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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
Career Development Award
Sponsor: Conquer Cancer American Society of Clinical Oncology

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

2022 - 2023
Cancer Prevention and Control Pilot Fund
Sponsor: Wilmot Cancer Institute

2022 - 2023
W.G. Stuber Fellowship
Sponsor: University of Rochester

2022
NIH Mobile Health Training Institute Scholar
Sponsor: National Institute of Health

2022
Travel Award to the Workshop "Measuring Biologic Age"
Sponsor: Research Centers Collaborative Network

2022
Wilmot Community Outreach and Engagement Innovator Award
Sponsor: Wilmot

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

2022
Skills Development Consortium – Utah Advanced Course on Mentoring, Leadership, and Research on Cancer-Related Health
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute

2021 - Present
Board Member
Sponsor: International Society of Geriatric Oncology

2021 - Present
Landscape Committee, Cancer Care Delivery Research
Sponsor: NCI Community Oncology Research Program

2021 - Present
Member, Education Committee
Sponsor: Association of Community Cancer Centers

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

2021 - Present
Member, Research Committee
Sponsor: American Geriatrics Society

2021 - Present
Member, Research Methods Subcommittee
Sponsor: American Geriatrics Society

2021 - Present
Member, NIA Subcommittee
Sponsor: American Geriatrics Society

2021 - 2022
Collaborative Pilot Grant
Sponsor: Wilmot Cancer Institute and UR Aging Institute
Location: Rochester

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

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

2021 - 2021
Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) Pilot Award
Sponsor: CARG/National Institute of Aging

2021
Health in Aging Foundation New Investigator Award
Sponsor: American Geriatrics Society

2021
Women Leaders in Oncology 2021 Nominee

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

2020 - 2023
Committee on Education Affairs
Sponsor: American Society of Hematology

2020 - 2021
K99 Administrative Supplement
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute

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

2020
The Elaine and Irwin Karron Memorial Prize for Excellence in Geriatrics
Sponsor: Division of Geriatrics and Aging
Location: Rochester

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

2020
Tideswell Emerging Leaders in Aging Program Scholar
Sponsor: University of California San Francisco

2019 - Present
Junior Faculty Board
Sponsor: Cancer and Aging Research Group

2019 - 2024
K99/R00 Career Development Award
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute

2019 - 2022
Wilmot Research Fellowship Award
Sponsor: Wilmot Cancer Institute
Location: Rochester

2019 - 2022
ASCO Annual Meeting Education Committee-Geriatric Oncology (Chair 2020-2021)
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology

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

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

2019
Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology
Location: Chicago

2019
Top Rated Abstract in the Category of "Geriatric Medicine in Other Specialties"
Sponsor: American Geriatrics Society
Location: Portland

2019
Lightning Science Top Presentation
Sponsor: American Geriatrics Society
Location: Portland, USA

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

2019
Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Workshop Fellow
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

2018 - Present
Geriatric Oncology Advisory Committee
Sponsor: The Association of Community Cancer Centers

2018 - 2020
Clinical Practice Guideline Committee
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology

2018 - 2020
Publication Committee
Sponsor: International Society of Geriatric Oncology

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

2018
Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology
Location: San Diego

2018
John and Carol Bennett Travel Award, University of Rochester

2018
ASCO's Editorial Fellowship Program
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology

2018
Massachusetts General Hospital Research Methods in Supportive Oncology Workshop Scholar
Sponsor: National Cancer Institute
Location: Boston

2018
Geriatrics Award in Honor of Carter and T. Franklin Williams
Sponsor: Rochester Academy of Medicine
Location: Rochester

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
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology
Location: San Diego

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

2017
Clinical Research Training Institute Scholar
Sponsor: American Society of Hematology

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

2017
Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology
Location: Chicago

2017
Young Investigator Award, Finalist
Sponsor: International Society of Geriatric Oncology

2016 - 2019
Trainee Council
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology

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

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

2016
Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology
Location: Chicago

2016
John and Carol Bennett Travel Award, University of Rochester

2015
Michael B. Rothberg Resident Research Award
Sponsor: Baystate Medical Center

2015
Kevin T. Hinchey Resident Teaching Award
Sponsor: Baystate Medical Center

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

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

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

2015
Conquer Cancer Foundation Merit Award
Sponsor: American Society of Clinical Oncology
Location: Chicago

2015
John and Carol Bennett Travel Award, University of Rochester

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

2014 - Present
Member (2014-2017), Vice Chair (2018-2020), Chair (2021-present)
Sponsor: Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology Interest Group

2014
Awardee, Annual Fellow/Resident Academic Week Competition
Sponsor: 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
Sponsor: 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
Sponsor: American College of Physicians Massachusetts Chapter
Location: Massachusetts

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

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

2013
Tufts University School of Medicine 3rd Year Student Notable Teaching Citation
Sponsor: 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
Sponsor: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

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

2010
Undergraduate Research Travel Award
Sponsor: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

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

2009
Barker Dissection Prize in Anatomy
Sponsor: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

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

2007
Cambridge Tutors College A-Level MacCarthy Leaving Award
Sponsor: Cambridge Tutors College

2006
Scholarship Award
Sponsor: Cambridge Tutors College

2005
American Field Service Intercultural Programs – Intensive Programme to Italy

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Publications

Journal Articles

8/2023
Loh KP, Wang Y, Yilmaz S, Nightingale CL, Parsons SK, Braun-Inglis C, Gada U, Montes A, Magnuson A, Culakova E, Strause S, Kamen C, Dressler E, Mustian K, Morrow G, Mohile S, . "Information Technology and Telemedicine Services in Community Oncology Practices." JCO clinical cancer informatics.. 2023 Aug; 7:e2300086.

7/29/2023
Kyi K, Gilmore N, Kadambi S, Loh KP, Magnuson A. "Stigmatizing language in caring for older adults with cancer: Common patterns of use and mechanisms to change the culture." Journal of geriatric oncology.. 2023 Jul 29; :101593. Epub 2023 Jul 29.

7/17/2023
Dale W, Klepin HD, Williams GR, Alibhai SMH, Bergerot C, Brintzenhofeszoc K, Hopkins JO, Jhawer MP, Katheria V, Loh KP, Lowenstein LM, McKoy JM, Noronha V, Phillips T, Rosko AE, Ruegg T, Schiaffino MK, Simmons JF, Subbiah I, Tew WP, Webb TL, Whitehead M, Somerfield MR, Mohile SG. "Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy: ASCO Guideline Update." Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.. 2023 Jul 17; :JCO2300933. Epub 2023 Jul 17.

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