Dr. Frederick L. Greene, Emeritus Chair of Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center and Medical Director of Cancer Data Services at Atrium Health-Levine Cancer Institute

Summary

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast: In-Depth Conversation with Dr. Frederick L. Greene

Episode Overview

In the June 22, 2025 episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, host Mariah Muhammad engages in a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Frederick L. Greene, the Emeritus Chair of Surgery at Carolinas Medical Center and the Medical Director of Cancer Data Services at Atrium Health-Levine Cancer Institute. Spanning approximately six minutes, the conversation delves into Dr. Greene’s extensive career, current priorities in cancer data management, advancements in surgical oncology, and his perspectives on the future of healthcare.

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1. Introduction to Dr. Frederick L. Greene

00:00 – 01:05

Mariah Muhammad opens the episode by introducing Dr. Greene, highlighting his significant roles and inviting him to share his background.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Greene ([00:27]): "I've been involved in academic surgery and at academic medical centers for the last 45 years... cancer is a big area for me."

Dr. Greene outlines his 45-year tenure in academic surgery, emphasizing his specialization in surgical oncology with a focus on breast and colorectal cancers. He also mentions his role in editing the TNM staging system for the past three decades and his current position at the Levine Cancer Institute overseeing cancer data services.

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2. Current Priorities and Initiatives

01:05 – 03:03

Mariah inquires about Dr. Greene’s key priorities for the remainder of the year.

Key Focus Areas:

• Quality in Cancer Registries: Dr. Greene underscores the importance of accurate data in cancer registries, which are integral to state and national databases. He hosts a podcast titled Cancer Registry World to advocate for this critical aspect of cancer management.

• Legislation for Veteran Data: Highlighting his advocacy efforts, Dr. Greene discusses legislative measures ensuring that veterans' cancer data are accurately recorded in their respective state registries. This initiative enhances the quality and comprehensiveness of cancer data for the veteran population.

• Cancer Staging and TNM System: As part of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, Dr. Greene is actively involved in refining the TNM staging system. He expresses enthusiasm for the upcoming release of the Version 9 criteria, which aims to improve the accuracy and utility of cancer staging.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Greene ([01:13]): "Accuracy is very important... we're coming out now with new staging criteria called the version 9 criteria."

His commitment to ensuring precise cancer staging is pivotal for both clinical outcomes and research purposes.

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3. Advancements in Surgical Oncology

03:03 – 04:31

The conversation shifts to impactful programs and initiatives from 2024 that have advanced surgical oncology and healthcare at large.

Minimal Access Surgery Evolution:

Dr. Greene reflects on the progression from laparoscopic to robotic surgery, underscoring its significance in improving surgical outcomes across various specialties.

Founding SAGES:

He recounts his role in establishing the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), an oversight body for surgeons specializing in laparoscopic and robotic procedures.

Future of Robotic Surgery:

Anticipating technological advancements, Dr. Greene predicts a substantial increase in the adoption of robotic systems in operating rooms, which he believes will revolutionize surgical practices and patient outcomes.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Greene ([03:18]): "Robotic surgery, not only laparoscopic surgery, for all specialty areas... this is extremely important."

His insights highlight the transformative potential of robotics in enhancing surgical precision and efficiency.

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4. Growth and Member Experience in Healthcare

04:31 – 05:46

Mariah poses a question about strategies for growth and enhancing member experiences in the upcoming years.

Mentorship and Involvement:

Dr. Greene emphasizes the significance of mentoring young physicians, encouraging their active participation in professional organizations, and staying engaged with evolving healthcare landscapes.

Adapting to Healthcare Changes:

He advocates for the involvement of emerging medical professionals in addressing socioeconomic aspects of healthcare, particularly in the face of rapid advancements like artificial intelligence.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Greene ([04:46]): "Healthcare is changing so much... especially with AI and all of the things coming down the pike."

By fostering a proactive and informed workforce, Dr. Greene believes the healthcare sector can effectively navigate future challenges and innovations.

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5. Conclusion

05:46 – 06:01

Mariah wraps up the discussion by expressing gratitude to Dr. Greene for his valuable insights, highlighting the informative nature of the conversation.

Notable Quote:

Mariah Muhammad ([05:46]): "This has definitely been a very informative discussion."

Dr. Greene reciprocates the appreciation, marking the end of a fruitful dialogue.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast offers a deep dive into the expertise and forward-thinking perspectives of Dr. Frederick L. Greene. From his dedication to enhancing cancer data accuracy to advocating for technological advancements in surgery, Dr. Greene exemplifies leadership in medical oncology. His emphasis on mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals underscores a commitment to sustained excellence and innovation in the field.

For healthcare professionals and enthusiasts alike, this conversation provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of surgical oncology, the critical role of data in cancer management, and the future directions of healthcare technology.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome, everyone, to the Beckers Healthcare podcast series. I'm Mariah Muhammad, writer and moderator with Becker's Healthcare. I'm thrilled to have with me today Dr. Frederick L. Green, the emeritus chair of the Department of Surgery at the Caroline's Medical center and the medical Director of Cancer Data Services at HRM Health, Levine Cancer Institute. Dr. Green, welcome to the podcast. We're very excited to have you join us today to get us started. Would you mind please, telling us a bit more about yourself and your background?

[B]

Sure. Happy to be here today. Yes, I've been involved in academic surgery and at academic medical centers for the last 45 years. And my area of interest has been surgical oncology, mostly in the area of breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and currently I'm at the Libyan Cancer Institute. I am the medical director for all cancer data that comes into our cancer institute. And I have been the editor of the TNM staging system for the last 25 to 30 years. And I'm still involved in that. So cancer is a big area for me.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So I know half the year is kind of finished now, but what are your top priorities for the rest of the year?

[B]

Well, one of the things that I'm very much involved in is quality issues in cancer registries. I host a podcast called Cancer Registry World, which is really indicated for how important cancer registries are. So at my own institution, I want to make sure that all of the data that comes into our cancer registry is accurate because it goes into the state I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, so it goes into the state of North Carolina's registry and ultimately into the national cancer database, which is our only national cancer database. So accuracy is very important. One of the other issues I've been involved in is pushing legislation to make sure that our veteran population, those. Those people taken care of at veterans hospitals, will have all of their data set in accurately to the states where they live. So happily, we have legislation now that encourages the Veterans Administration to make sure that all data is sent into the state registries. Another area that I'm involved in is making sure that staging of cancer is done properly by clinicians and by certainly oncology data specialists who collect the data. And so my work for the American Joint Committee on Cancer is important. That's the organization that as the oversight on the TNM staging system. So we're coming out now with new staging criteria called the version 9 criteria. So I'm excited about that. And then, of course, I have three podcasts that I do. So I'm very interested in getting communication out about surgical oncology and about cancer staging.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. That's very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing that. Going back in time a little bit, were there any programs or initiatives that you thought were the most needle moving for you or for society in 2024?

[B]

Well, I think, again, one of the things we're seeing in surgery is the work of minimal access surgery. And I got involved in laparoscopic surgery when laparoscopic cholecystectomy first came out. Of course, now what we're doing is robotic surgery, not only laparoscopic surgery, for all specialty areas. So my area of interest has been in teaching endoscopy. I had the opportunity about 40 years ago to help found an organization that is the oversight organization for all surgeons who do laparoscopic and robotic surgery. It's called sages, the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. So I think one of the things we're going to see in the future, and I know as I travel around, is the number of robots in the operating room, and this is extremely important. So I think for an overall outcome not only in cancer, but in other specialty areas, this is probably the biggest topic that we're going to see. So I'm excited about that.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. That definitely does sound exciting. And, Doctor, before I let you go, there was one other question I had had for you, and that's, how are you thinking about growth and member experience for this year or for the next five years?

[B]

Growth and member experience, of course, is extremely important as far as our. In our academic institutions. And I think that one of the things I do is I. I write a letter every year that's published to our graduating fellows and residents in all of our teaching hospitals. And I think that healthcare is changing so much that they're gonna have to be involved, of course, in all of that. And one of the things I think is important in making sure that young physicians are involved in organizations, that they stay involved, they go to their meetings, they become involved in what's going on in the socioeconomic areas of health care. So I think this is probably of the most important things that they can do given the type of healthcare changes that we're seeing, especially with AI and all of the things coming down the pike.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, definitely. I definitely agree with you there. And thank you so much for those final thoughts, Doctor. This has definitely been a very informative discussion. So again, I want to thank you so much for coming on Becker's healthcare, especially for the first time, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon.

[B]

Well, thank you very much. It's been a pleasure.