Dave Holton - “The UNC Approach”

Dave Holton, Kitty Hawk, NC

Dave Holton of Kitty Hawk, NC, felt a lump in his neck in November 2004. He figured he had an infection, saw his physician and was prescribed an antibiotic. When the "infection" didn't clear up, he was referred to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist who "took one look down my throat and told me I had a tumor." Next, Holton explained, "My brother, who is a physician, and I did some research about where to be seen, and we chose Chapel Hill."

Holton was first seen by Dr. Marion Couch, an ENT surgeon, who diagnosed Holton with tonsillar/throat cancer. He then underwent chemotherapy with Dr. Neil Hayes and radiation therapy with Dr. Julian Rosenman.

"One of the best things about my UNC experience was the coordination of my care. All my doctors talked with each other and really worked together as a team. Additionally, my doctors were very personable, a critical quality when working with cancer patients because of the seriousness of the diagnosis."

He finished his therapy in March and is doing well. Holton, a semi-retired businessman, serves on several non-profit Boards including the American Red Cross for Northeastern North Carolina and has been actively and successfully involved in raising funds for Katrina relief.

Holton experienced the cancer journey a second time, this time guiding a close friend who had a similar diagnosis of head and neck cancer. "Helping my friend through her ordeal made me understand just how critical the teamwork of physicians can be and how fortunate I was to have been at UNC. I didn't think much about it when I was going through it, but watching it from the caregiver's perspective made me appreciate even more the UNC approach."