Zena Chahine, MD, became a doctor because she wanted to help patients during their most vulnerable moments. When you get to provide care to someone who needs it, she said “it’s a special kind of gratitude.”
Dr. Chahine joined the University of Kentucky because here, she feels empowered to help others at the fullest capacity. This fall, Dr. Chahine became part of the UK College of Medicine faculty as an assistant professor within the UK Division of Hematology, Blood and Marrow Transplantation, and Cellular Therapy.
It’s a move she credits to the substantial mentorship and training experiences she received during her fellowship training at UK, as well as the impact she can make for patients in Kentucky.
Dr. Chahine recently completed the UK College of Medicine’s hematology and medical oncology fellowship, a three-year ACGME-accredited program offering specialized training in treating blood cancers. Through the program, Dr. Chahine worked closely with clinicians and scientists at the UK Markey Cancer Center. She also had dedicated research time, which sparked her interest working with clinical trials, “where the change is happening.”
Reema Patel, MD, the fellowship’s director, said UK's program promotes flexibility for research, especially in its third year. The rest of the program encompasses a variety of clinical experiences including transplant, lung, gastrointestinal, and more. There is even a fellows-run clinic where “they’re the doctor. They’re the boss,” and they receive that real-world experience with support from attendings.
During training, Dr. Chahine saw how important Markey Cancer Center was to patients in the Commonwealth.
In 2023, Markey was named Kentucky’s first and only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The designation opens Markey to expanded public funding opportunities from the NCI to study and implement cancer prevention strategies and conduct translational research.
Dr. Chahine understands that when it comes to treating cancer, the reinforcement of a strong community like UK and Markey is important. That is especially true in Kentucky, which possesses high incidence rates for a variety of cancers – and simultaneously faces a lack of health care access.
“You’re treating patients from all over Kentucky, some who are traveling hours to see you,” she said. “That’s a privilege. That patient is trusting us. We are able to give them back this excellent care.”
Holistic cancer treatment encompasses comprehensive care, but it also includes helping patients navigate pain management, quality of life, and how they are cared for at home.
“I'm not just treating one little disease entity. I'm treating a lot of things happening with them at the same time,” Dr. Chahine said. “I've found that you get to know patients a lot more intimately. You’re seeing them very regularly. You're getting to know them, getting to know their families.”
Dr. Chahine’s new role on the faculty will allow her to work on important clinical trials, help train future hematologists, and fulfill her ultimate goal – serving others in times of need.