Dr. Arun Bhandari, MD

Dr Bhandari actively participates in weekly multi-disciplinary tumor boards at AAMC to provide the best patient care, as he believes that cancer care is a team work approach. He is one of the few oncologists in Annapolis area, who rounds at AAMC to provide continuity of care to the patients admitted in the hospital, as he believes that when you are sick, nothing better than providing care close to your home by your own oncologist whom you trust as a quarterback of your cancer care team.

Dr. Bhandari is honored to be a key player of the team of doctors involved in care of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan during his cancer treatment journey. Governor Hogan’s faith in Dr. Bhandari speaks for itself as Governor Hogan mentioned his names in his book “ Still Standing” https://www.stillstandingbook.com/

Dr. Bhandari is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore. https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/

He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington DC. https://smhs.gwu.edu/

Dr. Bhandari is a Teaching Faculty of Internal Medicine Residency Program at Anne Arundel Medical Center - a part of Luminis Health. https://aahs.org/. He loves to teach medical residents, as he believes teaching is the best service to the society. He is a firm believer in LEARN- EARN and RETURN.

In March 2020 Dr. Bhandari was appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as Commissioner on Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC). https://mhcc.maryland.gov/

In 2018 Dr. Bhandari was appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan as a Council on the Maryland State Council on Cancer Control. https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/cancer/Pages/sccc_home.aspx

In 2016 Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Bhandari on The Maryland Board of Physicians (MDBOP). He served as a Chairman of Panel A of Board of Physicians from May 2016 until April 2020, where he was responsible to assure quality health care in Maryland and enforcing the Maryland Medical Practice Act. https://www.mbp.state.md.us/

Dr. Bhandari is an Executive Board Member of The Maryland and District of Columbia Society Of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (MDCSCO) which plays a significant role to improve the quality and delivery of cancer care in Maryland and the District of Columbia. https://www.mdcscoweb.org/

Dr. Bhandari is board certified in Medical Oncology and Hematology. He is a member of American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), American Society of Hematology (ASH).

Dr. Bhandari has expertise in treating various types of cancers including head and neck cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancers (colon, pancreas, liver, gastric, esophageal etc.), genitourinary cancers (bladder, kidney, prostate, testicular etc.), gynecological cancers (cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal etc.), skin cancer including melanoma, Lymphoma, multiple myeloma, Leukemia and various other blood disorders including anemia, blood clots etc.

Dr. Bhandari completed fellowship in Hematology- Oncology from Georgetown University Hospital/ Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC with bone marrow transplant rotation at National Institute of Health - National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NIH- NHLBI), Bethesda, MD. He served as a Chief fellow in Hematology & Oncology (2004-2005). He was a fellow in Hematology & Oncology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN. He completed Internal Medicine residency at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Queens, New York. He earned medical degree from Punjabi University and Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India.

Dr. Bhandari served as an attending physician at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), Allegheny Health Network (AHN), Pittsburgh, PA, where he was actively involved in teaching Hematology- Oncology fellows and residents.

Dr. Bhandari currently provides care to patients at Annapolis and Kent Island offices. His goal is to provide high quality, empathetic and personalized care to the community. His dedication to navigating cancer care and the ability to simplify even the most complex information for patients is his greatest asset. Dr. Bhandari enjoys building relationships with his patients and their families. His patients know him best for his compassion, humor and commitment to their needs.

Dr. Bhandari is a native of Maryland and grew up in Silver Spring area in Montgomery County. He speaks English, Hindi and Punjabi. He is very much involved in various community and charitable activities. He is a firm believer of “In the joy of others lies our own.”

His Mission Statement is - CARE IT- Compassion/ Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Teamwork.

Hopeful Quotes:-

• You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as beautiful as you'd ever imagined.
• You are loved. You are wonderfully made. You are beautiful. You are a masterpiece. GOD has a great plan for you.
• Don't let cancer cause you to sell yourself short or forget your worth. Don’t lose hope. When the sun goes down, the stars come out. Difficult roads often lead to a beautiful destination. Be thankful for this day.
• Cancer changes your life, often for the better. You learn what’s important, you learn to prioritize, and you learn not to waste your time. You tell people you love them.

REMEMBER: You're NOT dying from CANCER … You're LIVING with IT. WE WILL STAND AND FIGHT TOGETHER AND PRAY FOR GOD’S BLESSINGS.

AMEN!