Meghan A. Higman MD, PhD

Meghan Higman

Meghan A. Higman
MD, PhD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Department of Pediatrics

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Pediatric Hematology-Oncology; Pediatrics

Contact Information
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Department of Pediatrics
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, New York 14263
Phone: (716) 845-2333
Fax: (716) 845-8003
mhigman@buffalo.edu


Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

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Professional Summary:

My name is Meghan Higman and I am a Pediatrician who treats children, adolescents and young adults who have blood disorders and cancers. This includes care for children with illnesses such as anemia, platelet problems, white blood cell abnormalities, bleeding disorders as well as cancers such as leukemias, lymphomas and other cancers. Together with our talented team, we care for the children of Western New York at John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital (OCH) and at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC).

I focus my research and a majority of my clinical work on the care of patients who need a stem cell transplant to cure their disease. While we continue to make great strides in the care of young people with cancer and other disorders of the blood, some are cured only by replacing their bone marrow and immune cells with new cells from donors. We work as a team to limit complications while curing their disease.

My interests include supporting the whole patient and family through this experience. This includes with the assistance of our excellent psychosocial team, patients are brought through the transplant process. Patients are enrolled on clinical trials when possible to provide State of the Art therapy.

I work to teach the next generation of physicians through my teaching of the medical students of the Univ. Of Buffalo, residents in pediatrics and other specialties and fellows as well. Modeling a team approach with the child and the family at the center of our care.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2001)
  • Residency, Pediatrics, Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (1998)
  • Internship, Pediatrics, Children‘s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (1996)
  • MD, Medicine, University at Buffalo, Magna Cum Laude (1995)
  • PhD, Biochemistry, University at Buffalo, Magna Cum Laude (1995)
  • BA, Chemistry, Niagara University, Summa Cum Laude (1986)
  • BS, Biology, Niagara University, Summa Cum Laude (1986)

Employment:

  • Assistant Professor, Pediatric Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2006-present)
  • Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Oishei Children's Hospital (2006-present)
  • Attending Physician, Hematology/Oncology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (2006-present)
  • Clinical Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2006-present)
  • Fellowship Program Director, Hematology/Oncology, University at Buffalo (2010–2018)
  • Assistant Professor, Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2001–2006)
  • Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2001–2006)

Awards and Honors:

  • Top Doctor (2023)
  • Top Doctors in Western New York (2022)
  • Outstanding Female Graduate (2004)
  • Mid-Atlantic Task Team Recognition for Outstanding Medical Team Leadership (2003)
  • Erwin Neter Award (1993)
  • Father Dana Duggan Award (1986)
  • Niagara University: Dr. Thomas H. Morton Medal for Excellence in Biology (1986)
  • Exceptional Women in Medicine (2018-2023)
  • Top Doctors in Western New York (2013-2018)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • July 2014–June 2015
    Early administration of intravenous antibiotics for pediatric oncology patients with fever
    Univ. of Buffalo
    Role: Contributor
  • September 2012–September 2014
    Bone marrow transplant for solid tumors
    Hyundai Hope on Wheels
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $75,000
  • January 2003–January 2008
    Children's Oncology Group
    NCI
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • July 2002–June 2007
    Lymspoma SPORE
    NCI
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • April 2002–March 2007
    Adult Hodgkins Disease and Epstein-Barr Virus
    NCI
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • March 2003–December 2006
    Ex vivo expanded cord blood cells
    NCI
    Role: Co-Investigator
  • December 2004–November 2006
    Transplantation of expanded and unexpanded cord blood units following myeloablative chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies
    CCF
    Role: Principal Investigator
  • June 2001–June 2003
    A Strategy to prevent EBV lymphoma in a high-risk population
    Cure for Lymphoma
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $105,000

Patents:

  • IND Number BB-IND 10049 Autologous EBV+ Lymphoblastoid Cell Line Treated with Synthetic Psorlen (S-59) and Ultraviolet A Light

Journal Articles:

See all (12 more)

Books and Book Chapters:

  • Fung HC, Higman MA, van Besien K. (2006) Stem Cell Transplantation. In: American Society of Hematology Self-Assessment Program 3rd edition. Wiley-Blackwell
  • Higman MA. (2004) In: "Leukemias and Lymphomas". Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
  • Vogelsang G, Huff CA, Higman MA. (2004) Stem Cell Transplantation. In: American Society of Hematology Self-Assessment Program, 2nd edition. Wiley-Blackwell

Abstracts:

  • Fabrizio V, Boulad F, Cancio MI, Higman MA, Margossian SP, Mauguen A, Prockop S, Scaradavou A, Shah NC, Spitzer B, Yeager N, Kernan NA, O‘Reilly R, Jan Boelens J, Curran KJ. (2019) Allogeneic CD34-Selected HSCT Following CAR T-Cells Is Associated with Low TRM and Favorable OS in Pediatric/Young Adult Patients with Relapsed/Refractory B-ALL. Blood, (Nov) 4582-4582
  • Liu H, Hahn T, Wilding G, Groman A, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Ross M, Chen GL, McCarthy PL. (2011) Fludarabine, Melphalan and Low Dose Total Body Irradiation for Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Prior to Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (AlloHCT). Blood, (Nov) 4570-4570
  • Hepgur M, Saito NG, Hahn T, Starostik P, Wallace P, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Dubel K, McCarthy PL, Khan A, Battiwalla M. (2010) Atypical Presentation of Vaginal GvHD with Multiple Abdominal Pain Crisis. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant, (Feb) S315-S315
  • Hepgur M, Saito NG, Hahn T, Starostik P, Wallace P, Bambach BJ, Higman MA, Dubel K, McCarthy PL, Battiwalla M. (2010) Early Complete Donor Lymphoid Chimerism with Fludarabine, Melphalan and Low Dose (400CGY) Total Body Irradiation Reduced Intensity Conditioning. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant, (Feb) S291-S291
  • Horton TM, Sheehan AN, Lopez-Terrada D, Hutchison RE, Narendra S, Higman MA, Wu M-F, Liu H. (2008) Coordinate Regulation of NF-B Subunit Expression in EBV Negative, but Not EBV Positive, Pediatric Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Blood, (Nov)
  • Higman MA, Schwartz CL, Chen L, Chen AR, Freidman D, Hutchinson R, Kahwash SB, Orr C, Ambinder RF. (2008) Epstein Barr Viral DNA in the Serum of Children and Adolescents with Hodgkin Disease and Early Response to Chemotherapy. J Clin Oncol, (May)
  • Mitchell S, Reeve B, Cowen E, Fall-Dickson J, Gilbert L, Guadagnini JP, Robinson M, Turner M, Willis G, Schubert M, Bolanos-Meade J, Higman MA, Jacobsohn D, Thormann K, Vogelsang G, Pavletic S. (2005) Feasibility and Reproducibility of the New NIH Consensus Criteria to Evaluate Response in Chronic GVHD - A Pilot Study. Blood, (Nov)
  • Bolanos-Meade J, Jacobsohn D, Anders V, Higman MA, Chen A, Phelps M, Vogelsang GB. (2005) Pentostatin Steroid-Refractory Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease. Blood, (Nov)
  • Jacobsohn D, Browning B, Thormann K, Higman MA, Phelps ML, Chen AR, Vogelsang GB. (2004) Pentostatin: Efficacy in Refractory Chronic GVHD in Children. Blood, (Nov)

Professional Memberships:

  • Pediatric Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Consortium (2001–present)
  • Childrens Oncology Group (2001–present)

Presentations:

  • "Design Cancer Therapies: An Overview of Targeted Cancer Therapy" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2012)
  • "Cord Blood: Should We Save the Baby‘s Cord Blood?" Pediatric Grand Rounds; University at Buffalo (2008)
  • "Neuroblastoma" Pediatric Surgery Teaching Conference; Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo (2007)
  • "Cord Blood Transplantation - The Ins and Outs of Talking to Parents" Pediatric Trends; Johns Hopkins University (2005)
  • "Lymphadenopathy in Children and Adolescents" Pediatric Trends; Johns Hopkins University (2002)

Service Activities:

  • Niagara Falls ‘Miracle’ Baby Beats Aggressive Leukemia After Successful CAR-T Cancer Immunotherapy in Buffalo; Primary Stem Cell Transplanter (2020–present)
  • Strategic Plan - Engagement Committee; Co-Physician lead (2020–present)
  • Burn Out Committee Peds Heme/Onc (2018–2020)
  • RPCI IRB III Chair; Chair (2016–present)
  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Institutional Review Board III; Co-Chair (2008–2016)
  • Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center: Institutional Review Board III; Board Member (2007–present)
  • Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Committee for Hematology/Oncology Center of Excellence; Committee Member (2006–present)
  • University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellows Conference; Advisor (2001–2006)
  • Johns Hopkins University: Oncology Diversity Action Council; Member (2001–2006)
  • Women and Children‘s Hospital of Buffalo: Pediatric Oncology Performance Improvement Committee; Committee Member (2000–2006)
  • Camp Sunrise; Director (1999–2005)
  • Children Oncology Group AHOD 0031 A Phase III Study of Dose-Intensive, Response-Based Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Newly Diagnosed Intermediate Risk Hodgkins Disease; Committee Member
  • Children‘s Oncology Group: Hodgkins Disease Steering Committee; Committee Member
  • Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan of Maryland End of Life Committee; Committee Member
  • Hodgkin‘s Disease Biology and Banking Subcommittee; Committee Member
  • American Board of Pediatric, Question of the Week; Early Reviewer
  • UBMD Pediatrics Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion UBMD Pediatrics (2022- ); member
  • NCCN Histiocytic Neoplasms Panel; Member
  • RITN Tabletop exercise (2019); Pediatric Representative
  • Childrens Oncology Group AHOD04B1 Hodgkin Disease (HD) Banking Trial; Study Chair

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Contact Information

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Department of Pediatrics
Elm and Carlton Streets
Buffalo, New York 14263
Phone: (716) 845-2333
Fax: (716) 845-8003
mhigman@buffalo.edu

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD