Josaura S. Fernandez, MD
- Cancer and Blood Disorders
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
Office location:
Texas Medical Center
6701 Fannin Street
Houston, TX 77030
Get to know Josaura S. Fernandez, MD
Dr. Josaura Fernandez Sanchez is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Hematology-Oncology and a Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. She provides comprehensive care to children and young adults with malignant and non-malignant conditions requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Dr. Fernandez Sanchez has specialized expertise in bone marrow transplantation for non-malignant disorders, including primary immune regulatory disorders, inherited immune deficiencies, familial HLH, and metabolic diseases. She also cares for patients undergoing cellular and emerging gene-based therapies, with a clinical focus on optimizing transplant strategies and long-term outcomes in these complex populations.
Her research program integrates clinical outcomes research and translational science. She is particularly interested in:
- Outcomes of pediatric HSCT for primary immune regulatory disorders
- The impact of ethnic and healthcare disparities on HSCT outcomes as well as access to care, complications, and survival
- Transplantation and cellular therapy for inherited metabolic disorders
- The role of the intestinal microbiome in hematopoiesis, immune recovery after HSCT and overall HSCT outcomes
Dr. Fernandez Sanchez has led and collaborated on translational microbiome research funded by the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and has published extensively on microbiome-hematopoiesis interactions, transplant complications, and quality improvement initiatives. She is actively developing outcomes-focused research in pediatric HSCT populations at Texas Children’s Hospital.
She is committed to delivering equitable, evidence-based, and culturally responsive care while advancing research that improves outcomes for children requiring stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.
Clinical Interests
- Pediatric stem cell transplantation (malignant and non-malignant)
- Primary immune regulatory disorders and primary immune deficiencies
- Familial HLH
- Metabolic disorders treated with HSCT
- Cellular therapy and emerging gene therapies
- Transplant-related complications and survivorship
- Impact of ethnic and healthcare disparities in transplant outcomes
- Influence of the intestinal microbiome on hematopoiesis and immune recovery after HSCT
Education
| School | Education | Degree | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine | Fellowship | Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation | 2024 |
| Baylor College of Medicine | Fellowship | Pediatric Hematology-Oncology | 2023 |
| Holtz Children's Hospital, Jackson Health System / University of Miami | Residency | Pediatrics | 2020 |
| Universidad Central de Venezuela, Escuela de Medicina Jose Maria Vargas | Medical School | Doctor of Medicine | 2013 |
Organizations
| Organization Name | Role |
|---|---|
| American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) | Member |
| American Medical Association (AMA) | Member |
| American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) | Member |
| American Society of Hematology (ASH) | Member |
| American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) | Member |
| Children’s Oncology Group (COG) | Member |
Board Certifications
| Title |
|---|
| American Board of Pediatrics |
| American Board of Pediatrics - Pediatric Hematology/Oncology |
Honors and awards
- 2024
-
Quality Improvement Champion, American Society of Hematology (ASH)
- 2024
-
Quality Award, Texas Children's Hospital, Cancer and Hematology Center
* Texas Children’s Hospital physicians’ licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician’s office and were not verified by Texas Children’s Hospital.
Highlights
Research Area:
Histiocytosis
Bone Marrow Transplant / Stem Cell Transplant
Immune Hematology
Cell and Gene Therapy