WVU CANCER INSTITUTE
Salman Osman, MD, Hematologist-Oncologist
“I’m proud of the personalized care we provide for every person we serve.”
When Salman Osman, MD, joined the WVU Cancer Institute in 2012, he was already embedded in the hospital system. From his first day as a resident at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital in 2005, he focused on improving cancer care for patients living in rural communities.
As a board-certified hematologist-oncologist, Dr. Osman delivers a full range of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other targeted treatments for patients who face most types of cancer. He provides these therapies to patients five days a week in a state-of-the-art infusion center at WVU Cancer Institute at United Hospital Center (UHC) Cecil B. Highland, Jr., & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center in Bridgeport.
“I have been blessed to be part of the program at UHC since its infancy. I was one of the first oncologists hired. I’ve helped build a program that stays invested with the patient throughout their entire cancer journey,” he said. “I’m proud of the personalized care we provide for every person we serve.”
Dr. Osman’s interest in medicine developed slowly. Coming from a family of engineers, he also loved science – especially biology. The subject was entertaining and challenging for him even though he wasn’t sure where it would lead. Then, during a car ride with his mother, the idea of channeling his love of biology into becoming a doctor clicked for him.
“Around 16 or 17, I was driving with my mother past my pediatrician’s office. I didn’t know much about the profession of medicine, but my doctor left a positive impression on me,” he said. “At that point, by pairing that conversation with the excitement of my biology classes, I found my inspiration.”
From that moment, Dr. Osman said he was on a quest for information. His desire to continue learning has motivated him throughout his medical education and career. After finishing medical school at King Edward Medical University in Pakistan, he came to the United States at 25 to complete his training. He launched his career at West Virginia University and completed an internal medicine residency in 2009. When choosing a fellowship, Osman said most specialties felt device-heavy and mechanical like engineering. For him, hematology and oncology were different. They fed into his constant search for knowledge.
“To me, oncology is so dynamic. It is constantly changing and forcing me to keep up,” he said. “There’s still so much about malignancy and cancer that we don’t know. But we’re constantly working with new drugs and new treatments to improve the lives of patients.”
Dr. Osman said he’s committed to bringing these leading-edge therapies to patients who live in rural communities like Bridgeport. That includes helping patients enroll in clinical trials that deliver next-generation treatments that aren’t always available elsewhere. Increasing access to this type of life-extending care is a priority, he said, because it helps families and communities thrive.
“At UHC, we’re in a unique position to provide life-changing care so our patients don’t have to drive three hours or more for the therapy they need,” he said. “A very exciting part of my job is that I get to open new clinics in different areas, making it easier for people to get care closer to home. We’ve become somewhat of a regional hub. That’s something I’m very passionate about.”
Providing advanced care is only part of his responsibility. Being a partner who can help patients understand their condition and set realistic goals is equally important, Dr. Osman said. That’s why he takes a patient-centered approach to care.
“My entire aim is for patients to be involved in their care. I show them the guidelines and get them involved with what’s going on. That part of individualized care matters to me,” he said. “I want my patients to know their options – to understand the pros and cons of every treatment. Then, my colleagues and I can help them decide about the best care option.”
When Dr. Osman isn’t caring for patients, he likes to travel and spend time with his family. He enjoys watching horror movies, cooking, and, as a self-described “metal head,” playing his five guitars.