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David Rowley Penberthy, MD
Accepting New Patients
UVA Health Provider

David Rowley Penberthy, MD

Radiation Oncology

Primary Location
1240 Lee Street
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Today's Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Primary Phone Number
Fax Number
434.982.3262

Additional Locations

Bio & Overview

As a radiation oncologist, David Penberthy, MD, uses radiation therapy to treat cancer. He specializes in treating breast cancer, lymphoma, and central nervous system tumors. Like many radiation oncologists, he also has expertise in treating many different types of solid tumors.

“Radiation oncology is a beautiful blend of sophisticated technology applied in medicine to treat some of the most challenging diseases affecting humanity,” he says.

Dr. Penberthy was born in Nebraska and grew up in Missouri and Virginia. He attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University and completed his radiation oncology residency at UVA. He completed his surgical internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and served in the U.S. Navy as a flight surgeon with VF-101, a fixed wing F-14 fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

Before joining UVA Health, Dr. Penberthy was an associate professor of radiation oncology at Penn State and medical director of radiation oncology at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. From 2022 to 2023, Dr. Penberthy served as president for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC).

Academic Information

Department
Medicine
Academic Role
Associate Professor
Division
Radiation Oncology
Gender
Male
Languages
English
Age Groups Seen
Adults (21-65)
Older Adults (65+)
Primary Education
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Residency
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Certification
American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology)

Reviews

78 Patient Satisfaction Ratings

Our patient satisfaction ratings are an average of all the survey responses to the below questions a provider got within the past 2 years. To protect your privacy, patients aren't identified.

See more about our patient satisfaction surveys .

Overall
4.9 Out of 5
Provider showed concern
Provider explained things clearly
Provider included you in decisions
Provider discussed treatment options
Likelihood of recommending this provider

9 Patient Comments

Reviewed on
Dr. Penberthy's knowledge and professionalism was outstanding!
Reviewed on
I recently opted for more oral chemo to help reduce my risk of recurrence. It's the right call but has been a little depressing. Dr. Penberthy was complimentary of how well I tolerated radiation and kept myself in shape. He expressed optimism for my future and even though we both know there are no guarantees, that little jolt of positivity was like a ray of sunshine at a much-needed time. Thank you Dr. Penberthy for your kindness and compassion.
Reviewed on
As stated before, he was patient with my questions and I had a positive feeling when I left.
Reviewed on
My provider was prior military. My primary care physician was prior military and I was a patient for 30 years. My primary care provider in NYC was prior military. I was his patient for 8 years. Physicians with prior military experience seem to be better listeners to patient concerns especially women of color. Female physicians also seem to listen to patients.
Reviewed on
Dr. Penberthy put me at ease - he is excellent at explaining information - has a sense of humor - and listens to what I have to say. I felt heard and valued for my perspective. His staff were very helpful and professional as well.
Reviewed on
Dr. Penberthy was able to field all my questions, engage in some of my research focused thoughts, listened and kept me at the center of his focus