Education 🎓
Dr. Michael Honaker completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology, magna cum laude, at West Virginia University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from the West Virginia University School of Medicine, graduating in the top quartile of their class. 🏥 Post-medical education, Dr. Michael Honaker completed a General Surgery residency at Carolinas Medical Center and subsequently a Fellowship in Colorectal Surgery at William Beaumont Hospital. Dr. Michael Honaker further refined their surgical skills and academic focus during residency and fellowship training, excelling in colorectal surgery.
Experience 💼
Dr. Michael Honaker has held various academic appointments, currently serving as an Associate Professor of Surgery at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine.
🚑 Previous roles include Assistant Professor of Surgery at Mercer University School of Medicine and Clinical Associate Professor at ECU, where they have also coordinated surgical clerkships for medical students. Clinically, Dr. Michael Honaker has served at ECU Health as Co-Director of Colorectal Surgery, and prior positions include leadership roles at Navicent Health in Georgia.
Awards & Honors 🏅
Dr. Michael Honaker has received multiple awards for clinical excellence, including 2nd Place in Best Poster at the William Davidson Medical Education Week in 2016 and an Honorable Mention at Minimally Invasive Week in 2017. Their research on rectal cancer earned them recognition at the Graduate Medical Education Research Week, 2023, for Best Poster. Notably, Dr. Michael Honaker was elected to the Diseases of the Colon and Rectum Reviewer’s Guild Editorial Board and featured in Digestive Disease Week’s Top Abstracts.
Research Focus 🔬
Dr. Michael Honaker’s research is centered on colorectal cancer, including clinical trials like JANUS, exploring innovative approaches to improve chemotherapy outcomes.
🚑 Key research areas include improving access to cancer care for rural patients, addressing transportation barriers, and enhancing organ preservation in elderly patients with rectal cancer. Their work also involves developing validated measures for patient risk in cancer care and contributing to precision medicine solutions, funded by Lilly USA.