Dr. Omar Ishaq

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age: 33 | Radiation Oncologist | CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System

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Radiation oncologist Dr. Omar Ishaq loves what he does. “It’s my passion to deal directly with patients and help eliminate their fears for what can be a very scary journey,” he said. At the W. Temple Webber Cancer Center, Omar uses cutting-edge scientific research and a well rounded perspective to care for his patients.

“Treating cancer from a holistic perspective is what I aim to do,” he said, “providing sound treatment plans and other suggested ways to improve chances of survival and quality of life. Radiation oncology is an intellectually challenging and exciting career at the cutting edge of patient care, technology, and research, and it gives me the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of cancer patients while working with a fascinating, technologically advanced, and constantly evolving form of treatment.” 

Best advice you’ve ever received:

“EVERY MAN DIES, BUT NOT EVERY MAN TRULY LIVES.” — FROM BRAVEHEART

Omar takes pride not just in his career but also in his status as a Texarkana resident, considering his greatest professional accomplishment to be “receiving the opportunity to represent Texarkana as a ‘Fabulous 40 and Under,’” he said. “I’ve been amazed by how much the community continues to thrive when giving back. I see Texarkana as a united community that effectively operates as a whole, supporting each other and giving everything that we can to one another. I am blessed to be a part of the wonderful community here and am honored to serve on the board of the Northeast Texas Chapter of the Red Cross and as a Pink Tie Guy for our local Komen Race for the Cure®.”

Outside of the Ark-La-Tex, Omar loves to travel, a passion that was ignited when he studied abroad in Greece, Japan, Mexico, and South Africa through a selective scholarship at the University of Florida. “Those life experiences taught me more than anything I could have learned in a book,” he reflected. That experiential education continues today, as Omar spends his free time exploring new places, cooking foreign cuisines, and just “creating new life experiences” with his loved ones. 

Name something about you that very few people know:

“I love to dance, although I sometimes struggle with rhythm. I look forward to meeting you out on the dance floor!”