Dr. Carla Hajj

Dr. Carla Hajj, MD, is a Staff Physician within the Oncology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. She is a radiation oncologist who has extensive experience in caring for people with a variety of cancers.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Hajj worked at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), New York, US. She also lead the MSKCC proton radiation therapy program for gastrointestinal and hematologic malignancies at New York Proton Center, New York, US.

Dr. Hajj obtained her medical degree from Université Saint Joseph Beirut, Lebanon. She completed residencies in Internal Medicine at the American University of Beuruit, Lebanon and in Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, US. She gained a fellowship in Lymphoma and a research fellowship from the same institute.

Dr. Hajj has significant experience in treating a wide range of tumors using advanced techniques, including intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)/stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), proton therapy, and radiation therapy using the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Guided Linear Accelerator (MRI-LINAC).

Her clinical research focuses on hematologic malignancies and gastrointestinal cancers. This involves two main efforts: learning about different malignancies and investigating novel technologies and treatment combinations in clinical trials to improve outcomes and quality of life in patients with cancer. As outcomes improve, many survivors could experience long-term side effects related to their cancer therapy. Her mission as a radiation oncologist is not only to cure cancer, but also to preserve quality of life after cancer treatment.

Dr. Hajj believes communication is key to maximizing quality of life for patients and always takes time to speak with them and their families about their diagnosis, concerns, and treatment goals. She also communicates and works closely with a team of experts from many different areas, including medical and surgical oncology, radiology, and pathology, to improve patient outcomes.