Robert Collins, M.D.

Robert Collins, M.D.

  • Sydney and J.L. Huffines Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research in Honor of Eugene Frenkel, M.D.
  • H. Lloyd and Willye V. Skaggs Professorship in Medical Research
  • Internal Medicine - Hematology/Oncology
  • Bone Marrow Transplant
  • Leukemia Treatment

Biography

Robert H. Collins Jr., M.D., FACP, is a Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of its Division of Hematology and Oncology. He serves as Director of both the Blood Cancers / Transplant and Cellular Therapies Program and the Combined Adult/Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program.

He holds the Sydney and J.L. Huffines Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research in Honor of Eugene Frenkel, M.D., and is the R. Lloyd and Willye V. Skaggs Professor in Medical Research.

A recognized leader in the field of adoptive immunotherapy, Dr. Collins specializes in blood and marrow transplantation and hematologic malignancies such as leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, and myelodysplasia.

Dr. Collins earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, as well as a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University of California at Los Angeles.

Board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology, Dr. Collins has 25 years of experience in bone marrow transplantation and has participated in some 2,500 autologous and allogeneic transplants.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of numerous scientific and medical organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

Dr. Collins has led studies of donor leukocyte infusions through an international network of more than 100 centers. He continues to lead an active program of phase I-III clinical trials investigating novel approaches to hematologic malignancies and blood and marrow transplantation.

He has been named a U.S.News & World Report Best Doctor, and is listed in Best Doctors in America, and Texas Monthly Super Doctors. He was included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list for 2020, 2021, and 2022. 

Dr. Collins is a recipient of the John J. Kenny Award from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and has been honored with a number of other recognitions.

Meet Dr. Collins

Blood and Marrow Transplant Specialist

Leukemia patients, including those who require lifesaving bone marrow transplants, have more treatment options than ever, says hematologist/oncologist Robert Collins Jr., M.D., FACP.

“We have our patients' best interests at heart."

A specialist in leukemia, lymphoma, and blood and marrow transplantation, Dr. Collins leads the Hematologic Malignancies/Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and the combined Adult/Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“The field is just exploding – from our understanding of its scientific underpinnings to the therapies we can offer patients – and it’s only getting better,” he says.

Dr. Collins treats patients with all types of leukemia – from the most common and straightforward cases to the rarest and most complex – as well as those with other hematologic malignancies and bone marrow diseases, including lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloma, and aplastic anemia.

A noted expert in his field, Dr. Collins has since the late 1980s helped to develop the treatment known as adoptive immunotherapy, which involves manipulating a donor’s immune system so that it attacks cancer cells. He has led an international network in studies of adoptive immunotherapy, and he applies the approach daily in his clinical practice.

More recently, Dr. Collins has been involved in development of new molecular-targeted leukemia therapies based on recent insights into leukemia biology.

From caring for patients to conducting research, Dr. Collins finds all aspects of his work gratifying.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see the dignity with which the patients face their illnesses,” he says. “It’s an honor to be able to work side-by-side with them to come up with the best possible treatments.”

As Director of the Hematologic Malignancies/Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Dr. Collins is proud that UT Southwestern offers the best care in the area for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and myelomas.  

“We have a team of highly talented, dedicated people in a highly complicated field – and I'm proud of the work we do here every day.” 

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Education & Training
  • Medical School - University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine (1980-1984)
  • Fellowship - UCLA (1987-1989), Hematology Oncology
  • Residency - Baylor University Medical Center (1984-1987), Internal Medicine
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2020-2022
  • University of Missouri-Kansas Deans List for All Undergraduate Semesters, St. Louis Friends of the UMKC School of Medicine Basic Science Award
  • University of Missouri-Kansas Flarscheim Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • University of Missouri-Kansas Curator’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence
  • The Best Doctors in America
  • Fellow of the American College of Physicians
Books & Publications
Research
  • Non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation
  • Immunology of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantations
  • Adoptive immunotherapy

Clinical Focus

  • Bone Marrow Transplant
  • Leukemia Treatment
  • Lymphoma Treatment
  • Myeloma Treatment
  • Malignant Hematology
  • Medical Treatment of Blood Cancers

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Dr. Collins discusses his approach to patient care.