A mother

[conjoy]

Can anyone suggest a top hematologist in or near Pittsburgh? My daughter is moving from Florida where she has been seen at Moffit for CLL/SLL to Pittsburgh.

[ANewMe2024]

I think the only one listed on cll society's website is Dr. Kahn on Liberty Ave. If she's up for a drive she can go to Ohio State..The drive isn't too bad and depending on where she lives in Pittsburgh it could be 3 or 3 1/2 hours to OSU. I'm surprised there aren't more listed on the website as Pittsburgh has many hospitals and quite a few universities. She may want to look at West Virginia as well. She's not too far from Morgantown which has a teaching hospital as well as WVU. I hope this helps. Maybe someone from the area can add to this thread.

[conjoy in reply to ANewMe2024]

Thank you so much for your reply.

[HailMary-USA]

Contact Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC.

Many qualified physicians are not formally denoted as CLL specialists, because they treat multiple blood cancers, but look for someone with 15-20 years’ experience who is dually board certified in Hematology and Medical Oncology.

I treat with one such physician at a suburban UPMC Hillman location.

There are several locations in the greater Pittsburgh area

Best wishes from Mary.

[conjoy in reply to HailMary-USA]

Thank you Mary for your quick reply. I will forward this to her

[CLLinPA in reply to HailMary-USA]

I go to a UMPC location in the West Hills (Moon Township) and am very happy with my care. They have a main location in the city and multiple other locations.

[DinosaurDad]

A friend with cll us seeing Dr Sehgal at Hillman and is very happy with her.

[conjoy in reply to DinosaurDad]

Thankyou Dinosaur Dad I have looked her up and find she has very good credentials and reviews.

[DinosaurDad in reply to conjoy]

Per the messages from others...you always have the option to have another doc as "consultant," and do a check in with them periodically or if you're facing a treatment decision. Many people do this so that they have the convenience of someone local but also have a true CLL expert specialist on their team.

[ChristyAnne_UK]

Hi.. I'm in the UK, but have a well-connected friend in Pittsburgh. Have messaged him, and will let you know if he responds with anything useful, although it looks like you are already getting some good referrals.

[conjoy in reply to ChristyAnne_UK]

Thankyou so much for looking into this for me. It’s better to hear first hand regarding physcians

[HopeME]

A strategy for your daughter to consider is to find a specialist at OSU and establish a relationship in the Pittsburg area with a hematologist. She can go to OSU a couple times a year for consultations and major treatment decisions while having routine infusions, blood tests, scans locally. I’d call OSU to discuss the feasibility of such a strategy. Given the size of Pittsburg in combination with its distance from OSU there are likely many others who handle their care in this manner.

Good luck,

Mark

[ErieSailor]

I live about 20 miles from Pgh, and hear that UPMC Hillman has a great reputation. However, I opted to go to Cleveland Clinic that has one of the top CLL specialists in Dr. Brian Hill, and his team. It’s about a 2-1/2 drive though.

[DinosaurDad in reply to ErieSailor]

Second Dr Hill, he's one of the best cll docs, he's very involved with national organizations

[lexie in reply to DinosaurDad]

I see both Dr. Hill and Dr. Byrd. When first diagnosed with a sub par Hem-onc I began to see Dr. Byrd when he was at OSU and he recommended Dr. Hill for my more local dr so am seen by a first rate doctor every 6 months. If Dr. Byrd recommended and arranged my seeing Dr. Hill, I knew he must be top notch and he is.

[DinosaurDad in reply to lexie]

Dr Byrd is a legend in the CLL community, Dr Hill is excellent. You're in great hands.

[Junebug20]

Hillman cancer center in Pittsburgh across from Shadyside Hospital.

[Rico49]

I went to Moffitt and saw Dr Pinilla to insure the diagnosis was correct and he recommended my treatment and when to start. I actually started my treatment in NC last summer with a Caner Center there. I continued my treatment in Florida at Florida Cancer specialists.

I have kept Moffitt in the loop but once you pick the protocol any good cancer center with a hematologist can administer the treatment.

I am returning to NC in a month where I will complete my V+O 1 year plan. I have had excellent results with no side effects with either drug- amazing and fortunate! The idea was if we ran into issues we could go back to Moffitt for councilling. I was lucky, we never had to go back.

My experience was phenomial. In 6 months my blood stabilized.Flow test last month showed normal profile. We plan to test for immunity in July.

So my point is you can keep Moffitt in the loop. They were very helpful and responsive!

[CLLinPA]

My doctor at UMPC Hillman is Rahim Remtulla if she will be on the west side of Pittsburgh

[conniejoy47 in reply to CLLinPA]

I would like to thank everyone who answered and appreciate all your very kind suggestions.It is so very helpful. I relayed all information to her and I know she appreciates it too. She will speak with her Doctor from Moffit and look over everything. She has three children school age and with moving to Pittsburgh I am only to glad to help her in any way I can-thanks to all of you. Wishing you wellness and all the best on your difficult journeys

[CLLinPA in reply to conniejoy47]

One more thing - UPMC Hillman is the only NCI designated cancer center in Western PA

[Lavinia-Blue]

You can go to (cllsociety) cllsociety.org/newly-diagno...