texas oncology more breakthroughs. more victories
I am a: Patient | Caregiver | Refering Physician

Ofobuike N. Okani, M.D., FACP

Ofobuike N. Okani, M.D., FACP Photo

Provider Type: Physician

Specialties:
Board Certifications:
  • Hematology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Medical Oncology
Spoken Languages: English, Igbo

Downloads

Education

  • Fellowship in Medical Oncology and Hematology
    The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
  • Residency in Internal Medicine
    Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center, New York City, NY
  • Internship in Internal Medicine
    Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center, New York City, NY
  • Medical Doctorate
    College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nigeria

Accolades & Memberships

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (1996)
  • American Society of Hematology (1998)
  • American College of Physicians (1991)
  • Certificate of Clinical Excellence (Internship), Harlem Hospital Center, New York, NY
  • Award for diligent teaching and consistent kindness to the class of 2002, Family Practice Center, Waco, TX
  • Community Service Award, Health and Wellness (2005)
  • Wellness Award from St. Luke A.M.E Church, Waco, TX

Why a patient should choose treatment at your practice?

Our cancer center is patient-centric, a fact that is evident from the time someone steps into out center until he/she leaves. The atmosphere is relaxing with a beautiful healing garden that wraps around the infusion center. The kindness of our staff is very palpable. Our technology is leading edge and our doctors stay up to date with advances in radiation and medical oncology and apply these advances to the diagnosis and treatment of various solid cancers and hematologic disorders.

What is your personal philosophy around patient care?

Human beings are the crown jewel of God's creation. I believe that patients deserve a sensitive and understanding Hematologist/Oncologist to be able to go through, sometimes the rigorous journey of diagnosis, treatment planning and delivery, management of treatment side effects and response evaluation. I believe in kindness, empathy, candor, life-long learning, family and dedication to what I do on a daily basis – caring for the sick.

Publications

  • Seven-Week Continuous- Infusion Paclitaxel Plus Concurrent Radiation Theraphy for Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Phase I Study

    Seminars in Oncology, 1997

  • Intensive Radiationtherapy Con-Current With Up to 7-Week Continuous Infusion Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Solid Tumors: Phase I Studies

    Seminars in Radiation Oncology, 1997

  • Intensive Radiotherapy and Prolonged Continuous- Infusion Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Solid Tumors: Results for Three Phase I Trials

    Seminars in Radiation Oncology, 1997

  • Seven Week Continuous- Infusion Paclitaxel With Concurrent Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: A Phase I Study

    Seminars in Oncology, 1997

Community Service

  • Cancer Screening Education on Breast, Colorectal and Prostate Cancers at the Bledsoe Miller Community Center (1998 – 2000)
  • Breast Cancer Screening by the American Cancer Society (October 2014, 2015)
  • "W.C. Okani Memorial Scholaship Initiative" in Nigeria established in 2005 in honor of my late father who loved education, to see young men and women from poor families get good education

Why did you become a doctor?

An exposure to a simple instrument, the microscope, in high school stimulated my interest in the biological sciences, especially when it became apparent that I could peer into the human body with this simple instrument and tell what the blood cells were doing. However, it was the compassionate care I received from my physician as a teenager while I was sick that created in me an unshakable desire for a career in medicine. I was fascinated by the structural complexity of the human body and yet its organized and coordinated function and that it is a perturbation in this organization whenever it occurs that leads to disease. Although, I came to like the sciences, I also loved people especially the vulnerable and I found that medicine is not just a science, it is also about people needing help with various ailments. Because of the axiom "to whom much is given, much is required", I wanted to extend the same compassion I had received from my caring physician to someone. I began to see medicine as an opportunity to fulfill two aspirations: to love and care for people and enjoy cutting edge technology. That opportunity came when I got accepted into medical school and the rest is history.

Videos

Research Interest

Head and Neck, Lung, Colorectal Cancers, Leukemias and Multiple Myeloma

Medical Practice

  • Waco Hematology, Oncology and Endocrine, PA (January 1997 – March 2011)

Other Information

Dr. Okani was born in Nigeria but immigrated to the USA. He is a US citizen. Married and blessed with three children – one daughter and two sons. He is called to the ministry as a Bible teacher.