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About Rafael Bejar, MD, PhD

Dr. Rafael Bejar, MD, PhD, is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology, with a special interest in hematologic malignancies (blood cancers). He specializes in the care of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and related blood disorders.

Dr. Bejar has established a MDS Center of Excellence at UC San Diego Health focused on providing the best diagnostic tools, supportive care, clinical trials, and medical expertise in one center.

Dr. Bejar is a physician-scientist who, in addition to caring for patients, runs a research laboratory dedicated to the study of MDS. His focus is to discover disease features that can be used to personalize the care of patients with MDS. He has published key papers in the New England Journal and the Journal of Clinical Oncology examining the genetic changes that drive the development of MDS. His efforts have led to the development of clinic tests for mutations that help predict prognosis and individualize treatment options for patients. Current research involves investigating how acquired mutations in MDS patients are associated with their response to treatment with drugs like azacitidine and decitabine, in hopes to discover genes that physicians can test for mutations in order to select the best treatment options. These studies should also provide insight into the mechanisms of drug resistance and how to overcome them.

Dr. Bejar completed his internal medicine residency at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he was later a chief medical resident. He then received his fellowship training in hematology and oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He earned his medical degree and PhD at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Outside of work, Dr. Bejar enjoys spending time with his wife and three boys. He can also be found riding his bicycle or scuba diving off the San Diego coast.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Blood Disorder Care, Blood Cancers and Cancer Care.

Insurance Information
UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans, but you should verify that your plan covers this provider and all services and locations. The information in the link below does not apply to affiliate providers, who are not employed by UC San Diego Health.
Health Insurance Plans Accepted

Medical Degree

  • UC San Diego, School of Medicine, San Diego, CA

Internship

  • University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL

Residency

  • Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA

Fellowship

  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Gender

  • Male

Languages

  • Spanish

Date Joined Staff

  • 2012-07-01

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Medical Oncology

Conditions and Treatments

  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)
  • Hematologic Malignancies
Insurance Information
UC San Diego Health accepts most major health insurance plans, but you should verify that your plan covers this provider and all services and locations. The information in the link below does not apply to affiliate providers, who are not employed by UC San Diego Health.
Health Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Cancer

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