Brittany Watson

Dr Mikhael is a Professor in the Clinical Genomics and Therapeutics Division at the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope Cancer Center. He is also the Director of Myeloma research at the HonorHealth Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr Mikhael specializes clinically in plasma cell disorders, namely multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. He is the PI of many clinical trials, primarily in relapsed multiple myeloma, and his other clinical research interests include pharmaco-economics, communication skills, and media relations.

Dr. Mikhael recently served as the Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) from 2018 to 2026 – he now serves as Medical Advisor to the IMF to provide guidance and strategic input in areas such as patient education, health disparities, collaboration with partners, international research, and publications.

Dr Mikhael has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles in these fields and lectures internationally on a regular basis. Dr. Mikhael is deeply committed to health disparities in myeloma and is the chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council at TGen. Dr. Mikhael is heavily involved in training future researchers and mentors junior faculty worldwide. Dr. Mikhael is an active member of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) and recently led the ASCO guidelines in myeloma. Dr. Mikhael also serves as the Treasurer on the executive of the American Society of Hematology.

Dr. Brittany Watson is a board-certified family physician. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Clemson University and obtained her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. Following her medical education, Dr. Watson completed a family medicine residency at Carolinas Medical Center, where she served as chief resident.

With a passion for public health, Dr. Watson pursued further education, earning a Master of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also completed the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University, enhancing her expertise in addressing healthcare disparities.

Currently, Dr. Watson serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Additionally, she contributes to healthcare policy and practice as an Associate Medical Director Consultant for North Carolina Medicaid.

Dr. Watson is actively involved in collaborative initiatives. She is a faculty affiliate at Harvard Medical School’s Center for Primary Care and an Ariadne Labs associate faculty member. Her work focuses on strengthening the healthcare workforce, expanding affordable healthcare access, and enhancing the quality of care for all communities.