Our team approach helps to ensure the most comprehensive, quality care for patients. In weekly multidisciplinary meetings and daily grand rounds, we carefully plan each patient’s treatment and how to best meet his or her particular needs.
Our nursing staff consists of more than 60 registered nurses, many of whom are oncology-certified and specifically trained in critical care. Nurse clinicians, certified nurse practitioners, research nurses, transplant coordinators, pharmacists, social workers, clinical psychologists, physical therapists, patient care assistants, dietitians and chaplains are all part of our experienced team and are dedicated to each and every patient’s success.
Our Physicians
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James Essell, MDJames H. Essell, MD, is a hematologist, oncologist, blood and marrow transplant expert, and cellular therapy specialist at OHC. Dr. Essell specializes in malignant hematology, sarcoma, cellular therapy, and cancer research. He is actively involved in clinical trials and research, always in search of new and innovative treatments. Dr. Essell received his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency and a hematology and oncology fellowship at Wilford Hall United States Air Force Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He completed a post-fellowship at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Essell is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a member of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network, American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society of Hematology. Dr. Essell serves as a principal investigator for hematologic malignant clinical trials and is the national principal investigator for The US Oncology Network for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR T-cell) clinical trials. He serves as Chair, Cellular Therapy for The US Oncology Network and is the Medical Director of the Cincinnati Center for Cellular Therapy at The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Essell served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, and as an Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD. He has participated in more than 100 research studies and contributed to the publication of more than 30 publications in peer-reviewed journals. After many dedicated years of providing exceptional patient care, Dr. Essell transitioned to an administrative role within OHC. While Dr. Essell no longer sees patients, he continues contributing his extensive expertise and leadership to enhance our hematologic and cellular therapy services. |
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Kruti Patel, DOKruti Patel, DO, is a medical oncologist, hematologist, blood and marrow transplant expert, and cellular therapy specialist at OHC. Dr. Patel specializes in malignant hematology, clinical research, and blood and marrow transplantation and serves as an OHC Principal investigator for multiple myeloma, hematologic malignancies, and cellular therapies. She aspires to contribute to innovation in the field of oncology through involvement in clinical trials and drug development. Dr. Patel received her medical degree from Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed an internal medicine residency and a hematology and oncology fellowship at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Patel is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology by the American Board of Internal Medicine. She serves as Associate Director of the Cincinnati Center for Cellular Therapy at The Jewish Hospital-Mercy Health. Dr. Patel is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), and the American College of Physicians (ACP). Dr. Patel was honored as Chief Fellow for the 2020-2021 academic year and has contributed to several clinical research presentations and publications. Dr. Patel finds her work rewarding because she is inspired by the strength patients have as they fight their disease. She strives to provide them with comprehensive care by developing a relationship with them and offering compassionate support throughout their journey. |
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Akash Mukherjee, MD Akash Mukherjee, MD, is a board-certified hematologist, medical oncologist, blood and marrow transplant specialist, and cellular therapy expert at OHC. Dr. Mukherjee is an established researcher with a strong interest in CAR-T cellular therapy, lymphoma, and leukemia trials. He is published in numerous national peer-reviewed journals. His areas of interest include CAR T-cell therapy, myelodysplastic syndrome, leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia, and clinical research. Dr. Mukherjee is a member of OHC’s blood and marrow transplant program, directing care at The Jewish Hospital – Mercy Health Cincinnati Cancer and Cellular Therapy Center (CCCTC) Dr. Mukherjee received his medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College. He completed an internal medicine residency at Georgetown University, Washington Hospital Center, as well as a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology from Houston Methodist Hospital. He completed a post-fellowship in Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Treating his patients with an honest and compassionate approach, Dr. Mukherjee believes in giving his best to every patient he sees, no matter the complexity. Dr. Mukherjee views his profession as his life’s calling and purpose to take care of patients. With his prior appointment as a faculty member for five years at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Dr. Mukherjee brings extensive experience in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, CAR-T cell therapy, and stem cell transplantation. His expertise in cellular therapy provides patients with an advanced approach to cancer care, utilizing new therapies through OHC’s cancer research and clinical trials program |