City of Hope® Cancer Center Chicago is home to an expert team of medical oncologists who are committed to providing compassionate, personalized cancer care for patients across Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and the surrounding areas.
Our world-class physicians are experts in all types of cancer with a wide range of innovative treatment options. Patients at City of Hope Chicago benefit from our expertise in:
- Diagnosing cancer and identifying precancerous conditions
- Developing comprehensive cancer treatment plans
- Recommending treatment regimens that may include minimally invasive surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapies
- Evaluating options for cellular and stem cell therapies through our Chicago Cell Therapy Program
- Determining whether patients qualify for any current clinical trials, depending on their specific cancer type and stage
Personalized Care from Chicago Cancer Doctors
At City of Hope, we believe in the power of personalized cancer care. Our medical oncologists treat every patient as an individual with a unique medical history, set of health goals and diagnosis. If you choose to receive treatment with us, your oncologist will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of cancer experts, which may include surgeons, nurses and supportive care providers who will guide your cancer treatment journey and ensure you play an active role in your care.
What Sets Our Chicago Medical Oncologists Apart?
The medical oncology team at City of Hope Chicago is dedicated to developing innovative, personalized treatment plans for all our patients, whether they have just received a cancer diagnosis at City of Hope or are seeking a second opinion. A medical oncologist is often the first specialist to meet with new patients and their loved ones. Each member of our team brings their medical expertise and their compassion to your first appointment, along with a commitment to moving from diagnosis to treatment as smoothly and quickly as possible.
City of Hope Chicago is home to experts in a wide range of cancer types, including:
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancers
- Prostate cancer
- Gynecologic cancers
- Blood cancers
- Genitourinary cancers
- Head and neck cancers
- Peritoneal surface malignancies
- Leukemias and lymphomas
After your initial appointment, your medical oncologist will work with a multidisciplinary team of board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. This is often complete within seven days, thanks to initiatives like our Chicago Rapid Lung Nodule Diagnosis Program. Once treatment begins, patients benefit from the expertise of our medical oncology team, which includes:
- Experts who are at the forefront of cancer research
- Leading clinical trials to develop new oncology treatments and techniques
- Pioneers in the field of precision medicine, which uses technology like genomic testing to better understand the patient’s cancer on a cellular and genetic level
- Experts in innovative treatment techniques such as hepatic artery infusion (HAI) therapy for colorectal cancer
- Physicians experienced in the use of cellular therapies, as well as autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantations
Our Chicago medical oncologists work closely with each patient to ensure his or her treatment plan is personalized and optimized. As a City of Hope patient, you will have access to:
- Your entire cancer care team, all under one roof
- Our Chicago supportive care team, who can help manage the physical and emotional side effects of cancer and its treatments
- Diagnostic tests to help guide your treatment and make necessary changes
Our Certifications and Recognition
Our hospital team is recognized for high-quality patient care, and has received high ratings in patient satisfaction, including:
- ASCO QOPI Certification: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has certified City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago as a Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) center. QOPI Certification is granted for high-quality outpatient hematology-oncology care.
- Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence and Pinnacle of Excellence Awards: This award is reserved for the top 5% of high-performing hospitals.
- Patient satisfaction: Over the past five years, 97% of patients have graded City of Hope Chicago with a 5 out of 5 score on “likelihood of recommending their oncology team” to others. In addition, 96% of patients said they had confidence in their oncologist.*
Our Chicago Medical Oncologists
The medical oncology team at City of Hope Chicago includes experts in multiple cancer types. Collaborating across the City of Hope national network, they are able to bring leading-edge treatment options to more patients, ensuring you receive the most effective care possible.
Meet our medical oncologists.
As chief clinical officer at City of Hope Chicago, Dr. Stadler ensures operational excellence in physician recruitment and clinical care, while focusing on expanding access to innovative cancer treatments. He holds over 30 years of experience in academic medicine in the Chicagoland area.
As president of the medical staff at City of Hope Chicago, Dr. Khan provides leadership to our Illinois medical staff, guides protocols, ensures standard-of-care guidelines are consistently met and exceeded, and helps recruit high-quality physicians.
Dr. Bitran brings more than 50 years of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of blood cancers, with a strong focus on lymphomas.
Dr. Dunavin works closely with patients diagnosed with hematologic malignancies, primarily leukemias, as well as blood disorders.
Dr. Farrington specializes in the treatment of multiple cancers, including breast and lung cancer, and is involved in clinical trial research to help advance cancer care.
Dr. Kaplan has more than three decades of experience providing care for all types of cancer-related disorders, including those of the breast, kidney, bladder and others, and has a special interest in gastrointestinal malignancies.
Dr. Kleinman has over 25 years of experience in treating both solid tumors and blood cancers. Additionally, he treats noncancerous blood conditions, such as iron deficiency.
Dr. Neelam specializes in the treatment of all types of cancer, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer and hematological diseases. She is committed to providing her patients with personalized and compassionate care.
Dr. Pisick treats a wide range of cancer types, including lung and prostate cancers. He has conducted extensive research on lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
Dr. Poosarla is the director of medical oncology for the breast program, specializing in treating breast cancer with leading-edge therapies.
Dr. Rodriguez has over 20 years of experience treating blood cancer and is an expert in bone marrow transplantation. He has performed over 2,500 transplant procedures.
Dr. Zhang is a medical oncologist specializing in genitourinary cancers, including kidney, bladder, prostate and testicular cancers.
Make an Appointment With Our Chicago Cancer Care Team
Have you or a loved one recently been diagnosed with cancer? To make an appointment with our cancer specialists, call us at (877) 524-4673.
Where We Are Located
* Source: Press Ganey patient surveys – City of Hope Chicago; data sourced April 2025