Dr. Cristina D. Gasparetto

I am convinced that caring for patients with malignant hematologic diseases requires not only up-to-date medical knowledge, but also an understanding of the individual patient's needs and circumstances. I encourage patients to take an active role in their treatment and recovery and I work with them to develop an individualized treatment plan that includes the most advanced therapies available today. My practice focuses primarily on disorders of the lymphatic system (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia). As an integral part of my clinical activities, I am dedicated to teaching young physicians at all levels of training and educating the next generation of hematologists. Dr. Stefanovic is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Midline Lethal Granuloma. Her top areas of expertise are Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), Marginal Zone Lymphoma (MZL), Large-Cell Immunoblastic Lymphoma, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

What makes Duke Health unique in bone marrow transplants is its holistic approach. We take care of the disease -- which is important, because these are very serious, potentially fatal diseases. But at the same time, we pay attention to patients’ emotional and psychological well-being in addition to their physical well-being. And not only for patients but also the whole family, because the caregivers and other parts of the family need attention as well. I wanted to go into medicine, because it was a great way to interact and take care of patients. In my mind, cancer is one of two diseases within internal medicine where you can actually cure people. The best part of bone marrow transplant is that the time between the laboratory and the patient is short. Patients who need a transplant tend to be relatively sick and in need of new therapies. That’s been very intellectually challenging and fun. Dr. Chao is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Midline Lethal Granuloma. His top areas of expertise are Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (cGvHD), Multiple Myeloma, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Graft.

Since studying basic immunology prior to beginning my clinical training, I have been deeply interested in applying immunological perspective for the treatment of cancers including hematologic malignancies. Interestingly emerging immunotherapies showed very promising results in recent years. In my clinic, I treat patients with multiple myeloma which is one type of cancer arising from plasma cells. My research will focus on developing early phase clinical protocols utilizing novel cellular therapy approach and also improving the outcomes of blood and marrow transplantation. My ultimate goal is to provide better treatment options than the current standard approach to patients. Dr. Choi is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Midline Lethal Granuloma. His top areas of expertise are Multiple Myeloma, Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.