Salman Fazal, MD, a hematologist and stem cell transplant expert at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Harrisburg, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking his third consecutive year receiving this prestigious honor. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually for this recognition, which is based on peer nominations and evaluated by a physician-led research team.
Dr. Fazal's practice focuses on complex malignant hematologic conditions, including myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, B- and T-cell lymphomas, and multiple myeloma, with a special emphasis on high-risk, relapsed, and refractory disease. He is particularly noted for his expertise in advanced therapies such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies, bispecific antibodies, and innovative targeted treatments. He leads the bispecific therapy program in Central Pennsylvania, offering patients options when conventional treatments are no longer effective.
With over 16 years of experience, Dr. Fazal previously served as Director of the Cell Transplantation Program at Allegheny Health Network, where he provided leadership for allogeneic transplant and cellular therapy programs, including CAR-T and emerging immune effector therapies. He took over the transplant program when survival rates were below expected benchmarks and successfully led its turnaround, performing nearly 200 allogeneic transplants and establishing a dedicated long-term follow-up clinic for transplant patients. His efforts also included overseeing successful FACT accreditation inspections over nine years.
Dr. Fazal's commitment to patient care extends beyond clinical expertise. He emphasizes the importance of compassion in medicine, stating, "Expertise matters, but compassion is what truly defines care — and it shapes how I practice every day." To enhance accessibility, his practice offers both in-person and telemedicine consultations, ensuring patients can receive care regardless of their circumstances.
His educational background includes a medical degree from King Edward Medical College in Pakistan, an internal medicine residency at Rosalind Franklin University/Chicago Medical School and Griffin Hospital (a Yale affiliate), and a fellowship in hematology/oncology at Allegheny General Hospital, where he served as Chief Fellow. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology.
Dr. Fazal is also a dedicated educator, having been named Teaching Faculty of the Year for 2018–2019 by the Hematology Oncology Fellowship at Allegheny Health Network. He has held academic appointments at Temple University and Drexel University and has been a principal investigator on multiple phase II and III clinical trials. His research has been published in leading medical journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Blood, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Fazal serves as a medical advisor and board member for the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and was honored as an "MPN Hero" in 2025. His recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor reflects not only his professional achievements but also his dedication to advancing cancer care and improving patient outcomes.
