Dr. Salman Fazal Honored as 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Dr. Salman Fazal, a hematologist and stem cell transplant expert, has been honored as a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the third consecutive year, cementing his reputation as a leading figure in the field of cancer care. This recognition, given to only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians each year, underscores Dr. Fazal's exceptional contributions to the medical community.

Dr. Fazal, who has over 16 years of experience, is a key member of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Harrisburg, a prestigious NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His expertise in treating complex hematologic conditions, including myelodysplastic syndromes, acute myeloid leukemia, and B- and T-cell lymphomas, has made him a go-to specialist for patients seeking advanced care.

"I've learned that while expertise is important, compassion is what truly defines care and shapes my practice," Dr. Fazal stated. His dedication to patient care is evident in his range of services, which include hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, cellular therapies, bispecific antibodies, and innovative targeted treatments. Dr. Fazal leads the bispecific therapy program in Central Pennsylvania, contributing significantly to the region's medical landscape.

Dr. Fazal's career highlights include his decade-long tenure as Director of the Cell Transplantation Program at Allegheny Health Network. He transformed the program from one with low survival rates to a model of excellence, performing nearly 200 allogeneic transplants and establishing a long-term follow-up clinic for transplant patients. His leadership also led to the successful FACT accreditation inspections over nine years.

Dr. Fazal's commitment to accessibility is reflected in the versatile consultation options his practice offers, allowing patients to choose between in-person appointments and virtual telemedicine visits. His academic achievements include being named Teaching Faculty of the Year by the Hematology Oncology Fellowship at Allegheny Health Network and serving as a principal investigator on numerous clinical trials. He has also received recognition as an "MPN Hero" in 2025 and is a board member for the Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Fazal has contributed to leading medical journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Blood, and the Journal of Clinical Oncology. His work focuses on transplantation outcomes and hematologic malignancies, further solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the field.

Castle Connolly, the organization that selected Dr. Fazal, publishes its Top Doctors list at castleconnolly.com and in various partner publications. The selection process is based on peer nominations and a rigorous evaluation by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team.

Dr. Fazal's repeated recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor reflects his unwavering commitment to providing top-tier care and his ongoing contributions to medical research and education.