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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

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-Springfield GME

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

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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

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

11/8/2023
Loh KP, Mohile SG. "Geriatric assessment and management: is decreasing treatment toxicity good enough?" Journal of the National Cancer Institute.. 2023 Nov 8; Epub 2023 Nov 08.

11/4/2023
Gilmore N, Loh KP, Liposits G, Arora SP, Vertino P, Janelsins M. "Epigenetic and inflammatory markers in older adults with cancer: A Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology narrative review." Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2023 Nov 4; 15(1):101655. Epub 2023 Nov 04.

10/26/2023
Jensen-Battaglia M, Mohammed M, Loh KP, Wells M, Tylock R, Ramsdale E, Canin B, Geer J, O'Rourke MA, Liu JJ, Seplaki CL, Mohile SG, Wildes TM. "Modifiable fall risk factors among older adults with advanced cancer: Secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized clinical trial." Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2023 Oct 26; 14(8):101650. Epub 2023 Oct 26.

Books & Chapters

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

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

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