Radiation Oncology Physicians

At Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center’s Radiation Oncology Department, our team of three full-time, board-certified radiation oncologists and a physician assistant delivers exceptional, compassionate care.

PHYSICIANS

Sunjay M. Barton, MD
Istvan Pataki, MD
Thomas Walden, MD
Abhijeet Bhirud, MD
Allan Seffels, PA-C

Sunjay Barton, MD
Dr. Barton grew up in Chapel Hill, NC, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from Swarthmore College in 2009. He subsequently moved to New York City, where he taught high school chemistry as a Teach for America corps member, also earning a Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University in 2011.

He received his MD from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed Medicine Internship at Mount Sinai St. Luke's-Roosevelt, and completed residency training in Radiation Oncology at NYU Langone Health, serving as Chief Resident during the 2021-2022 academic year. Dr. Barton's research focused on combining stereotactic body radiation therapy with immunotherapy to improve the treatment of pediatric cancers. His work has resulted in numerous journal articles, abstracts and book chapters.

Dr. Barton is overjoyed to be back in North Carolina and close to his family. He is passionate about working with the team at Cape Fear Valley Health to deliver cutting edge cancer care. On the weekends, he enjoys hiking in the region's beautiful state parks.

Dr. Barton is a member of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO).


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Istvan Pataki, MD
A native of Toronto, Canada, Dr. Pataki received his medical degree from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1994.

After completing a residency in Radiation Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital at the University of Toronto, Dr. Pataki completed a fellowship in brachytherapy at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Dr. Pataki served as Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in New Brunswick, N.J. from 2000 to 2001.

From 2001 until October 2005, Dr. Pataki was affiliated with the Department of Radiation Oncology at Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Pataki is a member of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, the American Brachytherapy Society, the American College of Radiation Oncology and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada).

In addition to giving many talks to both physician and patient communities, Dr. Pataki has written several journal articles. He has also co-authored a textbook chapter on the Management of Advanced Stage Endometrial Cancer.

Dr. Pataki is board certified through the American Board of Radiology (Therapy) and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Canada).

Dr. Pataki is an avid runner and tennis player. Dr. Pataki and his wife, who is also a radiation oncologist, have two small children. When not at work, Dr. Pataki enjoys spending time with his wife, children and extended family.

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Thomas Walden, Jr., MD, Ph D
Dr. Walden is from Raleigh, N.C., and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from North Carolina State University in 1975. He received a Master of Science degree in 1979 and a Ph.D. in 1983, both in Radiation Biology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.

While a graduate student, Dr. Walden was the recipient of a one-year research grant from the American Cancer Society and a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship. He completed a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship.

After earning his Ph.D., Dr. Walden worked at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI) in Bethesda, Md. from 1983 to 1989. Dr. Walden’s interest in radiation biology and cancer led him to apply to medical school, and in 1993 he received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

After an internship at Fairfax Hospital in Annandale, V.a, Dr. Walden completed a residency in Radiation Oncology from the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. in 1997.

Dr. Walden joined the Cancer Center in 1999, moving from Richmond, Va., where he was Clinical Assistant Professor at Medical College of Virginia and on the staff of the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Dr. Walden also practices in Lumberton at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. Dr. Walden’s vast knowledge of radiation therapy makes him a respected participant and presenter at cancer conferences in Fayetteville and Lumberton. He is the co-author or numerous scientific and medical journal articles in the fields of radiation biology and radiation oncology.

Dr. Walden’s memberships include the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association for Cancer Research, American Medical Association, American Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology, American Society for Clinical Oncology, North Carolina Medical Society and Sigma Xi.

Dr. Walden is certified by the American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology.
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Abhijeet Bhirud, MD
Abhijeet Bhirud, MD, was born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia.

Dr. Bhirud graduated with a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Duke University in 2003. After working briefly in business consulting, he decided to pursue a career in medicine.

Dr. Bhirud attended the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. He completed his residency in radiation oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. During medical school and residency, he worked on clinical research studies which were presented at the Association of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology annual meetings and published in peer reviewed journals.

Dr. Bhirud is a member of the Association of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Bhirud is excited to be back in North Carolina and looking forward to enjoying the year-round outdoor weather with his wife and daughter. He likes to play tennis and watch college basketball in his free time.

Dr. Bhirud is certified by the American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology.

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Allan Seffels, PA-C
A resident of Fayetteville since 1971, Allan Seffels is a Physician Assistant in the Radiation Oncology Department at the Cancer Center. He works with Dr. Bryan, Dr. Walden and Dr. Pataki, assessing and managing cancer patients who are receiving radiation therapy.

Allan graduated from Terry Sanford High School in Fayetteville in 1972. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina in 1976.

In 1987, Allan graduated from the Physician Assistant Program at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. He is a Certified Physician Assistant.

From 1987 to 1989, Allan worked with Vic Keranen, MD, a Fayetteville Neurosurgeon. From 1989 to 1995 he was associated with Cape Fear Orthopedic Clinic in Fayetteville. Allan joined the Radiation Oncology Department at the Cancer Center in 1995.

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