WMCC Welcomes Third Surgical Oncologist to its Expert Team
Kalamazoo, MI – Sept. 2, 2025 — West Michigan Cancer Center (WMCC) is pleased to announce the addition of Aeryn Kangas-Dick, MD, a board-certified general surgeon and surgical oncologist, to its surgical oncology team. Dr. Kangas-Dick brings a wealth of expertise in the treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, further strengthening WMCC’s commitment to providing advanced, comprehensive cancer care in Southwest Michigan.
Dr. Kangas-Dick earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT, and completed her medical education at St. George’s University in Grenada. She went on to complete a general surgery residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. Her passion for cancer care and surgical innovation led her to pursue two prestigious fellowships: a clinical research fellowship in the Division of Surgical Oncology at Rutgers Cancer Institute in New Brunswick, NJ, and a fellowship in complex general surgical oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY.
Her clinical interests include hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery, gastric and GI surgery, melanoma and minimally invasive techniques for complex oncologic procedures. She brings to Kalamazoo unique expertise in robotic esophagectomy, expanding WMCC’s capabilities in advanced, minimally invasive surgical options.
Dr. Kangas-Dick has been recognized for her dedication to education, receiving the Golden Apple Award for Surgical Teaching at Maimonides and a nomination for the Siegel Award for Excellence in Teaching at the State University of New York at Buffalo. She currently serves as an assistant professor of surgery at the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, where she continues her commitment to mentorship and clinical education.
Her research focuses on surgical outcomes, tumor genetics and immunology, healthcare disparities, and innovations in minimally invasive cancer surgery. Her work is published in numerous respected medical journals and contributes to the evolving landscape of surgical oncology.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Kangas-Dick to our multidisciplinary team,” said Bridget VandenBussche, MHA, CPHRM, and Executive Director of WMCC. “Her expertise and compassionate approach to patient care will be a tremendous asset to our community.”
For more information or to refer a patient to Dr. Kangas-Dick, please visit wmcc.org or call 269-382-2500.
