Colin Hill, MD

As someone born deaf to a Deaf family, with American Sign Language as our primary means of communication, I understand the daily accessibility challenges that linguistic and cultural minorities or people with disabilities face. In fact, I did not consider a career as a doctor while growing up because there were no other doctors I knew like me.

During college, I developed an interest in science and majored in chemistry. My chemistry professor and I started collaborating with a laboratory at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to conduct research on molecular pathways involved in cancer. My chemistry professor, who was also deaf, and other mentors I met during this process changed my perception of what was possible for deaf people seeking a career in medicine.

I became a radiation oncologist because I wanted to provide people who have cancer with a treatment that would change their lives and help their families. My goal is to offer people accessible healthcare that keeps their preferred mode of communication, cultural background, and physical needs in mind.

I have both a clinical and research interest in head and neck and gastrointestinal cancers. Cancers of the head and neck, liver, esophagus, and pancreas can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. The ability to perform daily functions like communicating, swallowing, tasting, or digesting food may be disrupted.

At Perlmutter Cancer Center, I work with a team of providers who are committed to practicing evidence-based medicine and delivering world-class medical care. I work closely with surgeons, medical oncologists, speech and swallowing therapists, and other specialists to provide personalized treatment plans. We strive to minimize side effects and maximize functional outcomes.

My clinical and translational research allows me to develop innovative ways to treat cancer. This includes new ways of delivering stereotactic radiation—a highly focused form of treatment delivered in one to five sessions—for pancreatic and liver tumors. I have studied how intraoperative radiation therapy, an internal form of radiation treatment, can improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer. I am investigating how radiation therapy guided by magnetic resonance imaging can be used to design novel ways of delivering treatment to head and neck and gastrointestinal tumors and predict outcomes. In addition, I have an interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion research to improve accessibility to healthcare for deaf patients and other patients with disabilities.

My memberships include the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Board of Radiology. I have published in numerous textbooks and medical journals. I serve on several national committees focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and am actively involved in the NCI task force for pancreatic cancer.