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Thor R. Halfdanarson, M.D.

  1. Hematologist
  2. Oncologist
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Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Thorvardur R. Halfdanarson, M.D., is a medical oncologist focusing on gastrointestinal malignancies, especially neuroendocrine tumors and hepatobiliary tumors. His clinical focus includes:

  • Management of neuroendocrine malignancies (carcinoid tumors included) of all types and origins
  • Treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, especially in the setting of multidisciplinary care
  • Management of patients with colorectal cancer including locally recurrent rectal cancer
  • Diagnosis and management of patients with cancers of unknown primary site
  • Thoracic malignancies, especially neuroendocrine tumors (lung carcinoid tumors)

In addition to his clinical activities, Dr. Halfdanarson is active in both research and education. His research focus is primarily on neuroendocrine tumors ranging from epidemiology to therapy including novel therapeutics in clinical trials. Dr. Halfdanarson is an assistant program director for the Hematology/Oncology fellowship program at Mayo Clinic. He has received numerous awards for teaching residents and fellows.

  1. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
  2. Neuroendocrine tumor
  3. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor
  • Neuroendocrine tumors of all types and origins including carcinoid tumors
  • High-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma of all types and origins
  • Carcinoid syndrome
  • Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1)
  • Biliary cancer (cholangiocarcinoma) including gallbladder cancer
  • Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Small-bowel cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Anal cancer
  • Carcinoma of unknown primary
  • Lung cancer
  1. 2007
    FellowDepartment of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  2. 2007
    ResidentHematology/Oncology, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2003
    ResidentDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  4. 2000
    Chief ResidentDepartment of Pediatrics, Reykjavik Hospital
  5. 1999
    Chief ResidentDepartment of Internal Medicine, Reykjavik Hospital
  6. 1998
    ResidentDepartment of Internal Medicine, Reykjavik Hospital
  7. 1997
    ResidentDepartment of Neurology and Rehabilitation, Reykjavik Hospital
  8. 1996
    ResidentDepartment of Pediatrics, Reykjavik Hospital
  9. 1996
    Internship - Rotating Internship (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry and Emergency Medicine)Reykjavik Hospital
  10. 1995
    MDFaculty of Medicine, University of Iceland

Certifications

  1. 2007
    Medical OncologyAmerican Board of Internal Medicine
  2. 2006
    HematologyAmerican Board of Internal Medicine
  3. 2003
    Internal MedicineAmerican Board of Internal Medicine

Awards and honors

  1. 2018
    Teacher of the Year Award Divisions of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Fellows Association, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
  2. 2018
    • Recognition for Excellence in Clinical Teaching Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
  3. 2017
    Teacher of YearDivisions of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Mayo Fellows Association, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
  4. 2017
    Recognition for Excellence in Clinical TeachingInternal Medicine Residency, Department of Internal Medicine
  5. 2016
    Department of Internal Medicine Teacher of the YearDepartment of Education Administration
  6. 2016
    Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Teacher of the YearDepartment of Education Administration
  7. 2016
    Recognition for Excellence in Clinical TeachingInternal Medicine Residency Program, Department of Medicine
  8. 2014
    Educator of the YearInternal Medicine and Medical Subspecialties, Department of Internal Medicine
  9. 2011
    Annual Physician Excellence Award (Teacher of the Year)University of Iowa
  10. 2009
    Annual Physician Excellence Award (Teacher of the Year)University of Iowa
  11. 2007
    ASCO Foundation Merit AwardAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology
  12. 2006
    Michael A. O'Connor Young Investigator/Travel Award3rd Mayo Clinic State of the Art Symposium on Hematologic Malignancies
  13. 2003
    Nominated as the Resident Teacher of the YearUniversity of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  14. 2003
    Resident of ExcellenceDepartment of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  15. 2002
    Nominated as the Resident Teacher of the YearUniversity of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  16. 2002
    Award for good performance on the Internal Medicine In-Service Exam (Highest In-Service Exam Score Winner)Iowa Chapter, American College of Physicians

Professional memberships

  1. 2018 - present
    ChairGastrointestinal Tumor Study Group, Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Oncology
  2. 2018 - present
    Board of DirectorsNorth American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS)
  3. 2018 - present
    Co ChairNANETS Guidelines and Publications Committee
  4. 2017 - present
    Co-ChairColorectal Cancer Tumor Board
  5. 2017 - present
    Co-ChairColorectal Cancer Tumor Board
  6. 2016 - 2018
    MemberNANETS Regional Conference Committee
  7. 2016 - 2018
    MemberNANETS Clinical guidelines
  8. 2016 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Oncology Education & Program Evaluation Committee
  9. 2015 - present
    MemberMayo Clinic Rochester, Division of Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program Clinical Competency Committee
  10. 2014 - 2015
    MemberClinical Competency Committee, Fellowship Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology
  11. 2014 - 2015
    ChairMayo Clinic Arizona, Gastrointestinal Oncology Disease Oriented Group
  12. 2014 - present
    MemberNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Neuroendocrine Tumor Panel
  13. 2014 - present
    MemberAmerican Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
  14. 2013 - 2014
    MemberMortality Review Committee, Mayo Clinic Hospital
  15. 2013 - 2014
    MemberMortality Review Committee, Quality and Process Improvement Committee, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  16. 2013 - 2015
    MemberFellowship Training Committee, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine
  17. 2013 - 2015
    MemberExecutive Committee, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine
  18. 2013 - 2015
    MemberClinical Practice Committee, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center - Arizona, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  19. 2013 - present
    MemberCancer Practice Subcommittee, Clinical Practice Committee - Arizona, Executive Operations Team - Arizona
  20. 2013 - present
    Program DirectorMayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Department of Education Administration
  21. 2012 - 2015
    MemberScientific Review Committee B, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center
  22. 2011
    MemberPlanning Committee, Progress in Internal Medicine Course, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  23. 2011 - present
    MemberAlliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
  24. 2011 - present
    MemberSmall Bowel Adenocarcinoma Group, International Rare Cancers Initiative
  25. 2011 - present
    MemberRare Cancer Network
  26. 2011 - present
    MemberAlliance Cooperative Group
  27. 2011 - present
    MemberSmall Bowel Adenocarcinoma Group, International Rare Cancers Initiative
  28. 2010 - 2012
    Junior MemberCALGB Esophago-Gastric Task Force
  29. 2010 - 2012
    MemberEsophago-gastric Task Force, Cancer and Leukemia Group B, National Cancer Institute
  30. 2010 - 2012
    LiaisonClinical Research, Neuroendocrine Multidisciplinary Oncology Group (MOG), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  31. 2010 - 2012
    MemberGI Malignancies Expert Group, Veterans Administration Oncology Network
  32. 2010
    MemberUniversity of Iowa Dissertation Committee
  33. 2010 - present
    MemberPhase II Consortium (P2C), National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health
  34. 2009 - 2012
    MemberRadiation Therapy Oncology Group
  35. 2009 - 2012
    LiaisonClinical Research, GI Multidisciplinary Oncology Group (MOG), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  36. 2009 - present
    MemberNorth American NeuroEndocrine Tumor Society
  37. 2009 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Hematology
  38. 2008
    MemberPlanning Committee, Progress in Internal Medicine Course, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  39. 2008 - 2011
    MemberAmerican College of Surgeons Oncology Group
  40. 2008 - present
    AuditorCancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)
  41. 2008 - present
    MemberIowa Oncology Society
  42. 2007 - 2012
    MemberHematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  43. 2007 - 2012
    MemberNational Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project
  44. 2007 - 2012
    MemberPharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee, Iowa City VA Medical Center
  45. 2007 - 2012
    Ad Hoc ReviewerProtocol Review and Monitoring Committee, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa
  46. 2007 - 2011
    MemberCancer and Leukemia Group B
  47. 2007
    MemberNorth Central Cancer Treatment Group
  48. 2007 - present
    MemberTransfusion Committee, Iowa City VA Medical Center
  49. 2007 - present
    MemberInternational Society of Gastrointestinal Oncology
  50. 2007 - present
    MemberEuropean Neuroendocrine Tumor Society
  51. 2006 - 2007
    MemberHematology-Oncology Education Committee, Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine
  52. 2006 - 2007
    MemberProtocol Review Committee, Cancer Center Clinical Research Committee, Division of Hematology
  53. 2005 - present
    MemberAmerican Society of Clinical Oncology
  54. 1998 - 2000
    MemberMedical Board, Reykjavik Hospital
  55. 1998 - 2000
    MemberCommittee for Development of Clinical Guidelines for Icelandic Health Care Professionals, Icelandic Medical Association, Icelandic Associations
  56. 1998 - 2000
    MemberIcelandic Medical Association
  57. 1998 - 2000
    MemberCommittee for Development of Clinical Guidelines for Icelandic Health Care Professionals, Icelandic Medical Association
  58. 1998 - 1999
    MemberMedical Board, Reykjavik Hospital
  59. 1995 - present
    MemberIcelandic Medical Association

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.