Dhivya Prabhakar,MD

Dr. Dhivya Prabhakar joined City of Hope in May 2023 as a Medical Oncologist. In this role, Dr. Prabhakar works with a multidisciplinary team to evaluate and treat a variety of types and stages of cancer, with a focus on thoracic (including lung) and neuroendocrine tumors. She’s well published on topics such as the association between smoking and triple negative breast cancer and a book chapter on breast cancer.

“My goal is to be there for my patients as a trusted partner for every step of their cancer journey,” says Dr. Prabhakar. “Part of the reason I was drawn to City of Hope is its commitment to compassionate patient-centered care.”

After earning her medical degree from the PES Institute of Medical Science and Research in Kuppam, India, Dr. Prabhakar completed her internship in general medicine and general surgery at the same institution. She then completed her internal medicine residency at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, before finishing fellowships in hematology and oncology, first with University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, then with The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She is triple board certified in internal medicine, hematology and oncology.

Originally, Dr. Prabhakar was encouraged to pursue medicine by her father, who stressed the value of serving patients’ needs. During her residency, Dr. Prabhakar was inspired by the experience she gained in oncology and decided to pursue a fellowship in hematology and oncology, aspiring to a career where she could develop longitudinal relationships with patients and be there for them throughout their journeys. Dr. Prabhakar is also excited by the advancements in oncology, especially those driven by City of Hope innovations and breakthroughs, and the hope they bring to the field.

In her free time, Dr. Prabhakar likes to travel, enjoys the outdoors and spends time with her husband and young twins.