Deborah Stephens

Deborah Stephens, DO, is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, holding dual leadership roles as Director of the Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Richter's Program and Physician Leader of the CLL and Lymphoma Research Program within the Department of Medicine's Division of Hematology.

Her educational background includes:

• Medical School: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences
• Residency: Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
• Fellowship: The Ohio State University

Dr. Stephens specializes in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Richter transformation, with research focused on developing clinical trials for high-risk CLL patients, improving quality of life through novel therapies, and eliminating disease complications. Her work emphasizes early intervention strategies and patient-centered care, exemplified by her national leadership of the S1925 EVOLVE CLL Trial.

She holds significant professional appointments including membership on the Medical Advisory Board for the CLL Society (the largest international CLL patient advocacy group) and leadership of the CLL Section for the SWOG Leukemia Working Group. Previously, she contributed to the NCCN Guideline Panel for CLL management standards.

Outside academia, Dr. Stephens enjoys outdoor activities including hiking and trail running with her family and French bulldog in North Carolina's natural landscapes.