David S. Van Mater, MD, PhD
Accepting New Patients
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Working with kids is very inspiring. I love the way that they handle adversity with such courage. My goal is to make their life as normal as possible.
– David S. Van Mater, MD, PhD

David S. Van Mater, MD, PhD

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Specialist

Duke Health Provider question
Accepting New Patients
Call for an Appointment
Where I See Patients
Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center - Durham, NC
Board Certified
American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Working with kids is very inspiring. I love the way that they handle adversity with such courage. My goal is to make their life as normal as possible.
– David S. Van Mater, MD, PhD

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About Me

I’m a pediatric hematologist and oncologist that treats children with cancer and non-malignant blood problems. Additionally, I work in the neurofibromatosis clinic where I collaborate with other outstanding care providers throughout Duke to care for patients with neurofibromatosis and related disorders. I strive to utilize the resources of the Duke system to improve the health of my patients. Working with kids is very inspiring. I love the way that they handle adversity with such courage. Their energy and hope really carries me through the day. When I meet a child and their family for the first time, I try to identify the key problems that are affecting their life and preventing them from doing things that are important to them. My goal is to make their life as normal as possible. Outside of work, I enjoy coaching youth soccer, playing ultimate frisbee, and spending time with my wife and our three kids.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages I Speak
English

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Training and Education

Board Certification
American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Fellowship
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, 2009-2013
Residency
Pediatrics, C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, University of Michigan, 2006-2009
Education
MD, University of Michigan Medical School, 2006

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

I am a pediatric oncologist with a specific interest in hereditary cancer syndromes and sarcoma. I am co-director of the Duke Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis Clinic where I see children and adults with neurofibromatosis type I and II, in addition to schwannomatosis. From a research standpoint, I use mouse models of sarcoma to better understand the complex relationship between genetic mutations and the microenvironment in tumor formation.

Publications and Grants

Insurance Accepted

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.

    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.

    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.

    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Healthgram
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • Healthy Blue
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.
  • Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a subsidiary of AstraZeneca