At SAMS, we are proud to highlight the achievements and contributions of our dedicated members who are making a real difference in healthcare. This month, we shine the spotlight on Dr. Monzr M. AlMalki, a distinguished hematologist and oncologist whose work spans both the United States and Syria.

Dr. AlMalki was born in Damascus, Syria, and has dedicated his life to advancing the field of hematology and oncology. He graduated from Damascus University’s Faculty of Medicine before completing his residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a fellowship at Boston University. Today, he serves as a Professor of Hematology and Medical Oncology and is the Director of the MUD Bone Marrow Transplant Program at City of Hope in Los Angeles, California, the largest transplant center in the United States.

Outside of his demanding professional life, Dr. AlMalki enjoys spending time with his family. He is married to Diana AlMalki, and they are proud parents of two children, Laila and Noah. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and tennis, keeping an active and balanced lifestyle alongside his career.

Dr. AlMalki has been involved with SAMS since 2010 and became particularly active in 2014–2015, when he began working on the ground to support medical programs in Syria. He currently chairs the SAMS National Research Committee and serves as Vice Chair for the Cancer Assembly. One of his most notable contributions was founding and serving as the first Program Director of the Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program established by SAMS in Idleb in 2017–2018. This program successfully graduated multiple hematology-oncology specialists, who are now working across northern Syria in various cancer centers.

Reflecting on his involvement with SAMS, Dr. AlMalki shares, “It is my second family here in the States and back home. It is my way of giving back to my people.” On what keeps him engaged after all these years, he adds, “I don’t even have an answer — it has become part of my daily life. When people ask me what I do for a living, I say I am a bone marrow transplant physician… and a SAMS doctor in the afternoon.”

Dr. Monzr M. AlMalki’s journey demonstrates the profound impact a dedicated physician can have on global healthcare, medical education, and mentorship. Through his unwavering commitment, leadership, and compassion, he continues to inspire the next generation of doctors while improving patient care both locally and internationally.