Vijaya Raj Bhatt, MBBS, MS
Professor, UNMC Division of Hematology
Medical Director, Leukemia Program
Co-Leader, Cancer Prevention and Control Program
Dr. Bhatt is a professor in the UNMC Division of Hematology and medical director of the Leukemia Program. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology. He has also completed a Master of Science in clinical and translational research. He manages patients with acute leukemia, myeloid malignancies and other hematologic disorders, and those who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant. He finds great joy in interacting with his patients and working in a multidisciplinary team to support patients through the course of their treatment.
He serves as a vice chair of the Cancer in the Older Adults Committee for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. He is also a member of the Alliance’s Leukemia Committee and the National Cancer Clinical Network Acute Myeloid Leukemia Guidelines Panel. He previously completed his term as a chair of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Steering Committee and currently serves as its member.
Dr. Bhatt has authored or co-authored more than 260 articles and he has presented widely at several national meetings of professional societies. He has led multi-center studies including a NIH/NCI R37-funded study in acute myeloid leukemia. He has received several awards during his residency and fellowship for excellence in patient care, education and research. He has received the Internal Medicine Clinical Research Award (2019), a Distinguished Scientist Award (2020) and a Research Leadership Award (2025) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Information
- Medical School: Tribhuvan University, 2008
- Residency: Internal Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, 2012
- Fellowship: Hematology/Oncology, UNMC College of Medicine, 2015
Hospital Appointments: Nebraska Medicine
Clinic Locations: Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center - Nebraska Medical Center
Dr. Bhatt's interdisciplinary research aims to improve the survival and quality of life of patients with leukemia or those who have undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation. He serves as a principal investigator on several investigator-initiated, cooperative group and industry-sponsored clinical trials. Current research studies are targeted toward understanding the functional trajectories through the course of leukemia treatment, and improving quality of life and survival of adults with acute leukemias.
Highlighted publications:
- Rashes, bruises and fatigue: Could it be leukemia?
- A story of hope, faith and perseverance
- Bucking the trend: A turning point for leukemia patients
- Big 10 Cancer Research Consortium
- UNMC part of multi-center drug trial on relapsed acute myeloid leukemia
- Geriatric oncology and multidisciplinary care approach for older adults with cancer
Dr. Bhatt is a research mentor. His career interests include acute leukemia and transplant, clinical trials. His personal interests include spending time with family, exercising and weight lifting.