About the Chair

John C. Byrd, MD, is an internationally known researcher and clinical specialist in leukemia and other hematologic malignancies who now serves as the Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Cincinnati. He holds the Gordon and Helen Hughes Taylor Chair. Dr. Byrd was previously at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute where he served as Senior Advisor for Cancer Experimental Therapeutics and Distinguished University Professor. Outside of the University of Cincinnati, he is a principal and Chief Medical Officer of Beat AML, an LLC of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Dr. Byrd received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  His education continued in internal medicine and hematology and oncology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University before moving to Columbus to join the faculty at Ohio State.
Dr. Byrd has over 600 publications in the area of leukemia and experimental therapeutics research.  He runs a highly translational laboratory focused on CLL and drug development in hematologic malignancies. He has been part of the successful development of multiple therapeutics in acute myeloid leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Despite his passion for clinical and translational research, Dr. Byrd’s favorite day is Tuesdays, when he spends eight to twelve hours in the clinic providing care for patients. He receives continuous support from his wife Laura and two sons. He is a passionate University of Arkansas football fan, but already has purchased season tickets for UC Bearcat football games and looks forward to a UC National Championship. In his spare time, he enjoys freshwater fishing.