Firas El Chaer, MD

Firas El Chaer, M.D., MSHCM, is a board-certified hematologist-oncologist and the chief of Leukemia and medical director of Infusion Services at Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute. He specializes in the treatment of leukemia, with a primary focus on acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia. His expertise also extends to myeloproliferative neoplasms (primary myelofibrosis, essential thrombocytosis and polycythemia vera), clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential as well as bone marrow failure disorders, including myelodysplastic syndromes and aplastic anemia.

Dr. El Chaer utilizes personalized, targeted therapies to enhance treatment effectiveness and improve patient responses. Additionally, he has a keen interest in measurable residual disease detection and monitoring, which can improve patients’ long-term outcomes and survival rates by catching early signs of relapse so treatments and adjusting treatments accordingly.

Prior to joining Baptist Health, Dr. El Chaer was an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He also served as medical director of the Cancer Service Line – Infusion Centers and medical director of the Chronic and Acute Leukemia Research Team at the University of Virginia Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. El Chaer earned his medical degree at the University of Balamand in Beirut, Lebanon. He served as chief resident during an internal medicine residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Englewood, N.J. He then completed a fellowship in infectious diseases for immune-compromised cancer patients at the combined program of Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He also completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology with a focus on blood disorders and a built-in fellowship in stem cell transplantation at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he served as chief fellow. He is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, infectious diseases, hematology and medical oncology.

In addition to his patient care responsibilities, Dr. El Chaer is a clinical investigator and principal investigator for numerous pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical trials and investigator-initiated trials. He has been recognized with multiple awards across different areas of professional practice, including his clinical skills, research contributions and teaching abilities. One such award is the prestigious Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award, which honors mentors who demonstrate care and compassion in the teaching and advising of medical students.

Dr. El Chaer is an active member of numerous professional organizations. He also contributes to the scientific community by presenting his research findings at national and international symposiums, editing and reviewing papers for medical publications and publishing his research in peer-reviewed journals, with more than 50 articles appearing in prominent journals such as Blood and JAMA Oncology.

Dr. El Chaer’s approach to patient care is deeply rooted in his personal experience, having witnessed the profound impact of non-Hodgkin lymphoma on his father and family. He prioritizes clear, compassionate communication and strives to connect with his patients and their families on a personal level, not only addressing medical needs but also serving as a supportive guide through each step of the cancer journey. His goal is to provide care that is as personal as it is professional, creating a support system that goes beyond traditional treatment.

Dr. El Chaer is fluent in English, French and Arabic. In his free time, he enjoys backpacking and road cycling and pushing his limits with CrossFit. He finds relaxation in listening to audiobooks and podcasts and seeks adventure by traveling to new countries and immersing himself in diverse cultures, exploring rich histories and discovering unique cuisines. This blend of physical and intellectual pursuits helps Dr. El Chaer recharge and stay inspired.