07/29/2026
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When New Albany resident David Beers arrived at Baptist Health Floyd in severe pain, he expected to hear what he'd feared β kidney stones.
He was right.
But the CT scan that confirmed the diagnosis also revealed something far more concerning β a mass that could easily have been overlooked.
Fortunately for Beers, it wasn't.
Biruk Almaz, MD, a colorectal surgeon at Baptist Health Floyd, recognized that the finding warranted a closer look.
βRather than stopping at the obvious diagnosis, our team pursued additional testing using advanced imaging, which revealed a rare cancer originating in the small intestine that had already spread to blood vessels within the abdomen and to the liver,β Dr. Almaz said.
A few years ago, a complex cancer case like this one would have been transferred to a larger medical facility. But that is no longer the case. More cases like this are being performed at Baptist Health Floyd.
βThis case reflects what Baptist Health Floyd strives to provide every day: patient-centered care, thoughtful teamwork across specialties, advanced technology, and innovative treatment delivered close to home,β Dr. Almaz said. βIt demonstrates that patients in our region do not always need to leave their community to receive sophisticated cancer care. It showcases not only the technology we have available, but also the collaborative approach and commitment to providing exceptional care for our patients.β
After further tests and consultation with the tumor board, Dr. Almaz along with Timothy Dawson, MD, performed the surgery.
Dr. Almaz said additional specialized blood testing confirmed that the tumor was producing hormones responsible for many of the symptoms Beers had been experiencing.
βOur multidisciplinary team carefully reviewed his case and developed a personalized treatment plan. Using robotic minimally invasive surgery, we removed the primary tumor while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. At the same operation, we used real-time ultrasound guidance to precisely identify tumors within the liver and treated them using advanced heat-ablation technology, allowing us to destroy the cancer without removing large portions of the liver.β
Despite the complexity of the surgery, the 78-year-old Beersβ recovery has been remarkable. After only two days in the hospital, he was walking and eating a regular diet just hours after the operation.
βDr. Almaz and his team have been really great β¦ made me feel at ease and well informed,β Beers said. βI knew every step that was going on. As soon as they knew things for sure they acted and that was reassuring. Everything was moving ahead of schedule. After a couple days they got me right in. I had a pet scan, another test, and the surgery. I was expecting it to be six to eight weeks, a drawn-out affair, but it turned out to be two weeks.β
Dr. Almaz said the neuroendocrine tumors, which donβt show up on routines scans, can be difficult to locate. He removed a tumor in Beers small intestine and thanks to a special ultrasound used laparoscopically with a camera attached, located another small tumor that didnβt show up on the original scan. A mass had also attached itself to the liver which he was able to remove through ablation.
βMy involvement with cancer has evolved. We didnβt do many cancer operations at Floyd, other than breasts or certain emergencies before I arrived. When I came we started the GI tumor board and due to good outcomes, other groups have started sending me patients,β Dr. Almaz said. βWe are trying to keep as many patients as we can on this side of the bridge. We are getting referrals from other facilities. They are all coming because of the quality of care and good outcome that we are having here at Floyd. We are pushing the envelope in this minimally invasive surgical world. Small incisions, quick recovery.β
Almaz also praised the efforts of GI Oncology Navigator Erin Allen, RN, BSN, who has been at Baptist Health Floyd for six months.
βThat really changed things β¦ that really changed the way we are taking care of patients,β he said. βShe meets with the patients and has been a liaison.β
Baptist Health Floyd President Mike Schroyer said he is proud of the team and the level of care provided to patients at the hospital.
βWe are proud and honored to be able to provide this level of expertise and specialty care to patients in southern Indiana and northern Kentucky,β Schroyer said. βAs a Regional Rural Referral Center, we strive to provide this level of care and surgery so people can stay close to home for a higher level of care. We are so proud of our multidisciplinary team, led by Dr. Almaz, who have dedicated themselves to developing and delivering this level of care to our patients. We are excited and happy to see Mr. Beers doing so well and will continue to be here for him, and the communities we serve.β
Beers said he was βvery pleasedβ with Dr. Almaz and the care he received at Baptist Health Floyd.
βHe is very professional,β Beers said. βHe gave a great amount of urgency to my case, and I was really pleased with that. I am getting around and eating with no issues. I am feeling pretty good right now.β
