Northside Melanoma and Sarcoma Specialists of Georgia is pleased to welcome Nicole Kounalakis, M.D., as the newest physician to its practice in Sandy Springs. She is also the medical director of the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, Melanoma and Sarcoma Programs. A board-certified and fellowship-trained oncologist, Dr. Kounalakis joins Dr. Scott Davidson and will provide comprehensive care and treatment to patients with a melanoma diagnosis and soft tissue sarcomas.
 
“I am committed to providing patients the best possible cancer care in alignment with their individual goals and needs. I am very passionate about providing comprehensive multidisciplinary care to melanoma patients,” Dr. Kounalakis said.

Dr. Kounalakis received her medical degree from Rutgers Medical School (formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) in Newark, New Jersey. She went on to complete her surgical residency at Rutgers Medical School in New Brunswick, and completed a surgical oncology fellowship at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California.
 
Prior to joining Northside Melanoma & Sarcoma Specialists of Georgia, Dr. Kounalakis worked at the University of Colorado Medical Center for 10 years, four of which she served as an associate professor of surgery in the division of surgical oncology.
 
Dr. Kounalakis is proficient in various surgical procedures to treat different types of malignancies.
 
“I specialize in wide local excision of melanoma, sentinel lymph node biopsy, resection of sarcomas, and completion lymph node dissections. My research focus is in improving oncologic outcomes in head and neck melanomas.”

She believes that cancer care requires compassion in addition to one’s medical expertise. She strives to learn and develop a connection with her patients and then work with them to treat their cancer. She says that being a part of an excellent multidisciplinary team allows her to provide both medical and surgical options to her patients.
 
Dr. Kounalakis lives in Northeast Atlanta with her husband and son, and enjoys hiking, cycling and skiing.