Bio

I am a physician-leader committed to advancing equitable health care through both clinical care and national policy. My journey into medicine began in childhood, when my mother survived breast cancer. It was a formative experience that ignited my passion for oncology and my resolve to improve care for those most in need.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, I graduated summa cum laude from Tuskegee University and earned my MD from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. I currently serve as one of the Chief Residents in Radiation Oncology at Stanford University.

In 2024, I was appointed by the President of the United States as a White House Fellow, serving in the Office of the Secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In that role, I contributed to enterprise-wide efforts to improve care delivery and advance innovation within the nation’s largest integrated health care system, serving as Special Advisor to the Deputy Secretary and supporting senior leadership through policy analysis.

I am also the Immediate Past Chair of the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO), where I championed resident advocacy, expanded mentorship and advanced equity across the field of radiation oncology. Beyond my clinical and policy work, I engage deeply with my community, leading health-education initiatives through my church to reduce disparities and promote health in underserved populations.

I remain committed to a career at the intersection of medicine and policy, working to build a health care system where high-quality, compassionate care is accessible to all.

Clinical Focus

  • Residency
  • Radiation Oncology

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

  • Chair, Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (2024 - 2025)
  • Executive Co-Chair, Stanford Medicine GME Diversity Committee (2023 - 2024)
  • Board Member & Resident Representative, American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) (2025 - Present)

Professional Education

  • Internship, Brookwood Baptist Health, Transitional Year (2022)
  • MD, University of South Alabama College of Medicine (2021)
  • MS, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Biomedical and Health Sciences (2016)
  • BS, Tuskegee University, Biology/Pre-Med (2015)

Contact

All Publications

  • Robotic radiosurgery for the treatment of pediatric arteriovenous malformations. Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics Kim, L. H., Treechairusame, T., Chiang, J., White, Z., Jackson, S., Quon, J. L., Appelboom, G., Chang, S. D., Soltys, S. G., Guzman, R., Cheshier, S., Dodd, R. L., Grant, G. A., Edwards, M. S., Gibbs, I. C. 2025: 1-13

    Abstract

    Pediatric intracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have a greater cumulative lifetime risk of rupture than those in adults. Although obliteration after radiation occurs in a dose-dependent manner, increasing radiation doses must be balanced against the risk of adverse radiation effects (AREs). The authors aimed to assess the efficacy of robotic radiosurgery for pediatric AVMs.The authors performed a retrospective review of pediatric patients with AVMs at a single institution who underwent robotic radiosurgery between 2005 and 2021 with one of 3 radiosurgery dosing schedules: 1) single-stage unfractionated (SSU), 2) single-stage fractionated (SSF), and 3) volumetrically multistaged (VMS) treatment. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify predictors of AREs and obliteration.Ninety-five patients with 100 intracranial AVMs were identified. Median (range) follow-up time was 4.5 (1.8-15.2) years. Forty-four (46.3%) presented with ruptured AVMs. The mean ± SD AVM volume was 10.0 ± 11.88 cm3. A plurality of AVMs were Spetzler-Martin grade III (36.2%). The overall rate of total obliteration was 52.6% (78.8% of SSU-treated, 24.2% of SSF-treated, 10% of VMS-treated patients) with a median (range) obliteration time of 3.25 (2.8-4.1) years. Partial obliteration was achieved in 23.2% of patients. In the univariate analysis, the higher obliteration rate was associated with small volume (HR 0.876, 95% CI 0.812-0.945) (p = 0.001), no prior embolization (HR 0.472, 95% CI 0.254-0.876) (p = 0.017), lower Spetzler-Martin grade (HR 0.437, 95% CI 0.320-0.597) (p ≤ 0.001), and higher single-fraction equivalent dose (HR 1.160, 95% CI 1.020-1.198) (p = 0.015). Pretreatment hemorrhage was found in 51 patients (59.6% of SSU-treated, 45.5% of SSF-treated, and 50% of VMS-treated patients). Thirteen patients experienced posttreatment hemorrhage (3.8% of SSU-treated, 12% of SSF-treated, and 60% of VMS-treated patients). AREs were found afterward in 31.6% of patients. The correlations of male sex (HR 0.447, 95% CI 0.199-1.004) (p = 0.051) and volume of brain tissue that received a single-fraction equivalent dose of 12 Gy or greater (HR 1.020, 95% CI 1.000-1.041) (p = 0.053) with AREs did not reach significance.SSU treatment was effective for treating smaller AVMs with an obliteration rate of 79%. Although SSF treatment was less effective in achieving total obliteration (24%), this approach significantly reduced the posttreatment hemorrhage rate by nearly 75% (46% of patients had pretreatment hemorrhage vs 12% with posttreatment hemorrhage). Unfortunately, only 10% of AVMs in the VMS cohort were obliterated and posttreatment hemorrhage rates were not reduced.

    View details for DOI 10.3171/2024.12.PEDS24211

    View details for PubMedID 40279702

  • Trends in Program Satisfaction and Confidence Levels Among United States Radiation Oncology Residents: A Five-Year Aggregate Analysis of the 2020-2024 ARRO Graduating Resident Survey. International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics Basree, M. M., MacDuffie, E., LeCompte, M., White, Z. B., Ogunmuyiwa, J., Sharifzadeh, Y., Corrigan, K., Neibart, S. S., Goodman, C. R., Sim, A. J., Hutten, R. J., Currey, A., Pinnix, C. C., Kamrava, M., Nelson, B. 2025

    Abstract

    Transitioning from Radiation Oncology (RO) training to independent practice is often challenging. Understanding resident attitudes related to program satisfaction and comfort with treatment modalities is essential for improving resident experience.Between 2020 and 2024, the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology (ARRO) conducted web-based surveys of graduating RO residents in the United States. Likert-style scales were utilized to capture responses and summarized using descriptive statistics. Chi-square tests assessed differences in response rates and nominal variables. Kruskal-Wallis H and Kendall's tau-b tests evaluated ordinal variable distributions and correlations, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression estimated associations between variables.A total of 820 graduating residents (out of 952 invited) completed the surveys, representing a median response rate of 86.5% (range, 77.8%-93.7%). Ninety-one percent of residents were satisfied or very satisfied with their program (range, 89.6%-94.0%). Dissatisfaction with clinical didactics (OR 5.34; p<0.001) and higher numbers of training sites (OR 5.73; p=0.01) were associated with program dissatisfaction. Compared to 2014-2015 ARRO survey, satisfaction improved in treatment planning (85%) and biostatistics (61%) domains, but declined in physics (76%) and radiation biology (68%) didactics. Compared to small programs (<6 residents), residents in larger programs reported greater satisfaction with training (e.g., clinical didactics, mentorship). Over a third of residents reported excessive (7.9%) or moderate (31.0%) non-educational tasks, which decreased over survey years (adj p=0.049). Confidence levels varied between treatment modalities, with high confidence for lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT; 96.1%) and non-spine bone SBRT (87.7%), and low confidence for high dose rate (HDR; 25.7%) and low dose rate (LDR; 22.6%) prostate brachytherapy (BT) CONCLUSION: Graduating RO residents in this analysis were satisfied with their training programs, albeit with low confidence in certain treatment modalities. This data highlights areas of strength within RO training programs and identifies opportunities for improvement to produce graduates ready to enter independent practice with the full scope of RO techniques.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.03.035

    View details for PubMedID 40164356

  • How Ending Affirmative Action May Affect Radiation Oncology Workforce and Our Patients: A Collaboration of the American Society of Radiation Oncology, Society of Chairs of Academic Radiation Oncology Programs, Association for Directors of Radiation Oncology Programs, and Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology. International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics LeCompte, M. C., Gibbs, I. C., Taparra, K., Suneja, G., Jr, C. D., Ii, Z. W., MacDuffie, E., Pinnix, C. C., Kamrava, M., Jimenez, R. B., Currey, A. D., Chen, Y., Franco, I. 2024

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.06.014

    View details for PubMedID 38944312

  • The role of annexins in central nervous system development and disease. Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany) White, Z. B., Nair, S., Bredel, M. 2024

    Abstract

    Annexins, a group of Ca2+-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins, exert diverse roles in neuronal development, normal central nervous system (CNS) functioning, neurological disorders, and CNS tumors. This paper reviews the roles of individual annexins (A1-A13) in these contexts. Annexins possess unique structural and functional features, such as Ca2+-dependent binding to phospholipids, participating in membrane organization, and modulating cell signaling. They are implicated in various CNS processes, including endocytosis, exocytosis, and stabilization of plasma membranes. Annexins exhibit dynamic roles in neuronal development, influencing differentiation, proliferation, and synaptic formation in CNS tissues. Notably, annexins such as ANXA1 and ANXA2 play roles in apoptosis and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and depression, involve annexin dysregulation, influencing neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier integrity, and stress responses. Moreover, annexins contribute to the pathogenesis of CNS tumors, either promoting or suppressing tumor growth, angiogenesis, and invasion. Annexin expression patterns vary across different CNS tumor types, providing potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. This review underscores the multifaceted roles of annexins in the CNS, highlighting their importance in normal functioning, disease progression, and potential therapeutic interventions.

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s00109-024-02443-7

    View details for PubMedID 38639785

    View details for PubMedCentralID 3436854

  • The adherence to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma and its impact on survival. Journal of cancer research and therapeutics Manne, A., Mulekar, M., Escobar, D., Prodduturvar, P., Fahmawi, Y., Henderson, P., Abdul-Rahim, O., Hussain, Z., Liles, S., Fonseca, A., Howard, J. H., Mneimneh, W., Gilbert, R., Alkharabsheh, O., Pai, S., White, Z. B., Nelson, C., Khushman, M. 2023; 19 (5): 1103-1108

    Abstract

    In two Korean and Italian studies, the adherence rate (AR) to ASSLD 2005 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 60%. In a US study, the AR to American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) 2005 guidelines was 73.3%, 26.8%, 25.3%, and 58.8% for patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage A, B, C, and D, respectively, and nonadherence to guidelines was associated with longer overall survival (OS) in patients with BCLC Stage D. Here, we explored the AR to AASLD 2018 guidelines and its impact on OS.Between 2017 and 2019, 148 unique treatment-naïve patients with HCC were identified. Patients were staged according to the BCLC staging system and their AR to AASLD 2018 guidelines was noted. OS was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Survivals among patients from different groups was compared using Log-rank test.The overall AR to AASLD 2018 guidelines was 83%. The AR for BCLC Stages 0, A, B, C, and D were 100%, 97%, 77%, 77%, and 38%, respectively. In patients with BCLC Stage D, the OS of patients treated with modalities adherent versus nonadherent to AASLD 2018 guidelines was 0.03 vs. 5.2 months (P = 0.0005). Otherwise, adherence versus nonadherence to AASLD 2018 guidelines showed no statistically significant differences in OS for patients with BCLC Stages 0, A, B, and C.The overall AR to AASLD 2018 guidelines was 83%. Nonadherence to AASLD 2018 guidelines in patients with BCLC Stage D translated into better OS.

    View details for DOI 10.4103/jcrt.jcrt_1861_20

    View details for PubMedID 37787270

  • Analysis of the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology Equity and Inclusion Subcommittee (ARRO EISC) Black History Month (BHM) Campaign: Moving Beyond Awareness Ewongwo, A., Pereira, I., White, Z., LeCompte, M., Washington, C., Bajaj, A., Sim, A., Vidal, G., Franco, I. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2022: E16-E17

    View details for Web of Science ID 000841321300031

  • Longitudinal Analysis of a Social Media Campaign to Increase Awareness and Engagement Among Radiation Oncologists for Black History Month (BHM) Ewongwo, A., Pereira, I., White, Z., LeCompte, M., Washington, C., Taparra, K., Ponce, S., Elbanna, M., Bajaj, A., Sim, A., Balogun, O., Rivera, A., Chaurasia, A., Vidal, G., Franco, I. LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. 2022: S46-S47

    View details for Web of Science ID 000847787800099

  • Effect of Terminology Used to Describe Medical Oncologists on Perceptions of Radiation Oncologists as Equal Partners in Cancer Care. Advances in radiation oncology Mattes, M. D., White, Z., Golden, D. W., Vapiwala, N., Herman, J. M., Royce, T. J. 2021; 6 (1): 100560

    Abstract

    Our purpose was to assess the terminology used to describe the different oncologic subspecialties at academic institutions in the United States and determine whether the use of the term "oncologist" to describe a medical oncologist (MO) may affect the multidisciplinary care of patients with cancer.An electronic survey was sent to chairs and program directors at all 94 academic radiation oncology departments in the United States. Questions assessed the terminology used to describe the oncologic subspecialties in their hospital's electronic medical record system, their views on how that terminology may affect referral patterns, and the perception of radiation oncologists' (ROs) role in patient care.Responses were received from 40 institutions (response rate, 42.6%). Fifteen percent of hospital electronic medical record systems used the term "oncology" instead of "medical oncology" (51%) or "hematology/oncology" (28%). Describing MOs simply as "oncologists" was thought to more likely affect patient views of MOs as the primary decision maker in their cancer care (mean Likert-type rating, 3.43) than it would affect the probability of up-front multidisciplinary referrals (mean Likert-type rating, 2.69). Patient perceptions of ROs as equal partners in care were thought to be less associated with the terminology used to describe MOs (mean Likert-type rating, 3.15) than the behavior of ROs in patient care (mean Likert-type rating, 4.65; P < .001), the attitude of MOs toward ROs (mean Likert-type rating, 4.59; P < .001), and the involvement of ROs in the initial new patient visits rather than a downstream referral (mean Likert-type rating, 3.95; P < .001).The terminology used to describe MOs was thought to affect patient and provider perceptions of RO, but less so than other patient-provider interaction factors.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.adro.2020.09.001

    View details for PubMedID 33869897

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC8042774

  • Impact of ANXA7 I1 Expression on PDGFRA and MET Endosomal Trafficking in Glioblastoma White, Z. B., Dates, C., Rajbhandari, R., Nair, S., Nozell, S., Bredel, M. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2019: E683

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.06.1009

    View details for Web of Science ID 000485671502111