We are pleased to introduce Grey Leonard, MD, the newest surgical oncologist to join Premier Surgical Associates at our Fort Sanders Regional location in Knoxville.! Dr. Leonard brings a wealth of expertise and a genuine passion for patient care to our team. In this interview, we get to know Dr. Leonard as he shares his journey to becoming a surgeon, his dedication to helping patients navigate their cancer treatment, and what he loves about surgical oncology. Plus, we discover how he likes to unwind and enjoy his free time outside the operating room. Welcome, Dr. Leonard! We’re excited to have you with us.
Tell us about yourself and what you do at Premier Surgical.
My name is Dr. Grey Leonard. I’m a surgical oncologist, and I work for Premier Surgical Associates at the Fort Sanders location. As a surgical oncologist, I focus on mainly cancers of the abdomen. I treat hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancer in addition to esophageal, gastric and small bowel tumors. In addition, I treat adrenal masses and retroperitoneal sarcomas. My special focus is hepatobiliary, pancreatic cancer, and HPV. Those are cancers of the liver, bile ducts and the pancreas.
Tell us about your philosophy of care.
I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy, and I graduated back in 2004. The cadets had values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do. I’ve taken those values with me through the years and my time in the Air Force and apply it to what I do. I apply those values to my patient care now. I treat all my patients with integrity. I make sure that they are taken care of and that the care I provide for them is done at the highest level.
Why did you choose to become a doctor?
The military heritage runs deep in my family. Both my grandfathers served in World War II, Marines and Navy. My father was in the Army, and he flew attack helicopters in Vietnam. And my brother just retired as a two star. You may ask why I’m not flying planes right now, and that’s because shortly after I graduated from the academy, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
I was given a medical discharge. I had to make a change in my life’s path, and I chose medicine. I did that because I was able to shadow a general surgeon in the small town where I was stationed. I was amazed at what he was able to do for his patients and how he was able to take care of their surgical problem, take care of them afterwards, and counsel them through the whole disease process. I was blown away by what he was able to do, and I wanted to do that too
Tell us about your educational background.
I met my wife and we got married one week before starting medical school at Mosani College of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. From there, we moved out to Texas to complete general surgery residency at UT Southwestern. Upon graduation, I completed a complex surgical oncology fellowship at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I found myself over the mountains a little bit further west.
Why did you choose surgical oncology as your specialty?
It’s complicated, involves many different types of therapies, and involves surgical expertise. And it’s something that I just enjoy doing. I love surgery! I feel like that is what I’ve been called to do, and I feel like it’s the best way that I can help patients. I’m sort of the quarterback on the team of care, working with the different specialists, calling the plays. Looking at the big picture, I want to be able to treat patients well in the operating room, get them through the procedure well, and then see them along for the full, comprehensive care that they require.
Why did you choose Premier Surgical?
We have always been somewhat in the southeast, and we very much enjoy the culture, the weather, and this was a great job! I had the opportunity to come here and work with Doctor Midis, who’s my senior partner, and learn from him and work with the rest of my partners, who are all wonderful people. I think it’s rare to find a group of surgeons working in private practice that treat each other so well and work together as a team.
What do you do in your spare time?
I have four children and one on the way. So, that’s going to be very exciting! We love children, obviously! One of the things that I like to do when I’m able to get home is to get all the kids out in the garage, and work out with my son. I have been building up a nice home gym, trying to raise strong kids and give mommy some time to decompress a little bit before we all have dinner.
Is there anything else you would like your patients to know about you?
I like to be able to help patients through the whole process because it’s a difficult and oftentimes a very long one. I feel like the surgeries can be technically demanding, and I feel like I can provide them with that expert care.
Grey Leonard, MD, is a Surgical Oncologist at Premier Surgical Fort Sanders in Knoxville, TN. He is accepting new patients. To request an appointment with Dr. Leonard, please call (865) 524-3695 or visit https://www.premiersurgical.com/fort-sanders-appointment-request/