One of Us: Shyam Paryani

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A Jacksonville native, Dr. Shyam Paryani is actively involved in the local medical community, serving as director of First Radiation and Oncology Group (FROG) while also teaching graduate courses at the University of North Florida.

What are your duties and responsibilities as director of First Radiation and Oncology Group?

I have been director of the First Radiation & Oncology Group (commonly known as FROG) since 1983. At that time, we had one cancer center and three physicians. As director, I helped grow the practice to 40 cancer centers through a national company with over 150 affiliated physicians and 300 staff. I also managed daily operations of the 12 Florida cancer centers.

You also teach at your alma mater, University of North Florida. What courses do you teach?

I received a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA) from UNF in 2002. I was asked to teach the Health Care Quality course for the MHA students starting in 2011. I am the only faculty member that has taught this course since that time. I was selected as the Most Outstanding UNF Alumnus in the College of Health in April 2017.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I take the students into a clinical situation and they attempt to develop a plan for a real-life quality issue. It is rewarding to see them learn the process and use it to advance their career. I try to keep in touch with the students after their graduation and help them with their endeavors.

You grew up in Jacksonville. How did you become interested in medicine?

I attended  Fort Caroline Junior High School and Terry Parker High School. I did my undergraduate and medical training at the University of Florida. I finished my residency training at Stanford University. I came back to Jacksonville in 1983 to join my father, Dr. B.T. Paryani, and Dr. Walter Scott, who pioneered cancer care in North Florida since 1957. Both my father and Dr. Scott were my heroes and helped mentor me to become a radiation oncologist and expand our cancer services both in Florida and nationally.

What is your favorite part of living on the First Coast?

While our children were growing up and in school, we went on summer vacation each year and often to the Caribbean islands. Now that we are empty nesters, we finally discovered that staying in Ponte Vedra in the summer is like a vacation every day, with the lovely beaches, restaurants, golf and several resorts at our doorsteps. We live in a beach resort and enjoy it every day!

How do you enjoy spending your free time?

I love watching our local sports teams, the UNF Osprey basketball team, the Florida Gators, the Armada and the Jaguars. I also look forward to walking on the beach with my wife, Sharon, and enjoy photography and racing cars!