Published on August 28, 2019
For Kan Huang, MD, PhD, MS, a Phelps Health medical oncologist and hematologist, becoming a doctor is something she has in common with many of her relatives who are around the same age as her.
"My generation, including my younger brother and many of my cousins…we all got advanced degrees or went to medical school," Dr. Huang said.
In fact, her younger brother who also earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is completing his fellowship training in the Los Angeles, California, area.
Dr. Huang is originally from China, and several years ago, her little brother was sick and brought to the United States for treatments. She remembers visiting him, and seeing how the doctors cared for her sibling inspired Dr. Huang to become a physician herself.
After graduating in 2001 from medical school at Guangxi Medical University in Nanning, Guangxi, China, she completed her residency training in internal medicine in 2012 at Hofstra North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York.
In addition, she completed a hematology/oncology fellowship in 2015 at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. Oncology is the study of cancer, and hematology is the study of blood disorders.
She also holds a PhD in biomedical sciences, specializing in nutrition, and a Master of Science (MS) in exercise science. She earned both of these degrees from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
Dr. Huang has been seeing patients at the Phelps Health Delbert Day Cancer Institute (DDCI) since April 2019. Before she joined the Phelps Health team, Dr. Huang practiced at the University of Missouri Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology-Medical Oncology, in Columbia. She also practiced medicine in New Jersey.
Board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology, Dr. Huang has four years of working experience treating adult patients with all types of cancer. Her special interests include breast, lung, gastrointestinal (GI) and skin cancer, but these are not the only types she can treat.
Dr. Huang, along with all of the other providers at the DDCI, can help with many types of cancers. While they may refer certain complex cases to other cancer care facilities, often patients can still receive their treatments, such as chemotherapy, at the DDCI.
Her decision to specialize in cancer care was due partly to a mentor, Kanti Rai, MD, a former president of the American Society of Hematology.
"I really like this field," she said of oncology. "The advancements that have been made in cancer treatments have really changed the lives of patients. With more options for cancer treatments nowadays, such as immunotherapy, this helps improve the quality of people’s lives."
Since coming to Phelps Health, Dr. Huang has appreciated getting to know her patients and building professional relationships with them.
"No two types of cancer are treated the same, and no two cancer patients are treated the same," Dr. Huang said. At the DDCI, Phelps Health providers like Dr. Huang offer personalized care and treatment plans for each patient.
She truly enjoys caring for people living in communities throughout south-central Missouri.
"I really like Rolla, and I really enjoy serving this community," she said. In her spare time, she enjoys many hobbies including Zumba dance, hiking, kayaking and cycling.
Dr. Huang is accepting new patients at the Delbert Day Cancer Institute.
Meet Dr. Huang
To learn more about Dr. Huang, or cancer care services at Phelps Health, call (573) 458-3324.