Mr. Robert R. Birdwell, MD, FACP

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Get to know Oncologist and Hematologist Dr. Robert R. Birdwell, who serves patients in Beaumont, Texas.

A respected and beloved medical oncologist and hematologist among his patients and peers, Dr. Birdwell is the Co-Director of the Breast Cancer Navigation Program at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – St. Elizabeth in Beaumont, Texas.

As Beaumont’s first trained oncologist, he has seen – and had his hand in – incredible advancements in cancer care in the region. Effective April 30, 2021, he retired from Texas Oncology, where he served patients at the following locations: Texas Oncology-Beaumont & Texas Oncology-Beaumont Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center.

Graduating with his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Birdwell went on to earn his medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School. He then performed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, and his fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at Duke University Medical Center in North Carolina.

After medical school and completing his fellowships, he could have gone anywhere to practice clinical oncology, which was considered a new and groundbreaking area of medicine at the time. Instead, he saw a need in his hometown of Beaumont and went home to serve his community.

He established his practice in 1979 – the first in Beaumont – and in 1985 helped to create the first radiation oncology facility in the region. For the first 10 years of the practice, Dr. Birdwell stated times were tough due to a lull in medical advancements.

In 1995, his practice joined Texas Oncology, which provided a tremendous amount of support and resources for training nurses, creating clinical practice pathways, and quality assurance.

A Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP) and a member of the American Society for Clinical Oncology, the doctor is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A medical oncologist treats cancer using chemotherapy or other medications, such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. Hematologists are medical practitioners who specialize in treating conditions of the blood. Their primary responsibilities include testing and diagnosing patients, treating diseases such as anemia or hemophilia, and prescribing medications or dietary advice.

Among Dr. Birdwell’s various accolades include: Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, The University of Texas; Alpha Omega Alpha, UT Southwestern Medical School; Texas Club of Internists, Past President; Texas Society of Clinical Oncology, Past President; and Texas Monthly Super Doctor, 12 years.

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