals including the Lancet, British Medical Journal and JAMA and has presented at several national medical conferences. She has served as a site principal investigator for clinical trials. She has also been a peer reviewer for leading medical journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and BMJ Case Reports. She is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a fellow of the Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research. Dr. Sharma's professional memberships include the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, and Society of Hematologic Oncology. Her clinical interests include solid tumor oncology, hematologic malignancies, cancer-related clinical research and improving quality of care in oncology practice. Outside of her clinical and academic work, Dr. Sharma is dedicated to mentoring young physicians and volunteering in healthcare initiatives to support underserved communities.

Chris Y. Brunson, MD, is a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist with over 35 years of experience in academic medicine, clinical practice, and research. Dr. Brunson has held faculty positions at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Her work has consistently focused on hematology and oncology, with special emphasis on sickle cell disease, malignant hematology, and outreach to underserved populations. She is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Throughout her career, Dr. Brunson has participated in numerous extramural grants and research studies, contributing significantly to advancements in sickle cell disease treatment, cancer therapies, and genetic disease services. Her research interests include erythropoiesis modulation in sickle cell disease, the treatment of advanced cancers with novel agents, and the genetic characterization of hematologic conditions. Dr. Brunson has also played a pivotal role in community outreach, previously directing adult sickle cell clinics and promoting awareness of minority health disparities in hematology. In addition to her research and clinical expertise, Dr. Brunson has made substantial contributions to medical education. She has served on cancer committees, curriculum committees, and lectured extensively to junior medical students and physician assistant programs.

Hope Shay, MSN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and oncology certified nurse with over a decade of experience in nursing and healthcare leadership. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina, graduating *summa cum laude*, and completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Hope's clinical training spans family practice, women's health, pediatrics, internal medicine, and urgent care. She has provided compassionate care across the lifespan, from newborn well-child visits to managing complex chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. She is skilled in preventative screenings, acute care management, and minor procedures, and is passionate about patient education and empowering individuals to take an active role in their health. In addition to her clinical work, Hope serves as program oncology director at MUSC Health in Orangeburg, SC, where she leads staff development, program growth, and quality initiatives to ensure excellence in cancer care delivery. Her background as an oncology certified nurse and emergency department RN has given her extensive experience in critical care, patient advocacy, and evidence-based practice. Hope is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care rooted in compassion, respect, and clinical expertise. She takes pride in building lasting relationships with patients and families, supporting them through both routine and complex health journeys.