About Us Hematology and Cellular Therapy

Highly integrated approach to medicine

The hematology and cellular therapy team provides outstanding, state-of-the-art care for patients with all types of blood disorders and hematologic cancers. Our experts perform both autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants, CAR-T cell procedures, and administer all the newest immunotherapies. Because every facet of UK HealthCare is dedicated to being at the leading edge of medicine and driving innovation, our faculty physicians are not only compassionate and highly skilled doctors but also nationally recognized clinical research experts. Because of that unique expertise, patients seen in our clinic have access to life-saving, investigational therapies available only at UK Markey Cancer Center.

Our attending physicians are trained in medical hematology and oncology, and each brings specific expertise in leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or complex non-malignant blood disorders. Because UK HealthCare takes a cooperative, highly integrated approach to medicine, patients in our program also have access to experts in every medical and surgical subspecialty.

Our nurses have an average of 12 years of experience in hematology, cellular therapy, and immunotherapy and are certified in chemotherapy, biotherapy, and oncology nursing. Our team includes clinical pharmacists that are experts in all the newest therapies in hematology and work seamlessly with our providers to deliver the best care to our patients.

Full Support Team

The hematology and cellular therapy team also includes dietitians, social workers, financial counsellors, and mental health support for both inpatient and outpatient consultations. Care coordinators and disease-team leaders coordinate inpatient and outpatient care.

Two hands in blue rubber gloves hold vials of blood. Other vials are in a stand on the table behind them.

Our Mission

To advance hematology and cellular therapy to the benefit of all Kentuckians through world class care, research, education, and innovative health care delivery solutions

Our Vision

A national leader and a first-choice partner in hematology and cellular therapy, for patients, faculty, trainees, and industry partners, locally and nationally

HISTORY OF THE DIVISION

Our tradition of excellence, leadership, and innovation in hematology goes back more than five decades.

2025
Dr. Pierluigi Porcu joins UK as division chief and associate director of clinical translation at Markey. Division’s name is changed to hematology and cellular therapy. Research infrastructure strengthened, scope of therapeutic portfolio expanded, and disease-focused teams established.
2023
Markey gains comprehensive status, the highest NCI rating for a cancer center and the gold standard of excellence in all areas of cancer: prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship
2018
First program in the state to be certified for the administration of CAR-T cells. Lead institution in Kentucky for advanced cancer immunotherapies, largest number of allogeneic SCT and CAR-T procedures in the state
2013
NCI designation for Markey Cancer Center, under leadership of center director Dr. Mark Evers
2011
Hematology becomes a separate division of the department of medicine, gains prominence under distinguished leaders
1982

First hematopoietic stem cell transplant (SCT) at UK performed

1972
Hematology/oncology fellowship program at the University of Kentucky established (ACGME-accredited since 1996)