Seema

Harichand-Herdt

MD

Dr. Seema Harichand-Herdt is a double board-certified Hematologist and Medical Oncologist whose practice is rooted in the belief that the best medicine is delivered with both a sharp scientific mind and a compassionate heart. As a physician at Mission Cancer + Blood and Co-President of the Iowa Oncology Research Association, she bridges the gap between groundbreaking research and personalized patient care.

Dr. Harichand-Herdt’s philosophy of care centers on the "whole person," ensuring that patients feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their journey. She is deeply committed to improving the patient experience, which led her to write and open an investigator-initiated trial focused on preventing treatment-related side effects, such as neuropathy, to improve the quality of life for those undergoing chemotherapy. For Dr. Harichand-Herdt, oncology is not just about treating a disease; it is about providing a supportive partnership that prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of her patients.

Driven by a desire to provide her patients with every possible advantage, Dr. Harichand-Herdt has focused much of her career on cancer research with a particular interest in breast cancer. Her work ensures that the patients she treats have access to the most promising new therapies:

• Leadership in Innovation: She has served for many years on the Breast Program Leadership Committee at John Stoddard Cancer Center, helping to shape high-level standards for breast cancer care. 
• Research Advocacy: She has served as the Site Principal Investigator for numerous breast cancer clinical trials, bringing the latest therapeutic breakthroughs from the lab to the clinic. 
• Scientific Contribution: Her research has been published in esteemed journals such as Clinical Breast Cancer and Cancers, and she has co-authored several book chapters on targeted endocrine therapies for breast cancer.

Distinguished Background

• Specialized Training: Completed her Hematology and Oncology Fellowship and Internal Medicine Residency at Emory University School of Medicine.
• Medical Education: Earned her Medical Degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine. 
• Academic Honors: Graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University and is a recipient of the AACR/ASCO Scholarship for her work in clinical cancer research.

Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Dr. Harichand-Herdt is married with three grown children. She finds her own balance through exercise, travel, reading and cherishing time with her family.