William Slayton, M.D.

My patients and colleagues call me "Dr. Bill," and I joined the division of pediatric hematology and oncology in 2002, with a focus on platelet disorders and leukemia. I received my bachelor’s degree in biology from Oberlin College and my medical degree from the University of Florida. I also completed a pediatric internship, pediatric residency, and pediatric fellowship at UF.

I was inspired to go into medicine by my father who was a pioneer in adult oncology. I always admired him for his work but could not imagine how he could work with such sick people. When I was in medical school and as a resident, I was always most comfortable working with patients with cancer, and I am sure this is because of my father’s influence. I am naturally a pediatrician as I love to work with children. I am now the chief of the division, and I also chair the Children’s Oncology Group clinical trial AALL0622, Improved Targeted Tyrosine Kinase Therapy for Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

As a pediatric oncologist I have worked hard to improve the treatments for children with leukemia. I have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work on and then lead clinical trials using new targeted therapies for children with high risk leukemia. My laboratory has interest in how normal and leukemic stem cell interact with the bone marrow microenvironment. My current projects are focused on developing better therapies for Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Infant Leukemia.

My goal has been doing be a great teacher and lead my division and my department to provide the best care for our patients. My experiences with my own parents illnesses has instilled in me a fierce allegiance with my patients. I have assembled a team of like-minded providers who want to do the very best for our kids.

In my free time, I frequently volunteer at Camp Boggy Creek, sing in three a capella groups, and write limericks. I've also organized wilderness river trips for children who have completed their cancer treatment. I'm married to Dr. Marci Slayton, a pediatrician, and we have three children. I also have a large garden and really enjoy birdwatching and cooking.