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


James Essell, MD

James 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.  


Kruti Patel, DO

Kruti 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.

Ameet Patel, MD, MMHC

Ameet Patel, MD, MMHC, is a medical oncologist and hematologist, bone marrow transplant expert, and cellular therapy specialist at OHC.  Dr. Patel has a special interest in CAR T-cell therapy and bone marrow transplantation and is an OHC Principal Investigator for lymphomas, hematologic malignancies, and cellular therapies. He is published in numerous international peer-reviewed journals and has presented at several national meetings. 

Dr. Patel received his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine.  He completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Maryland Medical Center, followed by a hematology and oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.  He also has a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University Owen’s School of Business in healthcare administration with a focus on improving access and alleviating financial toxicity for CAR-T for practices and patients. He has personally worked as a chief clinical fellow to improve financial decision analysis and improve healthcare delivery for patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy at the beloved institution he trained.

Dr. Patel believes in OHC’s mission and recognizes the importance of placing patients first for accessibility to cutting-edge treatment. “Dealing with blood cancer and blood disorders can be tough on patients. My personal mission is to provide the same level of compassion and expert-level care for my patients as if they were my own family.”

Dr. Patel also believes that cancer care is personalized and requires a team effort to meet the needs of his patients and caregivers in their journey.