Accepting new patients

Ronan Swords, MD., Ph.D., FRCPI, FRCPath

Accepting new patients

  • Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology, School of Medicine

Specialty

  • Cancer

Clinical focus

  • Hematologic Malignancies
  • Hematology
  • Leukemia
  • Oncology

Locations and contact

I see patients at
Modern building on a clear day with the tram in the background.
Center for Health & Healing, Building 2
503-494-8311
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About me

Dr. Swords received his medical degree from the National University of Ireland, Galway, in 2000. He completed fellowship training in hematology with the Royal College of Pathology, London (2008). He then pursed additional fellowship training in experimental therapeutics at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, followed by his PhD thesis which focused on post translational modification pathways in AML. In 2012, he joined the University of Miami to lead the adult leukemia program at that institution. In 2018, he moved to AbbVie Pharmaceuticals as a medical director, where he supported the development of venetoclax in myeloid malignancies.

Dr. Swords is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCPI) and the Royal College of Pathologists London (FRCPath). He has published over 150 peer reviewed manuscripts and abstracts in the area of myeloid neoplasia and thematically, his publications focus on translational science and early phase clinical trials for these diseases. He has given oral presentations at local and international meetings including the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the European Hematology Association (EHA) relating to AML therapeutics. He also serves as an editor for Leukemia Research Reports as well as a manuscript reviewer for a number of high impact factor journals including Blood and Leukemia. He has received funding from private foundations, pharma, and the NCI, to conduct investigator initiated projects in his field of investigation.

Dr. Swords has always been fascinated by hematology as a medical specialty. The unique integration between the laboratory and the clinic was a key factor in his decision to be a hematologist. Currently, he specializes in treating patients with blood cancers. The main goal of his research is to develop better drugs for patients with leukemia and related diseases. As a native Irishman, he enjoys going home to visit his family and friends. In his spare time, he likes to read and play piano (fun fact: he supported himself through medical school by teaching kids to play piano!).

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • M.D., 2000, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
    • Ph.D., 2012, National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)

  • Residency

    • General Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), 2002, (MRCPI)

  • Fellowship

    • Hematology, Royal College of Pathologists, London, UK (FRCPath), 2008
    • Experimental Therapeutics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio (UTHSCSA), 2009
    • General Internal Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCPI), 2011

  • Certifications

    • General Internal Medicine, RCPI, 2002
    • Hematology, FRCPath, 2008

Memberships and associations:

  • Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), member, November 2002
  • Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), fellow, November 2011
  • Royal College of Pathologists London UK (RCPath), fellow, November 2007
  • Haematology Association of Ireland (HAI), member, December 2003
  • American Society of Hematology (ASH), member, November 2010
  • South West Oncology Group (SWOG), member, March 2009
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), member, April 2010
  • Developmental Therapeutics Consortium (DTC), member, June 2010
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Insurance

Before scheduling an appointment

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Visit our billing and insurance page for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.9 out of 5 (107 Ratings, 37 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized NRC patient surveys.

  1. Clear and comprehensive communicator.Outstanding after visit write up.

  2. Very thorough and he takes care to explain details when asked questions.

  3. Dr Swords is caring and very knowledgeable

  4. All around a great team!

  5. Prompt, attentive, respectful. Good communication skills. Good listener.

  6. Dr Swords address My condition and listened to my concerns, and Gave a Solution!!!

  7. 1st floor Check in quick and easy as I had done pre check already. 2nd floor check in quick and easy. Directed to waiting area and and was soon seen by a team of health professionals

  8. Very informative. Answered all my questions and explained everything.

  9. Upon the visit I met his staff doctor in training are an assistant, and then the doctor came in and we talked for a while all three of us On a plan of action moving forward.

  10. Thankful that he has my case!

  11. Dr Sword is fantastic

  12. Wonderful and informative as always

  13. Dr. Swords of oncology, is kind, exceding in his compassion and empathy. He is a tremendous doctor, who is always knowledgeable, yet explains all medical conditions in terms that are understandable. Thank you so much for your kindness and care.

  14. Working with Dr. Swords and his staff has been amazing. They are incredibly helpful and responsive. I couldn't ask for better. And everyone we have encountered at your facility has been kind and thoughtful--from bloodwork to Bone Marrow Biopsy. You've done an excellent job with your staff!

  15. Very caring and well informed

  16. Excellent communication skills. Great at answering my questions. Always informed about my case.

  17. Very good listenerConcise and very understandable comments

  18. He was thorough, listened well, and referred me to a specialist. I felt I understood my situation much better.

  19. Dr. Swords asked open-ended questions, to get the whole story. He delivered my diagnosis in a positive way that gave me hope.

  20. Dr Swords is always pleasant and easy to talk to.

  21. Great communications, took time to explain issues with easy understand words

  22. MD listened well

  23. Attentive and knowledgeable

  24. He listens to everything I have to say or ask and responds directly and clearly. I'm impressed with his knowledge and his ability to pull up relevant documents during the session. A+

  25. His knowledge is reassuring, and he is very friendly

  26. He is very knowledgeable and supportive. Answers questions with patient in mind

  27. Dr Swords was awesome

  28. Very caring and giving me information to help me make decisions

  29. Doctor Swords takes the time to listen, and explains anything that is not understood. I really like having someone with the depth to answer complicated questions.

  30. Excellent