As a fellow native of Cincinnati, I love this city, you love this city – but what draws those who live outside of the area to the Queen City? For internationally known researcher and clinical specialist, John C. Byrd, MD, it’s a mixture of reasons.
As a world-renowned cancer physician and researcher, John C. Byrd, MD, has seen patients from across Ohio and the U.S. over the past 20 years. But he says those from Cincinnati were always memorable due to their passion for their hometown, especially its arts, culture and sports teams. Now, Dr. Byrd is looking forward to experiencing all the Queen City has to offer firsthand. He has joined the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine as the Gordon and Helen Taylor Professor of Medicine, chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, and chief of Internal Medicine Services at UC Health.
Why UC Health? With over 600 publications in the area of leukemia and experimental drug development research, Dr. Byrd’s passion for discovery and patient care led him to Greater Cincinnati’s only adult academic health system. He sees an opportunity to build upon the outstanding patient care, clinical and scientific research, and medical education at UC and UC Health, as well as strengthen partnerships with researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
“UC Health is a newer health system, just a little over 10 years old. We have an opportunity to continue building something for both now and the future,” Dr. Byrd said.
As chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Byrd joins a team of 346 faculty members, which includes 252 physicians in nine divisions. Within this past fiscal year, the Department of Internal Medicine received funding for more than $16,000,000 in grant research and almost $3,200,000 in clinical trials, all while spearheading more than 40 research initiatives. The department’s total budget was over $137,000,000. At UC Health, Dr. Byrd will continue to maintain and develop leading-edge clinical programs within the department, while enhancing quality care, patient safety, patient outcomes and patient experience.
Dr. Byrd’s impressive background doesn’t stop at the medical field. As a former military service member who trained at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, giving back to veterans is an important priority for Dr. Byrd – so much so that he already has applied for privileges at the Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center to help veterans receive the exceptional care they deserve.
The Queen City is excited to welcome Dr. Byrd to our community. You may run into Dr. Byrd, his wife, Laura, and their newly adopted dog, Spot, at Eden Park – as it’s just a short drive from their historic 1800s-era home in Hyde Park.
About Dr. Byrd
Dr. Byrd was previously at The Ohio State University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute where he served as senior advisor for cancer experimental therapeutics. He was a distinguished university professor of medicine and medicinal chemistry and served as the D. Warren Brown Chair in leukemia research.
Dr. Byrd will continue in his role as national chief medical officer for the Beat AML® Master Trial. Launched in 2016 by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the study is the nation’s first collaborative precision medicine clinical trial for a blood cancer. Dr. Byrd’s arrival will ultimately add the University of Cincinnati to the select list of cancer centers offering this trial to acute leukemia patients.
Dr. Byrd received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. His education continued in hematology and oncology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University before he moved to Columbus to join the faculty at The Ohio State University.
Dr. Byrd has over 600 peer-reviewed publications in the area of leukemia and experimental therapeutics research. He runs a highly translational laboratory focused on drug development in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and related lymphoproliferative disorders. He has been part of the successful development of multiple therapeutics in acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Despite his passion for clinical and translational research, Dr. Byrd’s favorite day of the week is Tuesday, when he spends eight to 12 hours in clinic providing care to patients. He receives continuous support from Laura and his two adult sons. He is also a passionate college football fan, and in his spare time, he enjoys freshwater fishing.
For more information about the region’s only adult academic health system, visit uchealth.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Byrd, call, 513-584-4268.