Derek Helton, M.D.

Hematology and Medical Oncology Diplomate, Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology Dr. Derek Helton is drawn to the care of the whole patient in the fight against cancer and the relationships forged along the way. Dr. Helton's education and training began at California Lutheran University where he received his B.S. in Biological Sciences, Summa Cum Laude, in 1996. He earned his M.D. Degree at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine with Alpha Omega Alpha honors in 2000.

He completed an Internship, Residency, and was then Chief Medical Resident in Internal Medicine at the University of California, San Diego. Thereafter he completed fellowship in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles-Olive View and Cedars Sinai Medical Centers, where he twice earned distinction as the Most Outstanding Subspecialty Fellow.

Dr. Helton holds broad clinical and research interests, treating patients with many solid tumor as well as blood and marrow based malignancies. He believes that the future in our field of medicine holds more patient-specific therapies that will be selected for a given patient and the biology of their disease. He also believes that utilizing all available supportive resources for a patient and their family - psychologic, social, spiritual, to name a few - strongly influence a patient's experience of their own health and illness.

Since 1996 Dr. Helton has actively participated in patient care advocacy on local and national levels. He is a former Delegate to the American and California Medical Associations and serves as a board member for the American College of Physicians Southern California Region III Chapter. He enjoys contributing as a mentor to physicians in training through these venues as well.

Dr. Helton is a musician and enjoys playing piano, reading, coastal recreation, and travel. He hails from Orange, CA and appreciates remaining close to his family in the Southern California area.