Division of Infectious Diseases

The Division of Infectious Diseases' mission is to provide high-quality consultative services to prevent, diagnose and manage infectious complications in patients (adult and pediatric) undergoing cancer treatment. We provide specialized expertise to treat complex infectious complications in our patients undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation, CAR T cellular therapies and complex oncologic surgeries. Our service provides access to up-to-date treatment options and experimental therapies for infectious complications (bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic) that may not have the standard therapeutic intervention available. This is complemented by high-quality infection control and the availability of therapeutic clinical trials. Our clinical team is instrumental in developing clinical pathways/standard operating procedures for managing infections in various treatment settings, such as sepsis management in our evaluation and treatment center and the hospital. We provide vital services to the institution, such as infection control and antimicrobial stewardship expertise to meet and exceed the stringent regulatory requirements.

As a part of a multidisciplinary team including hematologists and pharmacists, our Infectious Diseases faculty develops and updates clinical pathways for the hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) program as mandated by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapies. The division maintains a robust clinical research program and participates in translational research. Our education programs include the training of rotating Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited infectious disease fellows from the Naval Medical Center, training for hematology and HCT nurse practitioners, and a program enabling students to shadow research or clinical personnel.

Our Infectious Diseases Team
Sanjeet Dadwal, M.D.
Sanjeet Singh Dadwal, M.D.
Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases; Physician
Duarte - Main Campus

Sanjeet Singh Dadwal, M.D., is chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, and professor in the Department of Medicine, with a clinical focus on infectious diseases.

Jana Dickter
Duarte - Main Campus

Jana Dickter, M.D., is an associate clinical professor in the department of medical specialists, division of infectious disease.

Caroline Ho, D.O.
Duarte - Main Campus
Avneet Kaur, M.D.
Duarte - Main Campus

Avneet Kaur, M.D., is an assistant clinical professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at City of Hope in Duarte, California.
 

Deepa Nanayakkara, M.D.
Duarte - Main Campus

Deepa Dharshani Nanayakkara, M.D., M.S., is an assistant clinical professor of the Division of Infectious Diseases at City of Hope.

Randy Taplitz
Randy A. Taplitz, M.D.
Chair, Department of Medicine
Duarte - Main Campus

Randy Taplitz, M.D., leads both investigator initiated and industry sponsored clinical trials, and has authored numerous high-impact publications within the field.