Born in Bangladesh, Dr. Nahida Islam later moved to the United States to pursue her medical career as a hematologist-oncologist. “When I was in the first year of medical school, my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer,” she explains. “At that time in Bangladesh, there was no cancer-specific care. It was hard to find anything that would help. I trace my motivation to treat cancer and help cancer patients to her illness. My grandmother was really my inspiration to become a hematologist-oncologist.”

Dr. Islam has extensive experience treating lung cancer as well as cancers of the head and neck in addition to cancers affecting other organs. She is encouraged by the many new cancer treatments that have been developed in the last decade. “Immunotherapies and other targeted therapies available now for patients with advanced cancers has given us more tools to treat cancer. There is more hope now for cancer patients. It’s a very exciting time to practice.”

In her work as a hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Islam believes in taking care of the whole person, not just the disease. “I think it’s important to take care of a patient’s physical health and mental health,” she explains. “When someone is given a diagnosis of cancer, their whole world is turned upside down. It affects everything they do on a daily basis. I believe we should employ all our resources to take care of the whole person. To help them get better, help them cope with the situation, and help them enjoy the best life they can.”

On weekends, Dr. Islam is an avid hiker, enjoys watching her kids play sports, and trying different cuisines. She also enjoys cooking. She has traveled with her family extensively in the U.S. and other parts of the world.