Dr. Shanthi Sivendran

Dr. Matthias Holdhoff is a medical oncologist and co-director of the Brain Cancer Disease Group at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins. He is a professor of oncology, neurology and neurological surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Holdhoff’s expertise is in primary brain cancers and central nervous system lymphomas. He earned his medical degree from Freie Universität Berlin, received his doctorate degree at Charité University Medicine Berlin. Dr. Holdhoff completed residency training in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology at Johns Hopkins Hospital with research training at the Ludwig Center for Cancer Genetics and Therapeutics (Kinzler-Vogelstein lab). As a clinical investigator in neuro-oncology, his research is focused on novel trials and translational biomarker studies in malignant gliomas and primary central nervous system lymphomas. He has led and contributed to numerous clinical trials, publications and presentations. Dr. Holdhoff serves as the director of the solid tumor inpatient service at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is passionately involved in mentoring and teaching of fellows, residents and students. He is the director of the UCNS-certified neuro-oncology fellowship program at Johns Hopkins, and he is a teaching attending physician for the Osler internal medicine residency program. Dr. Holdhoff is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Posterior Fossa Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Glioma, Glioblastoma, Astrocytoma, and Brain Tumor.

Arati Desai is an Oncologist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Desai is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Posterior Fossa Tumor. Her top areas of expertise are Glioblastoma, Astrocytoma, Glioma, and Gliomatosis Cerebri. Dr. Desai is currently accepting new patients.

Philosophy of care | Effective medical care begins with a deep understanding of each patient’s circumstances and needs. The physician-patient relationship is foundational and must be a two-way dialogue built on trust and respect. I prioritize learning what truly matters to you and your family. I offer treatment recommendations and options that align with your values, preferences and goals. While my clinical focus is on blood disorders and blood cancers, listening carefully and tailoring care to patients is the heart of everything I do. I provide guidance and recommendations, but the decisions ultimately belong to you, the patient. I strongly believe in a team-based approach, where collaboration and communication yield the best outcomes. | Why I entered medicine | When I started college, medicine was the farthest thing from my mind; I was an economics major and took the MCAT on a whim. To my surprise, I scored far better than expected for someone without a science background, and that led me to medical school. Looking back, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Medicine – and caring for patients – has become my true passion. My path into the field was unconventional but led me exactly where I was meant to be. Practicing hematology and oncology isn’t just a career for me – it’s the only thing I can see myself doing. | Community involvement | As a part of cancer center leadership, I participate in local events and charities for patients with cancer and blood diseases, including speaking to the leukemia/lymphoma society. I am particularly fond of events centered around running for cancer charities. | Personal interests | Running is a personal passion of mine – second only to medicine and my family. Dr. Lash is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Posterior Fossa Tumor. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Large-Cell Immunoblastic Lymphoma, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.