David Hermel, MD

David Hermel, MD, is a hematologist hematologist: (hee-muh-TOL-uh-jist) A doctor who specializes in treating blood diseases and disorders of blood producing organs. and medical oncologist oncologist: (on-KAH-luh-jist) A doctor who specializes in the treatment and prevention of cancer. who specializes in malignant hematology with an interest in the use of novel therapies, such as cellular immunotherapy and bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. transplantation, for the treatment of blood and immune system disorders.

As a member of the Scripps Blood and Marrow Transplant Program, he works with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals to provide hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to his patients.

Dr. Hermel’s clinical practice is focused on the treatment of blood cancers, such as acute and chronic leukemias, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, as well as myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes.

Dr. Hermel is deeply committed to providing his patients with the most comprehensive and up-to-date care possible and partnering with them to facilitate individualized treatment plans. He is passionate about fostering compassionate care and clear communication, so his patients feel informed, supported and empowered. 

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Hermel is an active clinical researcher. He is the recipient of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Postgraduate Research Award and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and abstracts in prestigious medical journals and society meetings.

As a principal investigator, he is leading ongoing clinical trials clinical trials: Clinical research is at the heart of all medical advances, identifying new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. If you have a bone marrow failure disease, you may want to consider taking part in a clinical trial, also called a research study. Understanding Clinical Trials Clinical… evaluating novel therapeutics in relapsed and refractory refractory: Not responsive to treatment or cure. For example, refractory anemia is a low red blood cell count that doesn't respond to standard treatments. acute myeloid leukemia acute myeloid leukemia: (uh-KYOOT my-uh-LOYD loo-KEE-mee-uh) A cancer of the blood cells. It happens when very young white blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow fail to mature. The blast cells stay in the bone marrow and become to numerous. This slows production of red blood cells and platelets. Some cases of MDS become… as well as the use of autologous bone marrow transplant bone marrow transplant: A bone marrow transplant (BMT) is also called a stem cell transplant (SCT) or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT).The procedure replaces unhealthy blood-forming stem cells with healthy ones and offers some patients the possibility of a cure. But for many patients, a BMT is not an option due… as a treatment for autoimmune diseases.

His clinical research clinical research: A type of research that involves individual persons or a group of people. There are three types of clinical research. Patient-oriented research includes clinical trials which test how a drug, medical device, or treatment approach works in people. Epidemiology or behavioral studies look at the… work has highlighted predictors of severity outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with cancer, new immunosuppressive treatment options for aplastic anemia aplastic anemia: (ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most… and the long-term outcomes of patients with hairy cell leukemia. In addition, his columns on a wide range of important oncology-focused topics have appeared in well-respected scientific outlets. 

He serves on the American Society of Hematology Communications Committee and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Committee on Education. Dr. Hermel is also a clinical instructor of medicine at Scripps Clinic, where he is actively involved in teaching and mentoring residents and fellows. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.