Mohammad I. Abu Zaid, MD

As director of the Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant Program, part of Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Hematology Oncology Associates—Mineola, I see adult patients on Long Island with blood conditions and cancers that require a stem cell transplant or other cellular therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, a type of personalized immunotherapy.

As the first physician–scientist in my family, I have always enjoyed helping people and solving complex problems. I was drawn to hematology–oncology because it gives me the opportunity to form close relationships with my patients. Stem cell transplantation is a marathon, not a sprint. I enjoy getting to know my patients and guiding them through the critical stages of the process.

On Long Island, we can offer patients with cancer the highest-quality care close to home, without the need to travel or temporarily relocate elsewhere. A stem cell transplant may offer patients their only chance for a cure from cancer. In addition, for patients who have lymphoma or multiple myeloma, novel therapies such as CAR T cell therapy have shown impressive success rates.

My research focuses on survivorship after transplant for germ cell tumors and prevention and treatment of graft-versus-host disease, a possible complication of stem cell transplant. I also established the Indiana Myeloma Registry. My research has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Blood, and other major journals. I have received many awards over the years, including the Indiana University Board of Trustees’ Teaching Award (2023), the Heroes of Medicine Award (2020), and the American Society of Oncology Merit Award (2016).

I always tell my patients that when they are going through a complicated process such as stem cell transplant or CAR T cell therapy, they become part of our family. We take care of them like we take care of family, which involves personalizing treatment based not only on their disease but also on their priorities and preferences.

Blood disorders and treatment can be complex. My philosophy is to try to simplify the process for patients and their families as much as possible. While we can’t always promise a successful outcome, we can always promise the best care possible.