Bhisham Chera, M.D.

Professor

Radiation Medicine

Cancer Focus:

Clinical translational trials for head and neck and skin cancers

Research Program:

Developmental Cancer Therapeutics

Contact

Research Interest

I am a Professor and the Wendy & Keith Wellin Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology at the Medical University of South Carolina where I lead the head and neck radiation oncology program and serve as the Vice Chair for Quality Assurance in the Department of Radiation Oncology. I am a clinical trialist whose research focuses on the development and testing of novel strategies to de-intensify treatment for patients with head and neck cancer to decrease treatment-related morbidity and improve quality of life. This program of research encompasses two major threads. One line of my work explores the use and interpretation of patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials for patients with head and neck cancer. The second focus of my research is on the development and evaluation of ctHPV16DNA as a biomarker in patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer.

Positions and Scientific Appointments

2022-Present: Vice Chairman for Safety and Quality Assurance, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC 2022-Present: Wendy & Keith Wellin Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, MUSC, Charleston, SC 2022-Present: Professor of Radiation Oncology & Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, MUSC, Charleston, SC 2022-Present: NRG Translational Science Committee 2022-Present: NRG Developmental Therapeutics RT Subcommittee 2022-Present: NRG Head and Neck Core Committee 2021-Present: NCI Head and Neck Steering Committee Metastatic and Recurrent Task Force 2016-Present: Radiation Oncology Health Advisory Committee, American Society of Therapeutic Radiation Oncology 2016-2022: Associate Chair of Clinical Operations and Improvement, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC 2015-2022: Associate Professor, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 2014-2022: Faculty Member, Institute Healthcare Quality Improvement, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 2012-2022: Director of Patient Safety and Quality, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 2009-2015: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC 2005-2009: Residency, Dept. of Rad. Oncology, Univ. of Florida Shands Cancer Ctr., Gainesville, FL 2004-2005: Internship, Med. University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Education

Residency

January 2009

Radiation Oncology

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

MD

January 2004

Medicine

Medical University South Carolina, Charleston, SC

BS

January 2000

Biology

Winthrop Univ., Rock Hill, SC

View Full Bibliography