Care Team

Justin Favaro, MD, PhD A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Favaro received his MD and PhD from The Medical University of South Carolina following an eight-year dual degree program. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society during his time in medical school. He completed his internal medicine training at the University of Texas, Southwestern in Dallas, TX, and his fellowship training in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Favaro is board certified in both Medical Oncology and Hematology. Dr. Favaro’s research experience includes basic science work in viral replication and tumor cell growth, as well as clinical research, focused on the development of new treatment for cancer. He has written a PhD dissertation, co-authored a book on pharmacology, and been an author on multiple publications in peer-reviewed medical journals. Dr. Favaro is a principal investigator on several clinical trials currently open in his practice. Charlotte Magazine has named Dr. Favaro one of the Top Doctors in Hematology/Oncology. His professional interests include clinical care of patients with cancer and blood disorders. He has served on multiple advisory boards as well as served as a discussant in continuing medical education videos for Research to Practice. He also develops and participants in continuing medical education programs and serves as expert witness in medical malpractice cases. Dr. Favaro believes that physician-managed practices are best suited to offer patient-oriented, efficient care. Physician autonomy improves the value of the care delivered and leads to greater patient satisfaction. Outside of the clinical setting, Dr. Favaro has a strong interest in health care policy. He has served on the board of Community Oncology Alliance and has lobbied in Washington, DC on behalf of community oncology. Dr. Favaro led in the development of the first local chapter of the Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) and he has served as president of the North Carolina Oncology Association. Dr. Favaro has spoken at support group meetings for patients with colon cancer and multiple myeloma and has participated in local fundraising races for cancer. Dr. Favaro is married with two children and enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with his family. Undergraduate Clemson University Clemson, SC Medical School Medical University of South Carolina Charleston, SC Internship and Residency University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX Fellowship Training – Hematology/Oncology Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC Board Certifications Medical Oncology Hematology

Nasfat Shehadeh, MD

Dr. Nasfat Shehadeh is board certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology, Genetic Cancer Risk Assessment, and Internal Medicine. His clinical interests include GU/ GI oncology and head/neck cancer. Dr. Shehadeh has been voted a top doctor in medical oncology for years 2019-2022 by Charlotte Magazine. He graduated from the medical school at Jordan University of Science and Technology in Irbid, Jordan with honors on the Dean’s list. After his residency and fellowship at Wayne State University in Detroit, he held various academic appointments as a fellow and professor at the University of Minnesota, Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, and University of Toledo. Before serving cancer patients in Charlotte, he was the medical director at Mercy Cancer Centers in Toledo and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He and his family migrated south when he took on the clinical role of developing a cancer program with Novant Health Cancer Specialists starting in 2015. In 2020, Dr. Shehadeh joined the oncology team at OSC. Having worked previously in a hospital-based cancer program, he has seen the vast difference of personalized care that can be obtained in an independent oncology practice. The setting is patient-focused with access to care that is broadened across all the hospital systems and not being limited to just one. Dr. Shehadeh brings a range of clinical expertise in all areas of solid tumor and blood diseases. He has overseen many clinical research trials in various cancer therapies, including immunotherapy, metastasized cellular structure, stem cell transplant, and blood disorders, to name a few. In the past few years he has been presenting to various cancer groups on specific topics in lung cancer, breast cancer, clinical trials, colon cancer, and multiple myeloma. He is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Community Oncology Alliance, and locally the Independent Physicians of the Carolinas. Dr. Shehadeh is married with four children. In his leisure time, he enjoys singing and music. You can also find him spending time camping with his kids, hiking, playing ping-pong, and chess. Dr. Shehadeh is a dedicated volunteer at the Shifa Clinic, which provides free health care for those in need. Medical School Jordan University of Science and Technology Irbid, Jordan Internship Zarka Teaching Hospital Zarka, Jordan Internal Medicine Residency Wayne State University Detroit Medical Center Detroit, Michigan Fellowship Training – Hematology/Oncology Karmanos Cancer Institute Wayne State University Detroit Medical Center Detroit, Michigan Board Certifications Medical Oncology Hematology Internal Medicine

Jennifer Dallas, MD

Dr. Jennifer Dallas has over a decade of experience in Hematology and Oncology. She is board certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine. In addition to general oncology and blood disorders, her clinical interests include thoracic, colorectal, and brain cancers. Dr. Dallas has been voted TOP DOCTOR 2022 as a medical oncologist by Charlotte Magazine. Her passion for oncology and hematology stems from the journey with her mother through several cancer diagnoses. A Georgia native, she graduated from the Medical College of Georgia and completed an internship, residency, and fellowship at the University of Florida. In 2015, she moved to Charlotte where she and two other oncologists, one being our own Nasfat Shehadeh MD, pioneered the hospital’s first cancer care clinic at Novant Health. Dr. Dallas and her husband, who is a physician in neonatology, and two daughters enjoy the outdoors. She delights in running, and she loves dogs, especially her rescue Rhodesian Ridgebacks.Medical School Medical College of Georgia Augusta, GA

Internship and Residency University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL

Fellowship Training – Hematology/Oncology University of Florida College of Medicine Gainesville, FL

Board Certifications Medical Oncology Hematology Internal Medicine

Kaitlyn O’Keefe, DO

Oncologist Dr. Kaitlyn O'Keefe practices at the Randolph Rd location. Dr. O’Keefe specializes in general oncology, staying up-to-date with all different disease states and new treatment developments. She has a special interest in caring for breast and gynecological cancer patients, as well as patients with gastrointestinal cancers such as colon, pancreatic, and liver cancers. Dr. O’Keefe also expresses a keen interest in enrolling patients in clinical trials to advance the science, particularly when these trials offer improved treatment options. Moreover, she is dedicated to enhancing the care, comfort, and overall quality of life for every patient throughout their journey, ensuring dignity, grace, and peace at all stages of care. Dr. O’Keefe treats the whole person, taking a patient-centered approach to care that is based on listening intently and understanding what patients want to achieve from treatment. Dr. O’Keefe said, “I am acutely aware of the impact that a patient's cancer diagnosis and treatment journey can have on them as individuals and for their family. I am passionate about making a difference in my patients’ lives. My patients and their family members are the most important people in the room. I am responsible for educating them with relevant information about their disease, alleviating their concerns at each stage in the process, and developing a high-quality, cost-effective treatment plan that best fits their individual needs. I am committed to making each patient feel empowered by the information provided to them and supported by the expertise of their care team.” Dr. O'Keefe's received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. She then completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Carolinas Medical Center and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute. During her fellowship, Dr. O'Keefe was named Chief Fellow. Outside the office, Dr. O'Keefe enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and extended family including her nieces and nephews, traveling internationally to new places and cultures, and staying active by running, hiking with their dog, and swimming. She is on a quest to become a better cook, become fluent in Spanish, and continue to be active in global medical mission trips in the future. Medical School Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Internship and Residency Carolinas Medical Center

Fellowship Training  Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute

Expertise Medical Oncology

Hadley S. DeBerg, FNP-C

A native South Carolinian, Hadley obtained her BSN from Clemson University and then her nurse practitioner education at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC. She previously worked Urgent Care and Family Medicine in SC, as well as a summer Medical Mission trip to Romania in 2012 to treat patients at 10 medical clinics in various villages. When she’s not caring for patients, Hadley enjoys the outdoors, hiking, reading and spending time with her family. Hadley will be working with our oncologists through patient care in chemo teaches, follow-up intervals, disease management, and survivorship summaries. Nursing School: Clemson University, Clemson, SC Nurse Practitioner Program: Francis Marion University, Florence, SC Certifications: Family Certified Nurse Practitioner

Brooke A. Davis, FNP-C, OCN

Brooke relocated to Charlotte from Pennsylvania after obtaining her Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and then her BSN from Queens University in Charlotte. Once in Charlotte, she worked as an oncology nurse and obtained her certification, OCN, Oncology Certified Nurse and joined Oncology Specialists of Charlotte as first a chemo nurse, and then advanced to the position of lead chemo nurse for several years. Brooke acquired her nurse practitioner education at George Washington University. She and her husband have a daughter, and two sons, and a dog Fleurie. She has trained in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and OB/GYN to fulfill her educational rotations in managing acute and chronic disease states in outpatient settings. Brooke will be working with our oncologists through patient care in chemo teaches, follow-up intervals, disease management, and survivorship summaries. Nursing School: Queens University, Charlotte, NC Nurse Practitioner Program: George Washington University Certifications: Oncology Certified Nurse Family Certified Nurse Practitioner

Amy G. Kemmerlin, FNP-C

Amy started her career with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from UNC-Wilmington. For 20 years she worked as a nurse in various roles and health institutions. She worked for ten years in pediatric oncology and pediatric stem cell transplant.  She has experience in ER, labor & delivery, and spent five years as an administrative house supervisor. She has worked all over the Carolinas, including Duke Hospital, Atrium Pineville, and the Medical University of South Carolina.

While her children were in school, she transitioned to the role of the full-time school nurse. It was there that she felt the calling to advance her nursing career and she went to the University of SC in Columbia for her family nurse practitioner education, training, and certification.

Amy enjoys family time on the lake boating, tubing, and water skiing with her husband and two children, one in middle school and the other in high school. For winding down, she enjoys a nice walk and reading books.

She will help guide patients with disease management, chemo teaches, and survival summaries.

Nursing School: University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Nurse Practitioner Program: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC Certifications: Family Certified Nurse Practitioner

Valentina G. Grinchak, FNP-C

Valentina started her nursing career in Charlotte at Queens University and entered patient care in women’s and children’s health services at Novant Health. After getting her bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC she entered the field of oncology when she joined the medical oncology unit at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Upon moving to Charlotte with her husband, also a nurse, and their two young daughters, she continued oncology care in the oncology/hematology in-patient unit at Novant Health Presbyterian main hospital. While at Novant Health oncology, she would frequently chat with our very own Dr. Nasfat Shehadeh. This is how she learned about Oncology Specialists of Charlotte. We are pleased to welcome Valentina to our NP team of collaborative medical oncology care, and she is thrilled to be working with Dr. Shehadeh again. Since 2008, Valentina has been involved with medical mission trips to Moldova, her birth country, Ukraine, and Italy. Locally in NC she has been a camp nurse at various nonprofit camps.
Outside of the office, Valentina can be found spending time with her extended family. She is one of seven siblings, and they treasure celebrating holidays and birthdays together. Other interests include cooking, baking, and walking. Valentina will be working with our oncologists through patient care in chemo
teaches, follow-up intervals, disease management, and survivorship summaries.
Nursing School:
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Nurse Practitioner Program:
South University, Savannah, GA
Certifications: Family Certified Nurse Practitioner