Dr. Glenn Preston

ALPENA — Glenn Preston, M.D., Ph.D., a board-certified medical oncologist, has joined the comprehensive cancer care team at MyMichigan Health. This team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, specialized surgeons and interventional radiologists, as well as nurse navigators. Dr. Preston joins William Hitzelberger, D.O., Deb Griffin, M.S.N., N.P.-C., and Mario Lacerna, M.D., at the Cancer Center on the campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.

Dr. Preston completed his undergraduate degree in biochemistry and worked as a research associate before receiving his medical degree from the University of Missouri. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Brooke Army Medical Center in St. Sam Houston, Texas. He most recently served as a medical oncologist and the medical director at Abben Cancer Center of Spencer Hospital in Iowa.

When he first started in medicine, Dr. Preston was very moved by the journey of people with cancer. He felt a deep calling to serve cancer patients with all his mind, body and spirit.

“I believe it is a great honor to stand with, and fight alongside people battling this disease,” he said. “Virtually everyone in this country has been touched either directly or indirectly by cancer.”

“One important aspect of cancer care is to use the most effective anticancer medicines in the world to treat each and every patient,” Dr. Preston said. “It’s also important to provide the very best possible quality of life. This includes symptom control and optimizing the logistics of treatment, as well as ensuring that the emotional and spiritual needs of each patient are met.”

The most satisfying aspect of his work is the peace of mind that comes as a direct result of knowing that everyone on the team has done the very best that they can to provide the very best care for the patients. This includes those cases where patients are cured of their disease.

“My patients can expect to receive some of the most advanced effective anticancer medications available,” said Dr. Preston. “They can expect to be cared for by someone that is committed to provide the very best total care possible. This is something you can expect from all members of our care team.”

Dr. Preston sees the development of targeted therapies for cancer as one of the most exciting discoveries that has occurred in the medical oncology field. Targeted therapies are small molecule oral agents that have had a spectacular positive impact on survival, without the toxicities and other difficulties of chemotherapy.

“The excitement for this is ongoing,” he added. “Newer and better drugs are being developed every day.”

During his free time, Dr. Preston and his wife, the Rev. Beth Preston, enjoy activities with their four children and two grandchildren. He also enjoys music, cycling, hiking, kayaking, watching college football and is a dog lover.

Dr. Preston welcomes new patients to his office in the Cancer Center located at 1501 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. Appointments may be made by calling 989-356-7353. For more information about Dr. Preston, visit www.mymichigan.org/glennpreston.