About Us
Our History
SpeciCare began saving live tumor tissue in 2017. A company born out of a physician’s desire to do more for his patients. Ken Dixon, MD, FACS, surgical oncologist practicing just north of Atlanta, was tired of telling his patients there was nothing left to do. Armed with more than 35 years’ experience in healthcare, he had enough with following an industry unwilling to pioneer new thinking . So he started a solo journey that would eventually lead to tumor tissue and its power to create options previously considered unconceivably. Confident in this new path, Dr. Dixon assembled a team of the nation’s leading experts to develop a tissue storage and banking process.
This new direction is the basis for SpeciCare today, focused on arming patients with new hope, innovative solutions, time and quality of life through the use of Live Tissue Science. SpeciCare’s live tumor tissue banking process enables access to previously inaccessible extensive testing, clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
“Once I realized its power, I could not believe we have been routinely throwing away tumor tissue for all these years.”
Dr. Ken Dixon, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, SpeciCare®
Value
We are not only committed to the individual patient; we are also determined to make our service available to every cancer patient possible. We believe that tumor tissue has the power to change the trajectory of cancer today. So, we have dedicated ourselves to continue to search out avenues that make this a more affordable and viable option to all.
Individualized Approach
While cancers are classified into general types, at SpeciCare we recognize that no two cancers are actually the same. That is why we are laser focused on providing individualized solutions and answers to cancer care. We believe that tumor tissue holds the key to unlocking secrets to personalized care that have not been previously conceived and that our unique tissue banking and storage process creates results-driven pathways of care for the patient and their clinical care team to explore.
“As a doctor, my goal is not to invent a cure for cancer – it is to cure the cancer patient sitting in front of me.”
Dr. Ken Dixon, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, SpeciCare®
Focused on Quality of Life
We know that when time matters most, you want answers, options and quality of life. By focusing on the individual patient, we believe we may be able to provide access to solutions that could extend life beyond months to years. By conducting testing on tumor tissue outside the body, our goal is to avoid debilitating side effects during the treatment process. In this way, improvement in the quality and extension of life can be realized. And by returning individualized information back to the patient and their clinical care team, you can make informed decisions about your care.
Our Team
Ken Dixon, MD, FACS
Founder, Chief Medical Officer
Ken Dixon is a community cancer surgeon with over 35 years of experience treating cancer patients. Certified by the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Dixon graduated with a BS from Davidson College, and an MD from Emory, completed a residency in general surgery at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals, and a surgical oncology fellowship at MD Anderson. He currently treats patients at his community cancer practice in Gainesville, Georgia.
Cindy Williams
CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER
Cindy Williams has more than 20 years of solid performance in insurance and finance industry, including banking and extensive experience as a nationally ranked sales leader with a Fortune 500 company, Aflac. As a Guardian ad Litem for Florida’s First Judicial Circuit, Cindy is also a voice to the Judge, for abused and neglected children.
Mary Ann Gaddis
Live Tissue Science Liaison
Val Gillman
Live Tissue Science Liaison
Valerie Gillman is a registered nurse with 20 years of experience. She is a certified Medical-Surgical nurse and currently works on a high acuity surgical oncology floor that specializes in urology, liver, endocrine, colorectal, and gynecologic cancers. Valerie has specialized training in urological and gynecological malignancies. As a Living Tissue Science Liaison, Valerie develops on-boarding materials and provides on-site in services to offices and facilities utilizing SpeciCare for their patients. She holds her ASN from Gordon State College.
Accreditations
The Foundation for Individualized Advanced Treatment was established to support the use of Live Tissue Science (LTS) for patients diagnosed with cancer and other diseases by funding clinical trials, research initiatives, and patient access to LTS functional testing and other initiatives. To learn more or to make a donation, visit www.individualizedtreatment.org.