The dedicated CHoR physician is known for her expert patient care, clinical leadership and commitment to the future of pediatric medicine through research and mentorship.
Following a highly competitive national search, India Sisler, MD, has been appointed division chief of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology effective April 1, 2026.
Dr. Sisler joined the faculty at CHoR in 2009. In her 17-year career here, she has become a nationally recognized clinician and leader with deep expertise in pediatric hematology/oncology. Her particular areas of expertise include sickle cell disease, care transitions, quality improvement and multidisciplinary program development.
“Dr. Sisler has served with distinction as interim division chief since August 2023, and I am pleased she will continue to lead and advance this critical division in a permanent capacity,” said Dr. Karen Hendricks-Muñoz, CHoR physician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at VCU School of Medicine. “We are grateful for her dedication to patients, learners, faculty and staff, and we look forward to her continued leadership and vision for the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.”
Dr. Sisler, an associate professor of pediatrics, also has served as director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Program since 2009 and as clinical director for the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology since 2015, playing a central role in expanding access to high-quality, comprehensive care for children and adolescents across Central Virginia.
Devoted to paving the way for improved pediatric care in the years to come
In addition to patient care and leadership, Dr. Sisler is actively involved in clinical research, with sustained funding from the National Institutes of Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Health Resources & Services Administration, Virginia Department of Health and industry partners. She also has served as site principal investigator or co-investigator on numerous multi-center clinical trials and studies evaluating and comparing the effectiveness of medical interventions, including national initiatives focused on hydroxyurea adherence, pediatric-to-adult care transitions and patient-reported outcomes in sickle cell disease. Her scholarship includes more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and presentations, with recent work published in JAMA, Blood, British Journal of Haematology, Pediatric Blood & Cancer and other leading journals.
Dr. Sisler is also impacting the future of medicine through a deep commitment to education and mentorship. She has served as a primary research or quality improvement mentor for pediatric residents, fellows, junior faculty and trainees across disciplines. She will continue to serve as vice chair for faculty development in the Department of Pediatrics and chair of the department’s Standing Promotion and Tenure Committee.
At the national level, Dr. Sisler holds leadership roles with the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and the Globin Research Network for Data and Discovery and is widely recognized for her contributions to professional development and workforce advancement.