Marin General Hospital Medical Oncologist Recognized at Zero Breast Cancer’s 14th Annual Honor Thy Healer Awards Program
GREENBRAE, CA — ”Gratitude; Service; Courage.” David S. Gullion, MD, medical oncologist at Marin Specialty Care/Marin Cancer Institute and Medical Director of Marin General Hospital’s Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, invoked these three words to describe his response to being honored as the “2013 Healing Professional” by Zero Breast Cancer (ZBC), a nationally recognized, community-based non-profit organization in Marin County dedicated to prevention and finding the causes of breast cancer through local participation in the scientific research process. Dr. Gullion was recognized for his “humanistic connection to women with breast cancer and for his leadership in integrative oncology care."
The award was presented at the 14th Annual Honor Thy Healer program on Thursday, May 9, 2013, at the Mill Valley Community Center.
Dr. Gullion expressed deep gratitude to ZBC for the award and for the organization’s dedication to breast cancer advocacy; to his children for their patience and acceptance of the sacrifices inherent in his medical career, and to his wife Linda Joy for her love, friendship, compassion and support throughout his career. He also spoke of the importance of service, saying he strives “to be that helping hand to the patient on their journey.” And he saluted cancer patients who “receive a devastating diagnosis, go through chemo, surgery and radiation, all with the courage to accept and deal with disappointment.”
Dr. Bobbie Head, a colleague of Dr. Gullion, described him as creating a “cocoon of caring” for patients. “He knows that psychic health is as important as physical health in their journey,” she says.
Dr. Gullion has been practicing oncology and hematology in Marin since 1992, and created the Marin Specialty Care Integrative Oncology Program, which combines complementary modalities with expert medical treatment. As Medical Director of the Center for Integrative Health and Wellness at Marin General Hospital, he oversees a comprehensive program of psychosocial support, nutrition counseling, patient navigation, exercise consultation and complementary therapies for persons with cancer, breast cancer and other medical conditions.
A graduate of Kenyon College in Ohio and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Dr. Gullion completed his medical residency at UCSF, serving as chief resident at Moffitt Hospital. During that time he was a Clinical Associate in oncology and hematology at the National Cancer Institute at NIH. He returned to private practice and taught oncology at UCSF where he administered the Continuing Medical Education department.
Dr. Gullion and his family reside in Kentfield.
Marin General Hospital’s Marin Cancer Institute (MCI) is the county’s premier cancer treatment center and has attained national recognition for its innovative approach and quality of care. In addition to its three-year Accreditation and Outstanding Achievement Award from The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS), the physicians of MCI are one of only 100 cancer practices nationwide to receive QOPI (Quality Oncology Practice Initiative) Certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO).
The Center for Integrative Health & Wellness (CIHW) is a not-for-profit department of Marin General Hospital that focuses on prevention and wellness, activation of the body’s innate healing powers, augmentation of conventional medicine during illness and injury, and development of self-care skills. Services are available to patients and community members looking to optimize their health and total sense of wellbeing.
About Zero Breast Cancer
Zero Breast Cancer is a community-based organization dedicated to prevention and finding the causes of breast cancer through local participation in the scientific research process. They focus on identifying environmental factors and the role they play in breast cancer at all stages of life and across generations.
