Dr. Azra Raza

Dr. Azra Raza, MD, is a distinguished hematologist-oncologist and Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she has led the Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Center since 1990. She earned her medical degree from the Aga Khan University in Pakistan before completing her hematology and oncology fellowship at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Raza also holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Harvard University. She provides comprehensive care for patients with MDS, leukemia, and other myeloid malignancies, offering both in-person and telehealth consultations. As one of the foremost figures in her field, she has treated thousands and developed specialized protocols to improve patient outcomes with compassionate precision.

She is internationally recognized for her pioneering research in early detection and transformative treatment of MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Dr. Raza has authored more than 450 peer-reviewed publications and multiple books, drawing attention to the need for cancer to be caught and cured before the late stages. Her laboratory is dedicated to understanding the molecular progression from benign blood disorders to full-blown leukemia. She leads clinical trials of novel agents and investigational approaches designed to eradicate malignant stem cells—an effort aiming to change the natural history of MDS. Her work has influenced global research priorities, emphasized early intervention, and shifted the narrative from cancer management to cancer prevention.

In addition to her clinical and laboratory roles, Dr. Raza is a passionate advocate, educator, and national leader in hematologic oncology. She serves on the leadership team of the National Foundation for Cancer Research and routinely advises governmental and scientific bodies on cancer detection strategies. She is widely respected for her ability to merge patient care with activism, using her clinical voice and literary platform to bring urgency to the need for early diagnosis. Through her decades-long commitment to patient advocacy, scientific rigor, and mentorship, Dr. Raza is recognized as one of the most influential voices in modern oncology, driving change toward early detection and definitive cure.