Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
MaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Ross C. Donehower
Professional Titles
- Director, Medical Oncology/Hematology Fellowship Training Program
- Director, Division of Medical Oncology
- Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Clinical Investigation of Cancer
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Oncology
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Dr. Ross C. Donehower is an oncologist in the Baltimore area, caring for patients with gastrointestinal cancers. He was part of the team that developed premedications that allowed paclitaxel — a chemotherapy medication now used to treat several types of cancers — to be safely given to patients. The Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor in Clinical Investigation of Cancer, he serves as the director of the Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship Program and director of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Dr. Donehower received his undergraduate degree from Hamline University and earned his M.D. from the University of Minnesota. He completed his residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Donehower joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 1980.
Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, Dr. Donehower was a surgeon with the U.S. Public Health Service and a clinical associate of the medicine branch and clinical pharmacology branch at the National Cancer Institute.
His research interests include gastrointestinal cancers, new anticancer drug development and pharmacology.
Dr. Donehower serves on the editorial boards of numerous scholarly journals, including the International Journal of Oncology. He has been recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology with a 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association for Cancer Research.
Centers and Institutes
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Medicine
Research Interests
Gastrointestinal Cancers, New Anticancer Drug Development, Pharmacology
Selected Publications
Le DT, Durham JN, Smith KN, Wang H, Bartlett BR, Aulakh LK, Lu S, Kemberling H, Wilt C, Luber BS, Wong F, Azad NS, Rucki AA, Laheru D, Donehower R, Zaheer A, Fisher GA, Crocenzi TS, Lee JJ, Greten TF, Duggy AG, Ciombor KK, Eyring AD, Lam BH, Joe A, Kang SP, Holdhofff M, Danilova L, Cope L, Meyer C, Zhou S, Goldberg RM, Armstrong DK, Bever KM, Fader AN, Taub J, Housseau F, Spetzler D, Xiao N, Pardoll DM, Papadopoulos N, Kinzler KW Exhleman JR, Vogelstein B, Anders RA, Diaz LA Jr. “Mismatch repair deficiency predicts response of solid tumors to PD-1 blockade.” Science. 2017;357(6349):409-413
Naik RP, Marrone K, Merrill S, Donehower R, Brodsky R. “Single-board hematology fellowship track: A 10-year institutional experience.” Blood. 2018;131(4):462-464
Reiss KA, Rangachari D, Cosgrove D, Wilky B, Donehower R. “Growing pains: A simulation-based curriculum for improving the transition to hematology/oncology fellowship.” J Cancer Educ. 2017;32(3):496-502
Shrestha B, Sun Y, Faisal F, Kim V, Soares K, Blair A, Herman JM, Narang A, Dholakia AS, Rosati L, Hacker-Prietz A, Chen L, Laheru, DA, DeJesus-Acosta A, Le DT, Donehower R, Azad N, Diaz LA, Murphy A, Lee V, Fishman EK, Hruban RH, Liang T, Cameron JL, Makary M, Weiss MJ, Ahuja N, He J, Wolfgang CL, Huang CY, Zheng L. “Long-term survival benefit of upfront chemotherapy in patients with newly diagnosed borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.” Cancer Med. 2017;6(7):1552-1562
Yarchoan M, Myzak MC, Johnson BA 3rd, De Jesus-Acosta A, Le DT, Jaffee EM, Azad NS, Donehower RC, Zheng L, Oberstein PE, Fine RL, Laheru DA, Goggins M. “Olaparib in combination with irinotecan, cisplatin, and mitomycin C in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.” Oncotarget. 2017 Jul 4;8(27):44073-44081
Honors
- Excellence in Teaching Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 1/1/17
- Director's Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins Cancer Center, 1/1/16
- Member, Miller-Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 1/1/15
Memberships
- American College of Physicians
- American Society of Clinical Oncology
- American Association for Cancer Research
- European Society of Medical Oncology
Professional Activities
- Clinical Cancer Research, Editorial Board, 1/1/94
- International Journal of Oncology, Editorial Board, 1/1/02
- Investigational New Drugs, Editorial Board, 1/1/98
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Faculty Senate, 1/1/19
- Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Associate Editor, 1/1/94
- The Oncologist, Associate Editor, 1/1/96
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10803 Falls Road, Pavilion III STE 1500, Lutherville, MD 21093
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-583-2970
- fax: 410-583-2980
- Skip Viragh Outpatient Cancer Center
- 201 North Broadway Street, Viragh BLDG 5th FL, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 410-955-8964
- fax: 410-367-2194
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: National Institutes of Health, Medical Oncology, 1980
- Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine, 1976
- Medical Education: University of Minnesota Medical School, MD, 1974
Board Certifications
- Medical Oncology: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1979
- Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine, 1977
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
5 out of 5
83 ratings, 46 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/14/2026
Very knowledgeable and caring
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/10/2026
Exceptional preparation for the consultation with me followed by confirmation of my treatment plan and possibilities related to participation in medical trials.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/8/2026
Dr Donehower is a great doctor. He listens, is compassionate and very knowledgeable!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/7/2026
Dr. Donehower was excellent. He carefully explained everything concerning my cancer and answered all my questions. He was very kind and compassionate and for the first time feel hopeful about my health. He was so wonderful my wife keeps referring to him as Dr. Marcus Welby.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/7/2026
Dr. Donehower goes above & beyond to provide excellent care & exceeds all expectations.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/31/2026
Excellent!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/27/2026
Very pleased with Doctor Donehower attention to details and his positive attitude during my visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/25/2026
Dr, Donehower is knowledgeable and caring.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/24/2026
I have a great appreciation for Dr Donehower and how he has cared for me from the beginning of my visits to Hopkins
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/17/2026
Very thoughtful, throurough and listened to concerns
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/17/2026
All was great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/10/2026
The best provider I can wish for to care and follow-up with me on my health. Thank you Dr. Donehower!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
My visit was a really good experience. It was very informative and professional. The person was both empathetic and knowledgeable. I was glad that I was able to have the appointment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
Easy to understand
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/3/2026
Excelent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/13/2026
Dr. Donehower is simply the best. Amazing bedside manner too.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/6/2026
Very responsive and knowledgeable. Am grateful for the medical care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/30/2025
Best doctor , healer
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/30/2025
The provider was professional, compassionate, and communicative. I felt heard and supported throughout the encounter.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2025
Everyone was courteous and respectful. Everyone was wonderful and listening.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/12/2025
He's great great great
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/9/2025
Excellent care and service
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/9/2025
Both Dr. Donehower and [staff] listened to me and had spent time reviewing my records and said they would come up with a plan after my test results were back.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/21/2025
The best.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/29/2025
Concerned, caring, attentive
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/21/2025
Dr. Donehower made my path through the journey of treating my illness and follow-ups as pleasant as it can be. Thank you.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/10/2025
Outstanding.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2025
Excellent doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2025
Dr Donehower is a great physician. I am so pleased he is my oncologist!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/3/2025
The doctor, his assistant and the nurse were excellent in all areas. My daughter and I were grateful to experience and learn from these superb and caring persons.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/23/2025
Good visit
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/12/2025
Dr. Donehower is a wonderful caring doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2025
Dr Donehower is a brilliant Dr. He makes sure he covers all aspect of the care and treatment needed and goes out of his way to educate me as a patient so that I understand by medical situation as well as interpret any test results. He is an amazing oncologist who demonstrates not only clinical expertise but also compassion and sincerity for his patients. He Is a example of what a great Doctor should be.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/2/2025
What a great doctor! Excellent work!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Outstanding!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/5/2025
Easy to talk to.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/29/2025
Dr. Donehower is always professional, courteous & kind. He is an earnest listener & responder. I have full confidence in him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/22/2025
Dr. Donehower has the wealth of information and care any patient would wish to have as her/his physician. Thank you JH for having him!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/1/2025
Thank you for your excellent customer service! The compassion, empathy and support make this challenging journey a lot easier!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/20/2025
Dr. Was very knowledgeable and helpful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/30/2025
Awesome
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2025
Everything was so kind and helpful. Dr Ross Donehower Answered all my questions. Thank you so much.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/23/2025
Outstanding physician care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/21/2025
Dr Donehower is excellent and always explains everything well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/20/2025
Excellent care