The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Northside Hospital (NH-BMT) provides the best of both worlds—clinical excellence and compassionate care. We are committed to being the premier program in the Southeast, providing exceptional, state-of-the-art care to patients undergoing acute leukemia treatment, CAR T-cell immunotherapy, and blood and marrow stem cell transplantation. New patient brochure
2024 National Leaders in Allogeneic Transplantation
NH-BMT is the ONLY BMT program in the country and the only BMT program in Georgia to have achieved survival outcomes that significantly exceeded the expected survival rate for allogeneic and unrelated donor transplants for the last 16 consecutive reporting cycles (2009–2024) and is one of only 12 national centers (less than 10% of all centers) to over-perform for the current annual reporting cycle.
The Program’s actual one-year survival rate, as reported in the December 2024 Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) final 2024 Transplant Center Specific Survival Report and nmdp.org is 82.6%.*
For additional survival data details, visit bmtga.com/bmt-survival-data.
*Survival information includes only patients who received their first allogeneic transplant between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022, using unrelated or related donors and who had reported follow-up.
Dr. Joseph Maakaron Joins the BMTGA and the Northside BMT/Leukemia/Immunotherapy Programs
We are excited to welcome Dr. Joseph Maakaron to our practice and program. He brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will enhance patient care and research capabilities.
Before joining us, Dr. Maakaron served as Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation at the University of Minnesota. He held several key leadership roles, including co-chair of the BIG10 BMT Committee and BMT Fellowship Director at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Maakaron has authored or co-authored over 90 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of hematology, leukemia, and stem cell transplantation. His clinical research focuses on the modern applications of cellular and targeted therapies for treating lymphomas, leukemias, and other hematologic malignancies. He is also committed to advancing strategies that reduce treatment-related toxicities to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
We are proud to have Dr. Maakaron as part of our team and look forward to the expertise he brings to our patients and colleagues alike.
Dr. Maakaron can be reached at 404-255-1930.
Multiple myeloma: Advances in treatment and outcomes
Dr. Liza Bachier-Rodriguez
Multiple myeloma (MM) exists in the spectrum of plasma cell dyscrasias and is a malignant proliferation of clonal plasma cells causing end organ damage. NCI SEER data estimated over 35,000 new cases of MM in 2024, accounting for 2% of all cancers and 19% of all hematologic malignancies in the United States.
Standard treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM)
Treatment for NDMM is induction chemotherapy, followed by consolidation with high-dose alkylating chemotherapy and peripheral blood autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHCT), and maintenance therapy with 1-2 drugs to prevent disease recurrence.
Congratulations Lou for Donating 250 Platelet Units
On April 28th, Lou Cohan reached an incredible milestone by donating his 250th platelet product to support the leukemia, blood and marrow transplant, and cellular therapy patients at Atlanta Blood Services. We celebrate and thank Lou for his extraordinary generosity and unwavering commitment to providing lifesaving support to critically ill patients.
A single platelet donation can help up to three people. Inspired by a friend's leukemia diagnosis, Lou has been donating platelets for over 30 years, potentially helping more than 700 patients. His journey is a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness can create an extraordinary impact.
Lou’s story has inspired the launch of the “250 for 250” campaign, encouraging others to follow his example. Through his donations, Lou shows that anyone can be a hero by giving the precious gifts of time, life, and hope.
Amtagvi (lifileucel) is now available as SECOND line therapy for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma
Northside’s Immunotherapy Program is the FIRST approved TIL treatment center in Georgia.
Eligibility: To schedule a patient consultation, please call The Blood & Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia at 404-255-1930.
>18 years of age with unresectable or metastatic melanoma
Must have progressed on at least 1 previous systemic therapy, including a PD-L1 antibody, and if they had BRAF V600E mutation-positive disease, a BRAF or BRAF/MEK inhibitor
At least 1 resectable lesion
Patient Stories
Momta's story: Surviving leukemia and heart failure
In 1993, while living in New York City, Momta Jahan was diagnosed with and treated for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It was a challenging time for her. With two young daughters — ages 7 1/2 years and 13 months — Momta said she had no choice but to fight for her life. Thankfully, she achieved complete remission. In 1997, Momta and her family moved to Clarkston, Georgia. Then, in late August 2021, she began feeling weak and fatigued and noticed she was bruising easily.Click Here to read full interview
Marguerite’s story: Triumph over double-hit lymphoma
Marguerite Madden's journey began with an unexpected back pain that led to a life-changing lymphoma diagnosis. Supported by her family, friends and an exceptional medical team, despite the grueling treatments and setbacks, Marguerite stayed determined, continuing her work as a professor and rebuilding her strength. Now, nearly two years after a stem cell transplant, she remains cancer-free, embracing life with hope and gratitude … and running. Click Here to read full interview
Diane’s story: Beat lymphoma with CAR T-cell therapy
Diane Ashby of Roswell, Georgia, says her cancer journey began in an “oh-so-unexpected” manner. In the fall of 2022, she finally decided to retire after 48 years of service across three major technology companies. She and her family spent a week at the beach to celebrate. That’s when she started experiencing unbelievable pain in her stomach – like nothing she’d ever felt before. Thinking it was perhaps food poisoning, I was not really concerned. Click Here to read full interview
