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Kah Poh Loh, B.Med.Sci., M.B.B.Ch., B.A.O., M.S.

Contact Information

Phone Numbers

Appointment: (585) 275-5823

Administrative: (585) 275-9319

Fax: (585) 273-1042

Social Links

@MelissaLoh21

URMFGA member of the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group

groupAn Accountable Health Partner

assignmentAccepting New Patients

Faculty Appointments

Patient Care Setting

Cancer

Biography

I specialize in taking care of older adults with cancer, specifically those with blood cancer. I am fortunate to be part of the biggest geriatric oncology program in the United States, leading the geriatric hematology effort. Our team is passionate about improving care for older adults with cancer. I am also actively involved in research focused on improving the care of this population.

Conditions I Treat:

- Acute leukemia, myeloid type
- Chronic myeloid leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Myeloproliferative disorders including polycythemia vera, myelofibrosis, and essential thrombocythemia
- Cancer in older adults

Professional Background

I am a board-certified internist, hematologist, oncologist, and geriatrician. I completed my internship and residency at Baystate Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine. In June 2019, I completed fellowships in hematology, oncology, and geriatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center/James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. I specialize in caring for adults with hematologic malignancies, many of whom are older. I lead all geriatric hematology clinical efforts at Wilmot, including building a de novo geriatric hematology consultative clinic, inspiring and helping to organize geriatric hematology clinical trials, and training local and international mentees.

Research

My research focuses on developing and implementing behavioral and supportive care interventions, utilizing digital health technologies, to improve outcomes for adults with hematologic malignancies. I am also interested in elucidating the mechanisms by which behavioral and supportive care interventions improve outcomes. My other research interests include: 1) shared decision-making in acute myeloid leukemia; 2) end of life care in patients with hematologic malignancies; and 3) prognostic understanding of older patients and their caregivers. I am supported by a National Cancer Institute (NCI) K99/R00, Conquer Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Career Development Award, and the Wilmot Cancer Institute Research Fellowship Award. I have published over 130 peer-reviewed articles and presented over 100 oral and poster presentations. I have also received >30 research and travel awards.

My work has been published in multiple journals including the Cancer, Journal of National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Oncologist, Journal of Geriatric Oncology, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, Supportive Care in Cancer, Blood Advances, Leukemia and Lymphoma, Journal of Medical Internet Research Cancer, and Cancers (MDPI).

Credentials

Specialties

    Education

    2012
    MBBCH | Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons-Ireland (Ireland)

    Post-doctoral Training & Residency

    07/01/2018 - 06/30/2019
    Fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at University of Rochester Medical Center

    07/01/2015 - 06/30/2018
    Fellowship in Hematology & Oncology at University of Rochester Medical Center

    07/01/2013 - 06/30/2015
    Residency in Internal Medicine at Baystate Medical Center

    07/01/2012 - 06/30/2013
    Internship in Internal Medicine at Baystate Medical Center

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    Awards

    2022 - 2025
    Conquer Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology Career Development Award

    2022 - 2024
    University of Rochester Quality Institute Dissemination and Implementation Grant

    2022 - 2023
    Cancer Prevention and Control Pilot Fund, Wilmot Cancer Institute

    2022 - 2023
    W.G. Stuber Fellowship, University of Rochester

    2022
    NIH Mobile Health Training Institute Scholar

    2022
    RCCN Travel Award to the Workshop "Measuring Biologic Age"

    2022
    Wilmot Community Outreach and Engagement Innovator Award
    Sponsor: Wilmot

    2022
    Palliative Care Research Cooperative (PCRC) Group Clinical Trials Intensives Scholar

    2022
    NCI Skills Development Consortium – Utah Advanced Course on Mentoring, Leadership, and Research on Cancer-Related Health

    2021 - Present
    Board Member, International Society of Geriatric Oncology

    2021 - Present
    Landscape Committee, Cancer Care Delivery Research, NCORP

    2021 - Present
    Chair and Member, Association of Community Cancer Centers Education Committee

    2021 - Present
    Member, American Geriatrics Society Research Committee

    2021 - Present
    Task Force Member, Cancer and Aging Research Group Buddy Program

    2021 - Present
    Member, American Geriatrics Society NIA Subcommittee

    2021 - Present
    Member, American Geriatrics Society Research Methods Subcommittee

    2021 - 2022
    Wilmot and UR Aging Institute Collaborative Pilot Grant

    2021 - 2022
    ACR Appropriateness Criteria Topic, Leukemia, Panel Member

    2021 - 2022
    Chair, American Geriatrics Society Cancer and Aging Special Interest Group

    2021 - 2021
    Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) Pilot Award

    2021
    Rising Star and Travel Award to the U13 Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Conference, AGS/NIA/ACS

    2021
    American Geriatrics Society Health in Aging Foundation New Investigator Award

    2021
    Women Leaders in Oncology 2021 Nominee

    2020 - 2023
    Committee on Education Affairs. American Society of Hematology

    2020 - 2021
    NCI K99 Administrative Supplement

    2020
    Big Idea Award (Co-PI with Mina Sedrak, City of Hope), Southwest Oncology Group

    2020
    The Elaine and Irwin Karron Memorial Prize for Excellence in Geriatrics, Division of Geriatrics and Aging

    2020
    Arti Hurria Memorial Award for Emerging Investigators in the Subspecialties of Internal Medicine, American Geriatrics Society

    2020
    Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging Program Scholar

    2019 - Present
    Junior Faculty Board, Cancer and Aging Research Group

    2019 - 2024
    NCI K99/R00 Career Development Award

    2019 - 2022
    Wilmot Research Fellowship Award
    Location: Rochester

    2019 - 2022
    ASCO Annual Meeting Education Committee-Geriatric Oncology (Chair 2020-2021)

    2019 - 2021
    Vice Chair, Cancer and Aging Special Interest Group, American Geriatrics Society

    2019 - 2020
    Oncology Technical Expert Panel, Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement

    2019
    Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

    2019
    Lightning Science Top Presentation, American Geriatrics Society

    2019
    Top Rated Abstract in the Category of "Geriatric Medicine in Other Specialties", American Geriatrics Society

    2019
    Older Adults Hematologic Malignancy (OHM) Program Visiting Scholar, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
    Location: Boston

    2019
    NCI Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop Fellow

    2018 - Present
    Geriatric Oncology Advisory Committee, Association of Community Cancer Centers

    2018 - 2020
    Clinical Practice Guideline Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology

    2018 - 2020
    Publication Committee, International Society of Geriatric Oncology

    2018
    Medical Faculty Council Student/Trainee Travel Award, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
    Location: Rochester

    2018
    Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

    2018
    John and Carol Bennett Travel Award, University of Rochester

    2018
    ASCO's Editorial Fellowship Program

    2018
    Massachusetts General Hospital Research Methods in Supportive Oncology Workshop Scholar

    2018
    Geriatrics Award in Honor of Carter and T. Franklin Williams, Rochester Academy of Medicine

    2018
    Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)/Hope Foundation Grant Writing Workshop Scholar

    2017
    Junior Faculty Travel Award to the Workshop on "Using Functional Assessment to Define Therapeutic Goals and Treatment
    Sponsor: National Institute of Aging U13 and the John A. Hartford Foundat
    Location: Chicago

    2017
    Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

    2017
    ASCO/American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop Scholar

    2017
    Clinical Research Training Institute Scholar, American Society of Hematology

    2017
    Scholarship to the FDA-ASCO Hematology and Oncology Fellows Day Workshop

    2017
    Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

    2017
    Young Investigator Award, Finalist. International Society of Geriatric Oncology

    2016 - 2019
    Trainee Council, American Society of Clinical Oncology

    2016
    Young Investigator Award, Finalist, International Society of Geriatric Oncology

    2016
    Scholarship to the Hemostasis & Thrombosis Research Society (HTRS) Trainee Workshop

    2016
    Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

    2016
    John and Carol Bennett Travel Award, University of Rochester

    2015
    Michael B. Rothberg Resident Research Award, Baystate Medical Center

    2015
    Kevin T. Hinchey Resident Teaching Award, Baystate Medical Center

    2015
    Clerkship Director's Award For "Outstanding" Contribution to Medical Student Teaching, Baystate Medical Center

    2015
    Awardee, Annual Fellow/Resident Academic Week Competition, Baystate Medical Center

    2015
    Young Investigator Travel Award to the Cancer and Aging Research U13 Conference

    2015
    Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award

    2015
    John and Carol Bennett Travel Award, University of Rochester

    2015
    Abstract recognition, Annual Academic Week Competition, Baystate Medical Center

    2014 - 2022
    Member (2014-2017), Vice Chair (2018-2020), Chair (2020-2022), Young SIOG

    2014
    Awardee, Annual Fellow/Resident Academic Week Competition, Baystate Medical Center

    2014
    Scholarship to the Southeast Center of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine (SCEGM) Resident Award Summit

    2014
    Honorary Mention, 9th Annual Research Symposium, Massachusetts Medical Society

    2014
    Scholarship to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Bechtel Geriatrics Award Summit

    2014
    2nd Runner Up, Resident Research Poster Competition, American College of Physicians Massachusetts Chapter
    Location: Massachusetts

    2014
    1st Runner-up, Resident Poster Competition, Case Studies Category, American Geriatrics Society

    2013
    Selected to attend the Baystate Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) in the care of older adults, Baystate Medical Center

    2013
    Tufts University School of Medicine 3rd Year Student Notable Teaching Citation, Baystate Medical Center

    2013
    Irish Healthcare Award for Student Project of the Year

    2011
    Recognized for a title of 'Outstanding Reviews', in abstract review process of 4th International Online Medical Conference

    2010
    Finalist, Sheppard Prize in Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

    2010
    Finalist, Royal College of Physicians Council Medal (Clinical vignette oral presentation), Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

    2010
    Undergraduate Research Travel Award, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

    2009
    'Highly Commended', Upjohn Medal in Molecular Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

    2009
    Barker Dissection Prize in Anatomy, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

    2008
    Student Mobility Programme to Bahrain, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

    2007
    Cambridge Tutors College A-Level MacCarthy Leaving Award

    2006
    Scholarship Award, Cambridge Tutors College

    2005
    American Field Service Intercultural Programs – Intensive Programme to Italy

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    Clinical Trials

    A Single Arm Pilot Trial of a Social Network Intervention (SONATA) for Older Patients on Oral Anticancer Treatments and Their Network Members

    Lead Researcher: Kah Poh Loh

    The purpose of this study is to see if a social network support program (SOcial Networks to Activate Trust & Adherence or SONATA) is helpful for older individuals receiving cancer treatment. The SONATA program will last for about 4 months. There are a total of 6 coaching sessions. The first 5 sessions will be held approximately every 1 to 2 weeks. Session 6 or the final session will be held approximately 1 to 2 months after session 5. Each session will last for about 1 to 2 hours.

    View Study Details

    An Exercise and COgnitive Rehabilitation Intervention for Older Cancer Survivors (The E-Co Study)

    Lead Researcher: Kah Poh Loh

    The objective of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of a combined mobile health exercise and cognitive rehabilitation intervention and its effect on cognition in a single-arm pilot study that recruits cancer survivors.

    View Study Details

    An Inpatient Advance Care Planning Intervention for Older Patients With Hematologic Malignancies

    Lead Researcher: Kah Poh Loh

    This is a pilot study to assess the preliminary efficacy of an inpatient advance care planning intervention on outcomes in older patients with hematologic malignancies

    View Study Details

    A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Patient-centered Communication Tool (UR-GOAL) for Older Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Their Caregivers, and Their Oncologists,A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Patient-centered Communication Tool (UR-GOAL) for Older Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Their Caregivers, and Their Oncologists

    Lead Researcher: Kah Poh Loh

    The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot randomized trial to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of the UR-GOAL tool vs. usual care in improving shared decision making and communication between 100 older patients with AML and their oncologists.

    View Study Details

    A Pilot Randomized Trial of a Mobile Health Exercise Intervention for Older Adults With Myeloid Neoplasms

    Lead Researcher: Kah Poh Loh

    This is a phase 2 randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the preliminary efficacy of the a mobile health exercise intervention (GO-EXCAP) versus a chemotherapy education control in 100 older patients with MN receiving outpatient chemotherapy on physical function and patient-reported outcomes (fatigue, mood, and quality of life). We will also explore the effect of the intervention on TNFα and related cytokine gene promoter methylation and their gene and protein expression.

    View Study Details

    Publications

    Journal Articles

    2/8/2024
    Jensen-Battaglia M, LoCastro M, Oh H, Sanapala C, Flannery M, Mendler JH, Liesveld J, Huselton E, Loh KP. "Patient-oncologist discussion of treatment decisions: Exploring the role of a patient-centered communication tool for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia and their caregivers." Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2024 Feb 8; :101716. Epub 2024 Feb 08.

    1/22/2024
    Loh KP, Wang Y, Sanapala C, Gilmore N, Netherby-Winslow C, Mendler JH, Liesveld J, Huselton E, Williams AM, Klepin HD, Jensen-Battaglia M, Mustian K, Vertino P, Susiarjo M, Janelsins MC. "Exercise and inflammatory cytokine regulation among older adults with myeloid malignancies." Experimental gerontology.. 2024 Jan 22; :112364. Epub 2024 Jan 22.

    12/13/2023
    Locastro M, Mortaz Hedjri S, Wang Y, Mendler JH, Norton SA, Bernacki R, Carroll T, Klepin HD, Liesveld JL, Huselton EJ, Kluger B, Loh KP. "Telehealth Serious Illness Care Program for Older Adults with Hematologic Malignancies: A single-arm pilot study." Blood advances.. 2023 Dec 13; Epub 2023 Dec 13.

    Books & Chapters

    2019
    Chapter Title: Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Geriatrics 3
    Book Title: Common Cancers
    Author List: Wong ML, Loh KP, Sedrak MS, Willliams GR, Dale W.
    Published By: Walter and Change 2019

    2019
    Chapter Title: Acute myeloid leukemia in older adults
    Book Title: Geriatric Oncology
    Author List: Loh KP, Pardee T, Klepin H
    Edited By: Extermann M
    Published By: Springer International Publishing 2019

    2018
    Chapter Title: Cancer-related fatigue
    Book Title: Handbook of Cancer Survivorship
    Author List: Mustian K, Lin PJ, Loh KP, Kleckner I
    Edited By: Feuerstein M and Neklyudov L
    Published By: Springer 2018

    VIEW ALL PUBLICATIONS

    Reviews

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