For the third consecutive year, Salman Fazal, MD, has been recognized as a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, an honor bestowed on only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians. Dr. Fazal, a hematologist and stem cell transplant and cellular therapy expert at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has earned this distinction through his dedication to advanced cancer care and innovative treatments.
Dr. Fazal's expertise lies in treating complex hematologic malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and lymphomas. His approach integrates cutting-edge therapies like bispecific antibodies and targeted treatments, which are particularly vital for patients with high-risk or relapsed disease. As the leader of the bispecific therapy program in Central Pennsylvania, he has expanded access to these promising options.
His leadership extends beyond patient care. For nearly a decade, Dr. Fazal served as Director of the Cell Transplantation Program at Allegheny Health Network, where he oversaw clinical and operational aspects of allogeneic transplant and cellular therapy programs, including CAR-T therapies. Under his guidance, the program achieved successful FACT accreditation inspections for nine years and improved survival rates to meet expected benchmarks. He has personally performed nearly 200 allogeneic transplants and established a dedicated long-term follow-up clinic for transplant patients, facilitating access to clinical trials for graft-versus-host disease.
Dr. Fazal's commitment to education is equally notable. He was named Teaching Faculty of the Year by the Hematology Oncology Fellowship at Allegheny Health Network, and his research has been published in prestigious journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Blood, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. His work as a principal investigator on numerous clinical trials contributes to the advancement of treatment options.
Castle Connolly Top Doctors are selected through a rigorous process involving peer nominations and a physician-led research team that evaluates nominees based on medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. This recognition underscores Dr. Fazal's standing among his peers and his impact on patient care in the region.
To enhance accessibility, Dr. Fazal's practice offers both in-person and telemedicine consultations, ensuring that patients can receive expert care regardless of their circumstances. His philosophy, shaped by years of training and practice, emphasizes that compassion is as critical as expertise in delivering effective care.
