Joseph M. Cleveland, MD

Dr. Joseph Cleveland is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCLA Health who specializes in medical oncology and hematology, caring for patients in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero. He also serves as the Medical Laboratory Director of UCLA Health Atascadero Cancer Care. Dr. Cleveland treats patients with all types of cancer and both malignant and benign hematologic disorders and is board certified in Medical Oncology, Hematology, and Internal Medicine. A diagnosis of cancer is a truly vulnerable and uncertain moment in life, and he is a firm believer in placing compassion, humanism, and each patient's quality of life at the forefront of care. Personal experiences with cancer among his own family and friends inspired him to pursue his calling as a cancer physician from a young age, and he approaches every patient with the same empathy and dedication he would want for his own family.

Originally a native of Central California, Dr. Cleveland spent the latter half of his life in Texas, where he earned his medical degree from Texas A&M University College of Medicine and was inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of California, San Francisco, where he received the Residency Humanism in Medicine Award. He then completed fellowship training in Medical Oncology and Hematology at Stanford University, where he served as Chief Fellow and received the Fellowship Humanism Award. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from The University of Texas at Austin.

Prior to joining UCLA Health, Dr. Cleveland conducted basic, translational, and clinical research at UCSF and Stanford University, spanning hematologic malignancies, including B- and T-cell lymphomas, as well as a broad range of solid tumors, including brain, lung, breast, gastrointestinal, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, and sarcomas. His research also encompassed cancer immunotherapy, cellular therapies, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, with findings presented at national and international scientific conferences. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. He has a strong interest in expanding access to clinical trials for patients with all types of cancer, particularly by bringing innovative therapies and research opportunities to community oncology practices. His academic interests also include translating scientific discoveries from bench to bedside, leveraging artificial intelligence and biodesign to develop innovative applications that empower patients to better navigate the complexities of cancer care, and advancing technology-driven solutions that improve the patient experience. Dr. Cleveland is also passionate about medical education and enjoys mentoring fellows, medical students, and undergraduate students interested in medicine and oncology. He regularly delivers didactic lectures and educational sessions and is committed to fostering the next generation of physicians and physician-scientists.

Dr. Cleveland is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Outside of medicine, Dr. Cleveland enjoys spending time with his wife while doing his best to keep up with their two high-energy toddler boys and one decidedly more mellow beagle. He also enjoys competing in Ironman triathlons, surfing, cycling, hiking, weightlifting, scuba diving, cooking, architecture and design, and exploring California's Central Coast.