Rabi Hanna, MD, is chairman of the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplantation division at Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital. He shares how Duke Pediatrics influenced his global perspective and how more clinical research is imperative to helping children with cancer.
Here is a recent Q&A with him:
Do you think being at Duke gave you a global perspective and/or changed your view on global issues?
Duke's pediatric residency did not train me in pediatrics only; it also influenced me to become a better overall physician through community care and advocacy, in addition to the globally diverse team we had among residents and faculty members. This environment broadened my interests and perspective and helped me become a better leader today.
How else do you think your time at Duke shaped your career?
Duke's pediatric residency provided a very balanced approach to education, service, and research. It helped me be the best pediatrician I can, with the opportunity to pursue research in transplant immunology, which served as a catalyst for my clinical research career in hematopoietic cell transplant and cellular therapy. But importantly, it inspired me to make a difference through service, research and education.
What key takeaways do you want alumni to know about your work in Hematology-Oncology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation and beyond?
Our Pediatric Hematology-Oncology & Bone Marrow Transplantation specialty has embraced clinical research through collaboration among all children's hospitals in the USA. Children diagnosed with cancer now can have 85% survival. However, cancer remains the leading cause of death among kids and adolescents younger than 15 years of age, and the majority of survivors have long-term complications that severely impact the quality of life. So, despite funding limitations, our field has to double its efforts to do more clinical research to find new cures for high-risk cancers and blood disorders through precision, immunotherapy and cellular therapies.
What other ways would you like to impact pediatric medicine?
We need to continue to invest in training for the next generation of pediatricians and pediatrics subspecialties who serve as advocates for our nation's children. We should continue to advocate and address individual and community health issues to promote child health and welfare at a population level.
How do you spend your time away from work?
I love watching basketball, especially March Madness (Go Blue Devils)! I also like playing chess with my kids, taking a bike ride, or hiking in nature.