The Lowdown: Dr. Kevin Kalinsky

Atlanta is chock full of interesting “movers and shakers” — some bent on creativity, living the good life, and in this case, devoting decades to helping others. Lean in to hear some of the “off the cuff” remarks as to what makes oncologist Dr. Kevin Kalinsky tick.

Kalinsky is a medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer. He serves as professor of medicine and division director of medical oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and the Louisa and Rand Glenn Family Chair in breast cancer research.

He is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and has received various awards, including the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award. He has received funding from the NCI and Breast Cancer Research Foundation. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles. His research has led to new drug approvals in breast cancer, as well as being the primary investigator on the RxPONDER trial, which showed that a genomic tumor test can help many women with early breast cancer safely skip chemotherapy while identifying others who still need it. He has been selected as a “Top Doc” by Castle Connolly for 10-plus years and has been featured in the Atlantan and New York magazines.

He completed training at Tufts Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering before joining Columbia University Irving Medical Center in 2019. He holds a master’s in biostatistics and patient-oriented research from Columbia. He was recruited to Emory in 2020. He lives in Druid Hills with his husband, Chris, who is a medical oncologist working in drug development. Read how Dr. Kalinsky’s “atomic habits” propelled him over the New York Marathon finish line.

If I had not become a physician, I would have been a …
A producer or actor. After graduating from Emory, I spent two years in Chicago studying comedy improv at Upright Citizens Brigade and the Second City Conservatory. My biggest “break” was booking a commercial with Rachel Dratch, then being cut. As an arts supporter, I joined the Actor’s Express board, which has a great season ahead!

I’m reading …
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear. In our division leadership team, we just started a leadership book club, and this was the first book we selected.

Any exotic vacations?
In April, we went to Bhutan with five close friends. It was an amazing mix of spirituality, hiking, and learning about a culture that’s very different than ours.

If I had one more talent …
Singing without making other people want to leave the room.

I was star struck meeting …
Oprah, when she came to Charleston during Hurricane Hugo. I was a teenager and seeing her in person left me starstruck. The city was hurting and people were suffering. You could feel the impact she made on those in the audience who told her their stories.

What’s unique about being from Charleston is …
It’s a beautiful and very cultured city for its size. I am grateful to have grown up there because there was a real sense of community. In addition to my parents, my twin brothers live in Charleston and are raising their families there.

My most unusual feat is …
I ran the New York City Marathon in my early 40s. For someone who could barely run half a mile growing up without getting winded, it was an awesome experience.

Guilty pleasure?
We binge-watch television shows like professionals. Recently, “Widow’s Bay” and “The Diplomat.” I also like certain reality TV shows, but I would be too embarrassed to publicly discuss these.

Health advice for 2027?
Given my line of work, know your family history and get appropriate cancer screening, including mammography. Also, wear sunscreen.

The most important thing my parents taught me is …
As a doctor, they have reinforced that patients trust you with their lives, so your words and your actions have to mean something.

One silly or outrageous thing no one knows about me is …
I can go toe-to-toe with anyone on pop culture trivia.