Dr. Maria C. Velez is a distinguished Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology at LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine – New Orleans. With a robust career in pediatric hematology and oncology, Dr. Velez has made significant contributions to both clinical care and education in her field.

Dr. Velez earned her medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She completed her pediatric residency at the University Pediatric Hospital at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Following her residency, she pursued a Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship at the Pediatric Branch of the National Cancer Institute, NIH, in Bethesda, MD.

Dr. Velez’s career has been marked by her leadership and innovation. From 1996 to 2006, she served as the Associate Fellowship Program Director for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. She was then appointed Program Director, a role she held from 2006 to 2019, during which she shaped the future of pediatric hematology and oncology through her commitment to mentoring and medical education. Additionally, from 2007 to 2019, she served as the Super Fellowship Program Director, organizing and leading Fellowship Program Directors Meetings.

In 2012, Dr. Velez developed the Bleeding Disorders and Thrombophilia Center at Children’s Hospital, initially as the Associate Medical Director and later as the Medical Director from 2016 to the present. Under her leadership, the center, federally funded through a HRSA grant, has been recognized by the CDC as a comprehensive, multidisciplinary Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC). She is an inaugural member of the Foundation for Women and Girls with Blood Disorders Learning Action Network since 2014 and founded the Girls and Adolescents with Blood and Sickle Cell (GABS) Disorders Clinic in 2021, a multidisciplinary clinic in collaboration with Adolescent Medicine and the Sickle Cell Center at Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Velez has also been deeply involved in neuro-oncology, taking care of children, adolescents, and young adults with tumors of the central nervous system (brain and spine). She co-leads the Neuro-Oncology Program at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, further highlighting her commitment to advancing cancer care in this complex field.

Dr. Velez has made substantial contributions to national and international organizations. She has served as Chair of the Diversity and Health Disparities Committee for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) since June 2015. From May 2019 to April 2024, she was a member-at-large on the Executive Board of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) and has been elected as the Vice-President/President Elected of ASPHO since April 2024. Dr. Velez is a member of numerous national committees, grant reviewing and guidelines groups, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Subcommittee of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, and the NCI Equity and Inclusion & Social Determinants of Health.

In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Velez has an extensive record of scholarly activities, including over 40 peer-reviewed articles, 5 book chapters, and more than 90 abstracts. She has secured several grants for clinical and translational research, underscoring her commitment to advancing the field through both investigation and practical application.

Dr. Velez’s extensive experience, leadership, and dedication to her field have profoundly impacted pediatric hematology and oncology. Her unwavering commitment to providing excellent hematological and oncological care extends beyond her local community and state to a regional and national level. She has been a proactive advocate in overcoming barriers to healthcare access and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within her subspecialty, striving to improve outcomes for all children, adolescents, and young adults in need of specialized care.