Dr. Galvan Turner speaks to ASCO Daily News as part of special series on treating cancer patients in the wake of COVID-19

“During this pandemic, change is our one constant,” Valerie B. Galvan Turner, M.D., assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology said. “I long for my once predictable clinic and operating room schedule.”

Dr. Galvan Turner was approached by the ACSO Daily to participate in a series of articles focusing on healthcare providers throughout the United States. Galvan Turner’s interview representing West Virginia, offering perspective on how COVID-19 directly impacts cancer care.

Galvan Turner’s interview stressed the importance of togetherness and responsiveness, especially for patients with cancer who are immunocompromised.

Galvan Turner prioritized educating her patients on social distancing practices, baseline factors and surgical services. Since West Virginia is a rural state, some patients travel far and wide to receive treatment. For those with cancer, fear and apprehension began to arise as a result of traveling to a large center that was also treating those with COVID-19.

“We need to continue to make sure that we’re advocating for our patients and empowering them to take charge of their health and their healthcare in this unusual time,” she said.

Galvan Turner graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in 2009, where she also did her Residency in 2013. She completed her gynecologic oncology fellowship at the University of California Irvine. Her specialties include obstetrics and gynecology, and gynecologic oncology.

To read the article featuring Galvan Turner’s interview, click here.

For more information on Galvan Turner, click here.