Yehoda Martei

Yehoda Martei, MD, MSCE, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Hematology-Oncology. He is actively engaged in global oncology research with fieldwork in Botswana and Ghana, focusing on improving access to cancer medicines and treatment outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.

• Institution: University of Pennsylvania
• School: School of Medicine
• Department: Department of Medicine
• Specialization: Hematology-Oncology
• Research Regions: Botswana, Ghana, Sub-Saharan Africa

Dr. Martei’s research centers on global oncology, particularly breast cancer and its intersection with HIV in resource-limited settings. His work investigates the social, economic, and health system barriers—such as stigma, affordability, and supply chain issues—that affect access to essential cancer medicines and fidelity to guideline-concordant care. He applies implementation science to develop and test interventions, including culturally appropriate survivor narrative videos to improve patient engagement and adherence. His scholarship informs global health policy, notably through contributions to the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Cancer and the Medicines Patent Pool.

The recent publications of Dr. Martei span high-impact journals such as The Lancet Oncology, JAMA Network Open, and JCO Global Oncology. His work demonstrates a strong trend in health equity, antimicrobial resistance in cancer patients, racial and geographic disparities in care, and the integration of oncology and infectious disease management. Themes include implementation science, policy analysis, and clinical outcomes research in underserved populations.

Scientific awards and recognition include:

• NIH K01 award from the Fogarty International Center for research on fidelity to breast cancer care in Botswana

Dr. Martei mentors trainees and contributes to global health education at Penn, including the Global Health Mentorship and Year-out Program. He has led funded research projects evaluating health system factors and patient-level barriers to cancer care. His collaborative network includes institutions in the U.S., Africa, and international organizations such as the WHO and Union for International Cancer Control.

He is involved in key initiatives such as the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition, which aims to strengthen in-country coordination for sustainable medicine access. His work often involves multidisciplinary teams focusing on quality improvement, health policy, and clinical research in global settings.