Welcome to Georgia Cancer Specialists Athens, Where Your Care Comes First.

As Your Cancer Answer, we understand that your unique treatment needs deserve our individualized attention. That's why our team of doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and wellness staff work together to provide the comprehensive, compassionate, and collaborative care you deserve.

GCS: Your Athens Cancer Specialists

Georgia Cancer Specialists is a Top 10 private cancer practice in the U.S., made up of 44 board-certified physicians who consistently bring quality oncology and hematology care to the Southeast. GCS is located in the heart of Athens, bringing quality cancer care to your community.

At the Georgia Cancer Specialists Athens office, Dr. Richard Loyd, Dr. Nirav Dhruva, Dr. Sherine Thomas, and Family Nurse Practitioner Christine Long bring comprehensive cancer care to their city.

GCS-Athens Physician Dr. Richard Loyd Recently Featured in The Athens Banner-Herald

GCS-Athens Physician Dr. Richard Loyd Recently Featured in The Athens Banner-Herald Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) physician Dr. Richard Loyd recently discussed the opening of the GCS Research Center in Athens, the importance of clinical research in cancer care, as well as the future of cancer drug reseach in Athens' largest news source, The Athens Banner-Herald. READ MORE

Georgia Cancer Specialists Expands Research Program to Athens

GCS Offers Athens Residents Access to Leading-edge Clinical Trials

Georgia Cancer Specialists (GCS) has expanded its research program to Athens, giving local residents access to leading-edge trials, typically only available at major academic centers.

The clinical research program at GCS—a Top 10 cancer practice in the U.S.—focuses on making targeted cancer therapy accessible to patients in their local communities. The GCS research program currently offers Phase I-IV clinical trials for all major tumor types, including lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, colon cancer, and prostate cancer, and is the only private cancer practice in Georgia to offer Phase I clinical trials. READ MORE

GCS-Athens 2011 Relay for Life

The GCS-Athens Relay for Life Team had a wonderful time participating in the 2011 Clarke County Relay for Life event May 13.

Medicare Advantage Plans

Georgia Cancer Specialists is proud to participate in a variety of Medicare Advantage Plans. Learn more about your Medicare options on our Patient Information page.

Ask the Doc

Do you have a question for a GCS physician? If you would like additional information or a second opinion, our doctors are here to answer your questions. Use the contact form on the right and a GCS physician will reply to you as soon as possible.

The Ask The Doc feature is answered by a GCS medical oncologist based on time and availability. We make every effort to answer these questions within the week they are posted. This feature should NOT be used for urgent medical questions.

GCS: The Athens Cancer Specialists Office

Our office is located at:

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125 King Avenue
2nd Floor, Suite 200
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 369-4478

Lake Oconee location:

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1000 Cowles Clinic Way
Magnolia Building
Greensboro, GA 30642
(706) 454-0159

GCS: The Athens Cancer Specialists Providers

Click on each photo to learn more about GCS-Athens’ oncology/hematology team:

Richard O. Loyd, DO

“My parents taught me at an early age the virtue of service. Medicine provides the greatest opportunity to serve mankind. I have found that the richest blessings of life are recognized as we serve our fellow men.”

Dr. Richard Loyd received his medical degree from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
He completed his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in medical oncology at the Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dr. Loyd is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and currently serves on the GCS Board of Directors. He recently served as President of the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association (GOMA).
His special interests include clinical research in lung and breast cancer treatments.

Nirav Dhruva, MD

“My pursuit of oncology was ignited by my mother's personal battle with cancer. In this profession, I am able to learn about the strength of the human spirit. The unique trust placed upon me motivates me to continue to learn in order to keep up with the constantly evolving field and provide exceptional care with compassion to all my patients as if they were family.”

Dr. Nirav Dhruva received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia.
He completed his residency in internal medicine and his fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Dr. Dhruva is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
His special interests include lung cancer, breast cancer, and malignant hematology.

Sherine J. Thomas, MD

“I was attracted to medicine because it is a science, which truly touches lives. The practice of oncology offers me the opportunity to work in an ever-evolving field, on the cutting edge of modern medical science, and at the same time, interact with my patients and their families at a very human level.”

Dr. Sherine Thomas received his medical degree from Medical College Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India.
He completed his residency and internship and his fellowship in hematology/oncology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Dr. Thomas is a member of the American Society of Hematology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
His special interests include genitourinary and gynecological malignancies, gastrointestinal, and head and neck tumors.

Christine Long, FNP-C

"Holistic compassionate care of individuals is not a job for me, it's a self renewing spiritual journey in my own life. I am ever thankful that our patients allow me to be a part of their own journeys."

Family Nurse Practitioner Christine Long received her Associates of Science in Nursing degree and her Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree from the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia.
She received her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia.
Christine is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Georgia Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the National Oncology Nursing Society, the Athens Oncology Nursing Society chapter, Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society for Nursing, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She also serves as President of the United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Northeast Georgia Chapter.

GCS: Athens Cancer Specialists in the News

Read about what’s been happening at GCS-Athens: