Gary Simmons, D.O., MSHA
Specialties
Medical Oncology
Hematology
Transplant and Cellular Therapy
Primary Location
Norfolk (Brock Cancer Center)
6251 E Virginia Beach Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23502
Main Phone:
(757) 466-8683
College
Hartwick College - Oneonta, New York
Medical School
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine - Biddeford, Maine
Residency
Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, Virginia
Fellowship
Virginia Commonwealth University - Richmond, Virginia
Board Certification
Internal Medicine
Hematology / Medical Oncology
Affiliations
American Society of Hematology (ASH)
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
American Society of Transplant Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)
Biography
Dr. Gary Simmons received his medical degree from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed his residency in Internal Medicine as well as his subspecialty training in Hematology/Oncology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. His clinical interest includes malignant hematology (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma), stem cell transplant, CAR T-cell, and cellular therapies to treat malignancies.
During his residency and fellowship, he won numerous awards including the Nationally recognized Arnold P. Gold Humanism and Excellence in Teaching in 2011 and again in 2013. He was named Resident of the year in 2012 and won excellence in Teaching in 2013. During residency and fellowship, he received numerous awards for excellence in scholarship, and during his fellowship he was selected as chief fellow.
He joined the Massey Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplant Program at VCU in 2016 and during this time he continued to receive awards for excellence in Teaching and served as a researcher, administrator and clinician in the cellular immunotherapies and transplant department. He was promoted to medical director of the ambulatory clinics in cellular therapy in 2020 and helped establish new care delivery models that improved patient safety in quality outcomes in the program. In 2022, he was promoted to associate professor.
He is well known for being a leader in the development and excellence of the CAR T-cell program at VCU. He has extensive experience in CAR T-cell procedures, and the development of this program has been transformational in the lives of patients with cancer. Dr. Simmons continues to be a leader in CAR T-cell therapy performing research, publishing papers, and giving local, regional, and national talks. He co-authored the BMTinfonet CAR T-cell handbook for patients in 2022.
Dr. Simmons, as a leader in CAR T-cell research, served as a principal investigator on many cellular therapy trials and is an active member of the Multiple Myeloma Cellular Therapy Consortium. He has an extensive publication record of abstracts and papers and has presented his work at American Society of Transplant Cellular Therapy (ASTCT) and American Society of Hematology (2019, 2020). In 2022, he was a part of six abstracts presented at American Society of Hematology (ASH).
He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology and is an active member of American Society of Hematology (ASH), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and American Society of Transplant Cellular Therapy (ASTCT).
Dr. Simmons has seen the transformational opportunity of cellular therapy and is passionate about access to this therapy for all that need it. He matriculated in the master’s in health care administration (MSHA) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) which ends in May 2023, and he hopes to use this degree to better the lives of patients with cancer focusing on therapy delivery, safety, and quality outcomes.
In his spare time, he enjoys being a father to his five children and running ultra-marathons. He has completed several 100-mile endurance runs and once ran 100 miles on a treadmill.