Bhaskar Kolla, MBBS

"I would like to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I would like to provide care that is most evidence based, and I see my relationship with patients as a partnership towards a common goal."

Professional Interests/Specializations I am interested in all solid tumors such as lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer, hematological malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia, and non-hematological blood disorders such as bleeding and clotting problems. I have additional special interest in:- Hematological malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia- Quality improvement- Outcomes research and clinical trials

About MeWhere else have you worked? I have been practicing medicine for close to 20 years prior to coming to OMC in 2021. I graduated from medical school in 2003 and worked as senior house officer in Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean nation for three years. Once I completed my internal medicine residency training in Evanston, Illinois, I began working as Hospitalist in Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, Wisconsin until 2013. After I began working as an Assistant Professor and Hospitalist in the inpatient hematology, oncology and bone marrow transplantation division at University of Minnesota, it solidified my interest in hematology and oncology. I continued my formal training in Hematology and Oncology at University of Minnesota in 2021.

Why do you like working at OMC? With my past work experience in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, I have some nostalgia from taking care of patients in Western Wisconsin. I think they are very caring, family-oriented and neighbor-loving people. It reminds me of people from my childhood.

Philosophy of Care I understand the overwhelming and life changing nature that comes with a diagnosis of cancer. I see my relationship with patients as a partnership towards a common goal, so I try to explain everything in a way patients would understand. This helps alleviate some of the uncertainty and anxiety, as well as bring some sense of control over the illness. I like to treat everyone with respect and kindness while providing care that is most evidence based.

What do you like to do when you're not at OMC? Outside of the specialty clinic at OMC, I am a specialist for Regions. My favorite thing to do outside of work is to spend time with family and friends outdoors. I have two wonderful young kids. My wife and kids love outdoors as well and we all go biking, kayaking and canoeing, ice skating and skiing depending on the season. I like to watch movies or TV shows that are based on real life events or are futuristic that capture your imagination. My recent favorites are ‘SEE’ and ‘Tehran’ on Apple TV and ‘Hanna’ on amazon prime. My favorite book is “The emperor of maladies”, a Pulitzer prize winner on the biography of cancer.

Fun Fact My family has formed a small amateur music band at home; I play piano, my daughter sings and my wife likes to record them.