I am a hematologist and oncologist at Moffitt Malignant Hematology and Cellular Therapy at Memorial Healthcare System. I care for patients with all hematological malignancies with a special emphasis on indolent and aggressive lymphoid tumors. This includes non-Hodgkin lymphomas, Hodgkin lymphomas, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and providing autologous cell transplant and CAR-T cell therapy.

I was inspired to pursue a medical career first and foremost by my grandfather, who was one of the first pediatricians in my hometown in Colombia. I have continued to be encouraged and influenced by many other mentors throughout my career, including professors and leaders at Moffitt. My passion for medicine has always been internal medicine, but I became mesmerized by hematology/oncology. I enjoy tackling the daily diagnostic and therapeutic challenges we encounter and the fact that cancer care is a perfect fusion between cutting-edge science and translating that into everyday clinical care that can impact patients' lives.

When working with patients, I always follow evidence-based medicine principles, combining the most updated relevant scientific evidence, the best possible clinical judgment, and, above all, always considering the patient's values and principles. Compassion and cautious optimism are also critical to being a well-rounded oncologist.

In addition to providing patient-focused care, I am also very interested in designing and conducting early-phase clinical trials, medical education and addressing health disparities in malignant hematology. I am the site principal investigator for several trials in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia involving novel immunotherapies. I also oversee the trials in patients with primary central nervous system lymphomas and HIV-associated B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas.

While medicine is my passion, my family is my greatest accomplishment. My wife also works at Memorial Healthcare System and I am the proud father of two sons. Time with my family means everything, and it is an honor and privilege to help my patients so they can make memories with their loved ones as well.

• Memorial Hospital West
• Memorial Regional Hospital