HealthTree Connect to Cures in San Jose, CA – Connect With Other Patients (In-Person Event)

Surbhi Sidana, MD

Dr. Sidana is a hematologist/oncologist trained in advanced hematology with an emphasis on myeloma, amyloidosis, and dysproteinemia disorders. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy, at Stanford University School of Medicine. She leads the Myeloma Cellular Immunotherapy program at Stanford. Her areas of expertise include transplantation and novel cellular immunotherapies such as CAR-T-cell therapy for patients with multiple myeloma. For each patient, Dr. Sidana develops a personalized care plan designed to optimize outcomes and quality of life. Dr. Sidana conducts extensive research. Currently, she is conducting clinical trials of CAR-T therapy and bispecific T-cell engagers for treatment of patients with myeloma. She is studying patients’ access to CAR-T cell therapy, the financial burden of the treatment, and its impact on patients’ quality of life and cognitive function. Dr Sidana has received a grant from the Stanford Medicine Cancer Institute and NIH funding through the Stanford KL2 program to study adverse events of CAR-T therapy on patients and monitoring of patients undergoing CAR-T therapy using wearable devices.

Faisal Cheema, MD

Dr. Faisal Cheema is a hematologist-oncologist at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara. He leads the Malignant Hematology Subspecialty Group and the Malignant Hematology Clinical Trials Program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, specializing in multiple myeloma, lymphoma, and leukemia. His focus is on improving patient outcomes through access to advanced therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies. Dr. Cheema collaborates closely with academic centers to bridge cutting-edge research with community-based cancer care, ensuring patients have timely access to innovative treatments and clinical trials.