Karen Ortiz, MD

Medical Oncologist

Breast

"Dr Ortiz is an excellent provider. she listens well. she works together with you to create the best treatment plan. She is always reassuring and makes you feel well. She cares about the patient's needs, which I appreciate."

Dr. Ortiz joined Ironwood Cancer & Research Center in September 2014, after completing her hematology and medical oncology fellowship at the University of South Carolina in Charleston. She completed two years of research at the National Cancer Institute | National Institutes of Health in Bethesda Maryland where she was involved with clinical research in radiation oncology in addition to work with medical oncology.

Dr. Ortiz also completed an internal medicine residency training program at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. She has published several articles in scientific journals and presented at various meetings. She is at present an investigator in research trials.

Dr. Ortiz specializes in breast malignancies and hematologic disorders. Dr. Ortiz’s goal is to deliver the best care available for her patients by providing personalized treatment planning in conjunction with cutting-edge therapy.

Ortiz Cruz K, Costa J. Population Outcomes of Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era. Blood 2013 122:1743.

Kang Y, Ortiz Cruz K, Abbas J, Stuart R, Costa J. Outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma and renal impairment treated with bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone without plasma exchange. European Journal of Hematology. 2012; 89:432-434.

Ortiz Cruz K, Amog-Jones G, Salvatore Joseph R.Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia with JAK2 gene mutation. Community Oncology 2012; 9(4): 127-131.

Smart DK, Ortiz KL, Mattson D, Bradbury CM, Bisht KS, Sieck LK, Brechbiel MW, Gius D. Thioredoxin reductase as a potential molecular target for anticancer agents that induce oxidative stress. Cancer Res.2004; 64:6716-24.

Bisht KS, Bradbury CM, Mattson D, Kaushal A, Sowers A, Markovina S, Ortiz KL, Sieck LK, Isaacs JS, Brechbiel MW, Mitchell JB, Neckers LM, Gius D. Geldanamycin and 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin potentiate the in vitro and in vivo radiation response of cervical tumor cells via the heat shock protein 90-mediated intracellular signaling and cytotoxicity. Cancer Res.2003; 63:8984-95.

Abstracts/ Presentations

Ortiz Cruz K, Costa, J. (2013, December). Population Outcomes of Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era. Poster Presentation at: American Society of Hematology.

Ortiz Cruz K, (2013, August). Population Outcomes of Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era. Oral Presentation at: South Carolina Oncology Society.

Ortiz Cruz, K, Costa, L, Kang, Y (2012, January). Combination of Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma and Impaired Renal Function: Fast Improvement in Creatinine Clearance and Outcome Similar to Patients with Preserved Renal Function. Poster Presented at: Annual Research day/Medical University of South Carolina.

Ortiz Cruz K, (2009, September). Extensive left sided DVT and bilateral Pulmonary embolism in a young female without previous diagnosis of May-Thurner Syndrome. Poster presented at: American College of Physicians/Annual Meeting; Tucson, AZ.

Internal Medicine Residency Program, Intern of the Month Phoenix, AZ (3/2009)

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, Travel Award and Poster Presentation, Washington DC (2003)

Intramural Research Training Award, NIH/NCI, Bethesda, MD (2002-2004)

American Association of Cancer Research Travel Award and Poster Presentation, Washington DC (2003)

Scholar Honor Award by Major, Cayey, PR (2000)