Dr. Doug Flora is the Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services, and The Robert and Dell Ann Sathe Endowed Chair in Oncology at the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Cancer Center. Headquartered in Edgewood, Kentucky, St. Elizabeth Healthcare currently operates six facilities throughout Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana.

Dr. Flora graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1999. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, he is a steadfast advocate for whole-person care and medical innovation. His leadership and vision have led to cutting-edge technology and treatment protocols and improved patient outcomes.

A Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, Dr. Flora provides a level of expertise and leadership in the application of Lean Six Sigma principles and methodologies within the organization. He serves as a leader and mentor, guiding teams and driving initiatives to achieve significant improvements in processes, quality, and overall business performance.

Dr. Flora’s dedication extends beyond clinical practice. As the Editor-In-Chief for the pioneering peer-reviewed research journal AI in Precision Oncology, he plays a pivotal role in medical education and research, nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders. His perspective as editor-in-chief is enriched by personal experience as a practicing oncologist, senior healthcare executive, and most importantly, a cancer survivor. These roles have each provided unique insights into the complexities and challenges faced in oncology care from different angles.

As an oncologist, Dr. Flora seeks simplified documentation, more effective medications, and support in making critical clinical decisions. As an administrator, his focus shifts toward safeguarding patients and staff while striving to provide seamless coordinated care—no easy feat given resource constraints. And, as a cancer patient, it is essential to have access to improved screening methods, more effective treatments, and clinicians who have the time and ability to engage with him and his family, especially when he is lying on the examination table. His unique perspective drives home the reality that AI tools will allow optimization of every aspect of cancer care, none more urgently than what the patients personally require and deserve.

Dr. Flora has played a pivotal role in raising over $50 million for St. Elizabeth Healthcare and its Cancer Care programs. His unwavering commitment to philanthropy stems from a deep-rooted belief in the power of community support. He recognized that healing extends beyond medicine. By rallying the community, Dr. Flora ensures that patients receive not only exceptional medical care but also the warmth and support needed during their cancer journey.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare now hosts a robust portfolio of clinical trials, including phase 1 trials, due in large part to Dr. Flora’s deep commitment to expanding access and increasing diversity in enrollment, particularly within community oncology settings. By championing initiatives that promote precision medicine, genomic health, and data-led quality innovation, Dr. Flora ensures that cutting-edge treatments are accessible to a diverse range of patients, including underserved minority and rural populations. Additionally, he has initiated softer touches, such as formal Nurse Navigation and Integrative Oncology, to enhance the overall patient experience.

Dr. Flora is a Board Member of the American Cancer Society as Vice Chair of the Ohio-NKY-West Virginia North Central Region, serves on the Executive Board of the Association of Cancer Care Centers as Treasurer and is a Board Member of the Kentucky Society of Clinical Oncology. He enjoys international travel with his family in his spare time.