David R. Crotzer, MD

David Crotzer, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center, credits his mother ñ a retired oncology nurse ñ for inspiring his career choice in medicine.

While he enjoys the complexities of advanced pelvic surgery and caring for patients with cancer, he's even more passionate about building long-term relationships with the people he treats.

"They walk this cancer journey with us," he said. "Sometimes it ends well. Sometimes it doesn't. But it's a long one, and we're with those patients pretty much through the whole thing."

He's most proud of the team-based approach that Methodist applies to every aspect of patient care. In fact, it's what sold him on joining the Methodist family in 2006.

"Patients come to see us, and they're afraid and anxious. They have this diagnosis that they're having to deal with, and they're frightened by that diagnosis. I want them to trust that they have a team surrounding them, and everyone is working toward a common goal of giving them great care and returning them to health."

The Meaning of Care is a commitment to care, he said, and his commitment to patients is this: "I will do my very best to always provide them with the best care available at all times."

Dr. Crotzer has a personal interests in fitness and wellness. He enjoys staying active by playing tennis, bicycling and running. While he spends a lot of his free time attending his daughters' sporting events and piano recitals, he also treasures the time he's given to pick up a good book or watch a movie with his wife.