Ann Ochs, D.O.
Medical Oncologist

Professional Education and Experience

Dr. Ochs completed her undergraduate studies at Baylor University and the University of Texas at Arlington. She graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. Her internship, residency and fellowship were completed at Texas A&M University, Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas.

After completing her education, Dr. Ochs joined Texas A&M University Health Science Center in College Station as an assistant professor of medicine. She remained in this position for two years. In 2005, Dr. Ochs relocated to Fort Worth to join the physician staff of The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. In addition to her concern for all cancer patients, Dr. Ochs has a special interest in lung cancer and smoking cessation.

Certification

Dr. Ochs is board certified in both Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Honors and Memberships

• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
• American Society of Hematology (ASH)
• Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
• American Medical Association (AMA)
• Texas Medical Association (TMA)
• TMA, Committee on Cancer, alternate Fellow Representative (2000-2001)
• Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA)

Behind the White Coat: More About Your Doctor

Dr. Ann-Margaret Ochs still keeps in touch with a young patient she diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia during the last years of her medical training. “She had a very long and arduous chemotherapy treatment program that required frequent hospitalizations,” Ochs said. The young woman survived, went into a complete remission, and is now in college. “It was so fulfilling to see her move beyond her diagnosis, and move on with her life. And I was around to witness that transformation.”

Ochs’ manner of care may be her best treatment. This soft-spoken, gentle doctor, with The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders in Weatherford, will use every technology and drug advancement available to treat cancer, but she also wants to be there to offer emotional and psychological support.

“I want to know my patients and I want to treat them in a way that I would want to be treated if in the same situation,” she said.

Her medical oncology practice and community participation make a difference in the fight against cancer, but Ochs takes her dedication a step further by offering cutting-edge treatments available through clinical trials. “I believe research is the key to advancement in oncology. Patients can benefit from participation in trials, and hopefully this in turn benefits future patients.”

Her area of interest is lung cancer, perhaps because it is so difficult to treat successfully. “Unfortunately, lung cancer is usually diagnosed in advanced stages, and this makes cure quite difficult. Screening and prevention are the best tools. Smoking cessation is paramount,” she said. “If there’s one area where I think I could make a difference, it’s in educating people on smoking cessation and lung cancer prevention.”

Ochs pursued medicine because she wanted to help others and do something that will make a difference, but there’s more to it. “Honestly, I’ve always been interested in oncology,” she said. Before going to medical school, Ochs worked in administration at a cancer center. She enjoyed the patients, but also found the disease itself and the treatments very exciting, she said.

Not that she didn’t get a little sidetracked in college. Ochs entered Baylor University as a pre-med student but left with a degree in journalism in 1989. Shortly after graduating, she realized she still wanted to be in medicine. After toying with the idea of nursing and even applying for nursing school, Ochs couldn’t shake the desire to become a doctor. So she did what most of us don’t, she pursued her dream.

Ochs graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Missouri. She did her internship, residency and fellowship at Texas A&M University, Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas. She was then assistant professor of medicine at Texas A&M University Health Science Center in College Station for two years. The doctor and her husband have one child.

“In my life, I am privileged to be able to care for people with cancer, to have them entrust their lives with me. That means the most to me,” Ochs said.