Carilion Proud: Get to Know Erin Saks, MD

Meet Erin Saks, MD, Gynecologic Oncology

What is your current role at Carilion? 
I am the division director of Gynecologic Oncology, director of the Gynecologic Oncology clinical trial program, medical director of the Infusion Center at Riverside 1, and medical director of the cancer genetic counseling program.

Where do you work?
I work in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Riverside 1 and at CRMH.

How long have you worked at Carilion? 
9 years

Why did you decide to go into medicine and work here? 
I went into medicine as it seemed like a career with job security, reasonable compensation, and the opportunity to help people. I chose to work at Carilion due to proximity to my family in central Virginia as well as a strong Gynecologic Oncology group with room for growth.

What is a typical week at work like? 
I have protected research time from one-half to 1 day per week, dedicated to our emerging clinical trials program. I operate 1-2 days per week. I see patients at Riverside from 1.5 to 3 days per week. I am on-call at CRMH 1 out of 4 weeks.

What are some of the research projects you are working on or have worked on recently?
Answer here.

Gynecology-Oncology is a specialized field. Can you describe some of the conditions you treat, and how your work fits into a patient’s cancer treatment? 
We treat all forms of gynecologic cancers including cancers of the cervix, endometrium, and ovary. My practice prescribes systemic therapies for cancer treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormonal ablation) as well as surger—and often both. About one-third of our volume is benign pathology with complex surgical needs.

How do you collaborate with other Carilion clinicians and other departments? 
We regularly collaborate with Blue Ridge Cancer Care's radiation oncology as well as other surgical services—including colorectal surgery, plastic surgery, and urology. Many of our patients drive more than 2 hours for their care. For those who cannot come to Roanoke regularly for infusion treatments, we collaborate closely with local medical oncologists. We have a twice monthly multidisciplinary tumor board attended by radiology, radiation oncology, and pathology.

So far in your career, what was your best day at work? 
I have lots of good days at work so I’m not sure. Getting a terrified patient who desperately needs surgery through an appropriately expedited case safely never gets old. Gyn oncology is a team effort, and my small, efficient, dedicated team excels at addressing urgent clinical issues requiring complex logistical solutions. I could do nothing without the support of my amazing office nurses, MAs and lab staff, the best surgical scheduler I could imagine, 4 excellent APPs, a very detail-oriented manager, 2 dedicated research coordinators and my 4 fabulous partners, Drs. Armbruster, Osborne, Summey, and Wilhite.

What’s one thing that would surprise people about you? 
I do not enjoy movies or other entertainment about cancer or most other serious topics. I have read all Calvin and Hobbes cartoons at least 5 times and am on a mission to make my children do the same. I have a garden and a grudge against the local deer population. I often garden after dark on busy weeks. I am not a particularly good gardener, but I keep trying.

Looking to the future, what developments in your specialty are you most excited about? 
I am very excited about antibody drug conjugates for systemic cancer treatment as well as AI-driven molecular analysis of cancer biology and emerging targets for therapy.