Board Certified Providers

The Heart of our Organization. The people that come to work every day, to find better ways to care for you. Reaching into tomorrow and bringing you what you need today.

Your Providers

William R. Mitchell, MD

Undergraduate – Marshall University School of Medicine
Medical School – University of Louisville School of Medicine
Internal Medicine Residency – Bowman Gray School of Medicine
Fellowship – Bowman Gray School of Medicine

Dr. Mitchell received his undergraduate degree Magna Cum Laude at Marshall University.  He furthered his education at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He completed both his internal medicine residency and fellowship at Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine. From 1992 to 1995, he was the Chief Fellow of Oncology.  He previously was the Chairman of Oncology for Novant Health Huntersville and assisted the Internal Medicine Residency Program for Oncology Rotation for Carolinas Medical Center.  Dr. Mitchell founded Southern Oncology Specialists in 2010.  He enjoys spending time with his family and has a passion for all genres of music.

Jack D. Burton, MD

Undergraduate – Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Medical School – University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis
Internal Medicine Residency & Fellowship– University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Dr. Burton is a board certified physician in medical oncology who completed his medical rotations throughout his educational career in Minneapolis. He broadened his specialty medicine in cancer research at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland. In the mid-2000’s he established various positions at Staten Island University Hospital in New York City with roles as Director of Oncology Research and Director of Institutional Review Boards. Following, he joined the oncology program at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn where he headed the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship program for several years and continued directing research. A member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association for Cancer Research, he continues to provide an abundance of oncology and hematology advanced medical care at Southern Oncology Specialists.
Dr. Burton stated “Patient care is complex and involves many directions. I am able to get to the level each individual patient is on, and that is when I see the best outcomes”.

Poras K. Patel, MD

Undergraduate – Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
Medical School – American University of Antigua, College of Medicine, Antigua and Barbuda
Internal Medicine Residency & Fellowship – The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Affiliate of Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City
Dr. Patel is a board certified physician in medical oncology and hematology who started his career in science as a major in Chemistry at Middlesex County College in Edison, New Jersey before obtaining a bachelor of science degree in Biochemistry at Rutgers University. While at both colleges, he achieved dean’s list. Upon completing his doctor of medicine from American University of Antigua, he joined staff at The Brooklyn Hospital Center and received a Chief Resident Recognition Award. Dr. Patel has extensive research in blood disorders, blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma, lung cancer, breast cancer and neuroendocrine carcinoma cases. Since 2016, he has been a volunteer physician with the Medical Reserve Corps, a citywide emergency preparedness program. He and his wife recently relocated to North Carolina where he joined the team at Southern Oncology Specialists.

Caroline Heys, PA-C

Undergraduate – Wake Forest University
Master of Medical Science – Wingate University
Caroline Heys grew up in Kansas City and moved to North Carolina for her undergraduate education at Wake Forest University. She has experience in orthopedics, where she worked prior to starting PA school at Wingate University. Caroline enjoys running, cooking/baking, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends. She loves living in Charlotte and has really enjoyed being a part of the Southern Oncology Specialists team.

Xavier Harrison, PA-C

Medical Training – Air Force, Medical Laboratory Technician
Master of Medical Science – Wake Forest University
Bowman Gray School of Medicine
Xavier Harrison has over 30 years of experience in medicine. Although a Charlotte native, he grew up in Germany. He previously treated patients in his physician assistant role in the fields of urology, emergency medicine, and pain medicine. Xavier is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants and brings a diverse medical background to the cancer team at Southern Oncology Specialists.