Tampa Area Physicians

Dr. Noman Ashraf is a hematologist-oncologist with Tampa General Hospital who specializes in solid tumor oncology. He has been an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine since 2019. Additionally, he is actively involved with the Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship Program at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Moffitt Cancer Center. Prior to joining Tampa General, Dr. Ashraf served as the assistant chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa.

Dr. Ashraf has been an invited speaker and presenter at regional, national and international conferences, including many throughout Tampa. He has formally trained more than 80 post-graduate fellows, including many current TGH medical staff members. Dr. Ashraf has also served as a principal investigator for clinical trials and is credited with several peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and presentations in his areas of expertise.

RESIDENCY
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

FELLOWSHIP
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL

Dr. Bloom is originally from St. Petersburg, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He then returned to the University of Florida, Shands Hospital, and the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center for his internship and residency in internal medicine. He completed his fellowship training in hematology and medical oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, where he served as chief fellow.

Dr. Bloom brings with him a strong academic and clinical background dedicated to advancing care for patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. He has been actively involved in clinical research, particularly focusing on colorectal, pancreatic, and liver cancers. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and delivered numerous presentations in the field of GI oncology.
Throughout his medical training, Dr. Bloom has earned several honors and awards and is an active member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the European Society for Medical Oncology.

RESIDENCY
University of Florida, UF Health Shands Hospital and Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL

FELLOWSHIP
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

HOSPITAL STAFF PRIVILEGES
Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida

Dr. Ivan M. Borrello is a hematologist, oncologist and renowned physician-scientist who serves as Medical Director of the Myeloma, Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and Cell Therapies program within the TGH Cancer Institute. Fluent in English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, Dr. Borrello is recognized as a leader in the field of immunotherapy of hematologic malignancies (leukemias, lymphomas, multiple myeloma) as well as bone marrow and stem cell transplants. Dr. Borrello joined TGH Cancer Institute from the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he was the Medical Director of the Cell Therapy Lab, a member of the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, member of the Cellular and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program and an Associate Professor of Oncology.

Dr. Borrello’s clinical research interest is in developing immune-based therapies primarily for the treatment of multiple myeloma — cancer of the plasma cells but his research also extends into other disease. His published works include his participation in more than 100 peer-reviewed original research articles including the New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Medicine and Science Translational Medicine and is credited with numerous inventions, patents and copyrights in areas of his medical expertise. Dr. Borrello has memberships with the American Association of Cancer Research, the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the Society for Biological Therapy.

RESIDENCY
Internal Medicine - University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

FELLOWSHIP
Medical Oncology - Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Dr. Sajeel A. Chowdhary is an esteemed neuro-oncologist and the Director of Translational Research/Neuro-Oncology with the Cancer Institute at Tampa General Hospital who takes a multidisciplinary/multi-modality approach to delivering world-class care. He returns to Tampa General, where he was a staff neuro-oncologist and neurologist from 2004–2009. He was also an Assistant Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Neurology at the Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida (USF) between 2004 – 2009.

Since 2015, Dr. Chowdhary has been a Professor of Neuro-Oncology and Neurology at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine/Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton. Dr. Chowdhary has guided over 30 clinical trials focused on GBM and other brain cancers. He has been cited in numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, editorials, and manuscripts. A five-time Castle Connolly Top Doctor award winner, Dr. Chowdhary is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Neurology, the Society for Neuro-Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Brain Tumor Association, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, and the NRG Oncology Clinical Trials network.

RESIDENCY
Neurology - Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland/Florida Program, Cleveland, Ohio and Weston, Florida

FELLOWSHIP
Neuro-Oncology - University of Calgary, Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute (formerly Tom Baker Cancer Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

Mayer Fishman, MD, PhD, has more than 20 years of experience in medical oncology, specializing in urologic oncology. With a focus on creating longitudinal plans for patient care, Dr. Fishman utilizes emerging therapies and medication options to coordinate chemotherapy, medical therapy, radiation and surgical services. Dr. Fishman’s expertise in innovative care is matched by his teaching and administrative experience. In addition to being on the medical staff at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, he also served as a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa. Over 80 fellows have rotated through his clinic.

Dr. Fishman has more than 100 publications to his credit and has been invited to speak on a variety of oncology topics at lectures and seminars. He is a current member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).

RESIDENCY
Internal Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO

FELLOWSHIP
Medical Oncology and Hematology
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and USF Health
Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL

Dr. Quinto Gesiotto completed his fellowship in hematology/oncology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA, where he served as Chief Hematology Fellow. His research focuses on myeloid malignancies, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and histiocyte disorders. Before his fellowship, he completed his internal medicine residency at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. He was a member of the inaugural M.D. class at California Northstate University in Sacramento, CA. Dr. Gesiotto has authored peer-reviewed publications and abstracts in the field of myeloid malignancies and has delivered oral presentations on topics in leukemia and lymphoma. He is an active participant in the ASH Advocacy Leadership Group and has traveled to Capitol Hill to advocate for hematology legislation at the congressional level.

RESIDENCY
University of South Florida in Tampa, FL

FELLOWSHIP
Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Kansagra is a highly accomplished hematologist-oncologist and physician-scientist with a distinguished academic career at UT Southwestern Medical Center. There, he served as Assistant Director of the Outpatient Stem Cell & Cellular Therapy Program and founded the nationally recognized UT Southwestern Multidisciplinary Amyloidosis Program. He played a pivotal role in building UT Southwestern’s cellular therapy program, leading numerous clinical trials including pioneering work with the first BCMA CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma as well as multiple investigator-initiated studies advancing novel immunotherapies.

A recipient of the prestigious Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. Scholar of Clinical Medicine Award, Dr. Kansagra received a $1 million grant to support his career development and expand the amyloidosis program, in addition to securing millions in NIH, CPRIT, and industry funding as a principal and co-investigator. His landmark MAMMOTH trial helped shape FDA drug approvals and established new standards for myeloma clinical trials, with high-impact publications in JAMA Oncology, Leukemia, and other leading journals.

Dr. Kansagra has also led the development of international clinical guidelines for CAR-T cell therapy and amyloidosis, collaborating with organizations including ASH and ASBMT–EBMT.

RESIDENCY
North Shore Medical Center, Partners Healthcare, Salem, MA

FELLOWSHIPS
Baystate Medical center, Tufts University, MA

Dr. D. Alan Kerr is a hematologist-oncologist and physician scientist with Tampa General Hospital, where he previously conducted continuity clinic work with a focus on malignant hematology. He specializes in benign and malignant hematology as well as solid tumor oncology.

Dr. Kerr is a site investigator for numerous active clinical trials and his primary clinical interests include lymphomas and myeloid diseases. Well-versed in translational research and clinical research protocols, Dr. Kerr is credited with several publications, oral presentations and abstracts on a wide range of oncology topics. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and has memberships with the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY

GRADUATE SCHOOL
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

RESIDENCY
Internal Medicine
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

FELLOWSHIPS
Hematology and Medical Oncology
Moffitt Cancer Center/University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Dr. Megan Melody is a hematologist/oncologist at Tampa General Hospital who specializes in lymphoma and cellular therapies. Dr. Melody completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fl where she also served as president of the Mayo Clinic Fellows’ Association and as a member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee. After residency Dr. Melody completed her fellowship in hematology and oncology at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL where she was appointed Chief Fellow during her final year of fellowship.

Dr. Melody’s research focuses on lymphoma (primarily Hodgkin and large B-cell lymphoma) and cellular therapies including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, and bispecific antibodies. She has been credited with several peer-reviewed publications, abstracts, and book chapters in her areas of expertise and has presented her research at the regional, national, and international level.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL

INTERNSHIP
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

RESIDENCY
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL

FELLOWSHIP
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Chicago IL

Dr. Naraev is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with the Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute. He has a strong clinical and research interest in pancreatic malignancies, with a particular focus on neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas. Prior to joining the TGH Cancer Institute, he was the Lead of Neuroendocrine Cancer Program at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. While in Phoenix, he helped create, develop, and lead one of the largest neuroendocrine cancer programs in the Southwestern United States, and was personally taking care of a large population of patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

Later, he served as the Leader of Gastrointestinal, Neuroendocrine, and Rare Cancers Program at the Anderson Family Cancer Institute at Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Florida. In this capacity, he helped build the National Pancreas Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Center of Excellence at Jupiter Medical Center. Dr. Naraev is involved in research related to neuroendocrine tumors and other pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancers, community outreach, and is a member of the Guidelines Committee of the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
Orenburg State Medical Academy, Orenburg, Russia

RESIDENCY
St. Luke’s Hospital, Chesterfield, MO

FELLOWSHIP
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA

Dr. Gustavo Rivero will be located on the West Coast. Dr. Rivero, joins us from Baylor College of Medicine and Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he served as an associate professor in hematology and oncology. A distinguished translational scientist, Dr. Rivero focuses on advancing treatments for myeloid malignancies, including Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), and Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN).

Dr. Rivero’s research is not just about understanding the mechanisms that initiate leukemia, but also about pushing the boundaries of what is possible. His recent discovery of a novel age-related nucleotide modification prevalent in AML is a testament to his commitment to innovation. Dr. Rivero’s team is also investigating how leukemia induces immunogenicity to develop innovative cellular and vaccine-based treatments to prevent and combat these disorders. Dr. Rivero completed his advanced training in hematology and oncology at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland. He will join the Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute as the Director of Translational Research for Hematologic Malignancies.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
Francisco de Miranda University, Coro, Venezuela

INTERNSHIP
J. Stronger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL

RESIDENCY
J. Stronger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL

Dr. Victoria Rizk is a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in the care and treatment of patients with breast cancer. Prior to joining Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute, Dr. Rizk worked as a medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where she provided comprehensive care, support, and education for patients with breast cancer. Additionally, she was as an instructor in medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, where she taught and mentored medical students. Aspiring to become an oncologist from a young age, Dr. Rizk graduated from an accelerated, six-year B.A./M.D. program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. She then completed Internal Medicine Residency at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at the University of South Florida/Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.

Skilled in clinical research, Dr. Rizk is credited with several peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and presentations. She has received numerous honors, including the Merit Award from the Conquer Cancer Foundation and induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society at the UMKC School of Medicine. Dr. Rizk has memberships with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO

RESIDENCY
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL
Internal Medicine

FELLOWSHIP
University of South Florida/Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL
Hematology and Medical Oncology

Dr. Rosenblatt brings over a decade of experience from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC), where she served as Associate Professor, Medical Director, and Quality Director. In these leadership roles, she championed initiatives to improve cancer care delivery and expand access for individual patients and the broader community.

A dedicated clinician-researcher, Dr. Rosenblatt has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and has served as principal investigator on multiple clinical trials. She has been an invited speaker at regional, national, and international conferences and will continue her clinical research at TGH Cancer Institute.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
University of Maryland School of Medicine

RESIDENCY
Internal Medicine: University of Maryland School of Medicine

FELLOWSHIP
University of Maryland Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD

Dr. Nikesh Shah is a hematologist/oncologist at Tampa General Hospital who specializes in hematologic malignancies, particularly lymphomas. Prior to joining Tampa General, Dr. Shah served as a chief fellow for the hematology/oncology fellowship program at Moffitt Cancer Center and the University of South Florida in Tampa. Dr. Shah is dedicated to developing close relationships with his patients and their families, providing them with a full understanding of each disease and determining the best personalized care for each patient. He enjoys conducting clinical research to identify the most cutting-edge treatment options available and has been credited with several peer-reviewed publications, presentations, abstracts, and book chapters in areas of expertise.

Dr. Shah has memberships with the American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, American Association for Cancer Research, Florida Society of Clinical Oncology and the Florida Medical Association.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL

RESIDENCY
Internal Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

FELLOWSHIP
Chief Fellow, Hematology and Medical Oncology
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL

HOSPITAL STAFF PRIVILEGES
Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida

Dr. Sotomayor is the director of the newly established Cancer Institute at Tampa General Hospital. He is a pioneer in the field of cancer immunology and immunotherapy and an internationally renowned expert in lymphoma research and treatment. Prior to joining Tampa General, he was the director of the George Washington University Cancer Center with responsibility and authority over all aspects of cancer care and research at GW and affiliated health systems. He was also a professor of medicine in the division of hematology/oncology at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Dr. Sotomayor has returned to Tampa, where he previously had a highly productive 15-year tenure with Moffitt Cancer Center. He served as the Susan and John Sykes Endowed Chair of Hematologic Malignancies and chair of the department of malignant hematology. In addition, he was the scientific director of the DeBartolo Family Personalized Medicine Institute at Moffitt Cancer Center. He also guided future medical professionals as a professor in the University of South Florida College of Medicine’s departments of oncologic sciences, and pathology and cell biology.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
Federico Villarreal National University School of Medicine, Lima, Peru

RESIDENCY
Jackson Memorial Medical Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL

FELLOWSHIP
Medical Oncology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Cancer Immunology Research
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL

Dr. Suh is a highly accomplished hematology oncologist specializing in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and cellular immunotherapy. He provides advanced care for patients with leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, myelofibrosis, aplastic anemia, lymphoma, myeloma, sickle cell anemia, and germ cell tumors. His clinical interests also include gene therapy for benign hematologic disorders.

Dr. Suh has held prominent leadership roles, including Medical Director of the Stem Cell Processing Labs at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Hackensack University Medical Center. With a deep commitment to patient care and translational research, Dr. Suh continues to contribute meaningfully to the field of stem cell transplantation.

He completed his medical oncology and hematology fellowship at UCLA and pursued postdoctoral research training at the National Cancer Institute-Frederick. He is an active member of several professional societies, including the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
Yonsei University Medical College, Seol, Korea

RESIDENCY
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH

RESEARCH TRAINING
National Cancer Institute-Frederick

FELLOWSHIP
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, LA, California

Dr. David Swoboda is a hematologist oncologist at Tampa General Hospital who specializes in malignant hematology. Prior to joining Tampa General, he was a chief hematology-oncology fellow at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa after serving as a chief resident at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Dr. Swoboda received his medical degree from Florida State University College of Medicine in Tallahassee, where he was the president of the Internal Medicine Interest Group.

Dr. Swoboda enjoys developing a close relationship with his patients and their families, building trust and gaining a full understanding of each disease in order to provide personalized, comprehensive care. His research is directed toward acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and myeloproliferative disorders. He has published several entries in peer-reviewed journals and has participated in numerous scientific abstract presentations. Dr. Swoboda has memberships with the Society for Hematology Oncology, American Society of Hematology and American Society of Clinical Oncology.

MEDICAL SCHOOL
Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL

RESIDENCY
Chief Resident, Internal Medicine
Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C.

FELLOWSHIPS
Chief Fellow, Hematology/Oncology
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL