Meet Dr. Cortas
Tania Cortas, MD, CPE, joined City of Hope® Cancer Center Phoenix in November 2023 as a Medical Oncologist, primarily serving patients at City of Hope Cancer Care Tatum Ridge. Triple board certified in internal medicine, hematology and clinical oncology, she’s developed a wide range of experience in treating patients with all types of malignancies since completing her postgraduate training, with particular expertise in treating breast, thoracic and gastrointestinal cancers as well as both benign and malignant hematologic conditions. Phoenix Magazine has included her in its Top Doctors list four times.
Dr. Cortas’ calling as a physician combines her passions for science and for helping people. She’s especially excited about leveraging the tools of precision medicine whenever possible, tailoring qualifying patients’ care plans to their tumors’ specific genetic profile by matching them to treatments known to be effective in targeting relevant markers. She also helps qualifying patients enroll in clinical trials if they meet specific criteria, providing access to leading-edge therapeutic protocols before they’re widely available. Ultimately, Dr. Cortas commits herself to improving quality of life for every patient in her care and has a deep interest in supporting patients throughout survivorship after treatment.
"Making a difference in someone’s life is special. It’s essential to extend the type of compassion that makes the cancer journey as easy as possible for each patient, while customizing care to the unique qualities of each person and each cancer."
Dr. Cortas earned her medical degree from the American University of Beirut in Lebanon before completing an internal medicine residency and a fellowship in hematology and oncology at the University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. During her fellowship, she was part of a research team investigating the molecular mechanisms behind lung cancer. A seasoned clinical scientist, Dr. Cortas has also served as principal investigator of 10 studies advancing protocols for addressing breast cancer, lung cancer and side effects of treatment.
Fluent in French and Arabic, she’s been serving the Phoenix area as a medical oncologist since 2011, previously as a staff physician at an area oncology group. Dr. Cortas has also been an attending physician in hematology and oncology at the Cleveland Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center and Case Western University, where she served as director of the multidisciplinary lung cancer program and the inpatient oncology unit. Active in her clinical community, she’s a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology and the American Association for Physician Leadership.
“I love practicing oncology,” she says. “I love how you are always learning. I love the human connection and helping people through their journeys.”
Outside of City of Hope, Dr. Cortas loves spending time with her husband and children and enjoys exercise and the outdoors. She looks for ways to benefit her community, especially through involvement in organizations that raise funds to fight cancer.
Location
City of Hope Tatum Ridge Outpatient Care Center
11209 N. Tatum Blvd., Suite B200
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Specialties
Medical Oncology
Education
Medical school: American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine, Beirut, Lebanon
Residency: Internal Medicine - University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Fellowship: Hematology and Oncology - University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Certifications
Internal Medicine - American Board of Internal Medicine
Clinical Oncology - American Board of Internal Medicine
Hematology - American Board of Internal Medicine
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