Pooja Phull, MD

Pooja Phull, MD, is a hematologist/oncologist at John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center who specializes in the care of people with a group of blood disorders called plasma cell dyscrasias. These diseases include multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. She is also involved in clinical trials assessing new treatment approaches for these disorders and evaluating patient outcomes. Dr. Phull entered the field of medicine because she thrives on personal connections and developing long-term relationships with her patients and their families. This is becoming increasingly possible thanks to more effective cancer treatments that are enabling patients to live longer, healthier lives.

She was drawn to the field of cancer care because of its complexity and the opportunity to solve challenging clinical problems. Dr. Phull believes that to be a good oncologist, one needs to understand how the various organ systems of the body interact with each other and how cancer affects this interaction. When she meets a new patient and his or her family, she gets to know not only their medical history, but also their personal goals, values, and family dynamics. This knowledge enables her and her colleagues to tailor the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Dr. Phull is most gratified by the opportunity to become part of her patients’ stories, and she regards it as an honor for her to care for them. Dr. Phull has a strong interest in reducing healthcare disparities. Before medical school, she spent time in India, evaluating hospital quality metrics and meeting with members of underserved communities to understand their healthcare needs. This experience fortified her commitment to truly understanding her patients’ backgrounds and individual needs, with a goal of helping to reduce healthcare disparities and promoting equal access to the highest-quality medical services. She is a member of national organizations such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Hematology.