Omar Harfouch, MD, MPH
- Academic Title: Assistant Professor
- Primary Appointment: Medicine
- Additional Title: Member, THRIVE, Research Initiative on Infectious Diseases and Substance Use, Division of Clinical Care & Research, Institute of Human Virology
- Email: oharfouch@ihv.umaryland.edu
- Location: Institute of Human Virology: 725 W Lombard St. S518 Baltimore, MD 21201
- Phone (Primary): 410-706-1372
- Phone (Secondary): For Appointments: 410-328-9102
Education and Training
- Universite Saint Joseph, MD, 2015
- Johns Hopkins University, MPH, 2016
- Johns Hopkins Hospital, Postdoctoral Research, 2017
- Medstar Health, Internal Medicine Residency, 2020
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Fellowship 2022
Biosketch
Dr. Harfouch's clinical practice and research interests focus on HIV and anal HPV treatment and prevention. He holds a K23 Career Development Award from the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and a Robert A. Winn Career Development Award for Excellence in Clinical Trials (Winn CDA).
Currently, he practices high resolution anoscopy for anal cancer screening in at-risk populations. He also leads a clinical research site at University of Maryland, Baltimore where he offers HIV treatment and prevention.
Research/Clinical Keywords
HIV/AIDS, LGBT Health, sexual health, anal cancer screening
Highlighted Publications
Harfouch O, Lisco A, Omari H, et al. High Rates of High-Risk HPV Anal Infection and Abnormal Cytology in a Cohort of Transgender People Assigned Male at Birth. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024;
Harfouch, O., MacMath, D., Subramanian, P., Eyasu, R., Ramadhani, H. O., Ye, P., ... & Lisco, A. (2026). Comparison of Whole-Viral Genome Sequencing and PCR-based assay for Anal HPV Detection to Inform Clinical Implementation. Journal of Virological Methods, 1. 2026 June.
Harfouch, O, Mammadli T, Volpi C, Mansfield ME, Ebah E, Eyasu R, et al. Stakeholder-informed Strategies to Enhance Linkage to High-resolution Anoscopy for Anal Cancer Screening in Transgender Women. J AIDS HIV Treat. 2026;8(1):41–48.
Harfouch O, Whitfield D, Mammadli T, Eyasu R, Volpi C, Mansfield M, et al. A Sequential Mixed-Methods Study of Factors Associated with Low High-Resolution Anoscopy Completion in Transgender Women with Abnormal Anal Cytology. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2025 Jan 27.
Canner JK, Harfouch O, Kodadek LM, et al. Temporal Trends in Gender-Affirming Surgery Among Transgender Patients in the United States. JAMA Surg. 2018;153(7):609–616. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.6231
Additional Publications
Harfouch, O., Luethy, P. M., Noval, M., & Baghdadi, J. D. (2021). Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica Monomicrobial Bacteremia in a Homeless Man. Emerging infectious diseases, 27(12), 3195.
Harfouch, O., Comstock, E., Kaplan, R. et al. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the PrEP Cascade at Two Veterans Affairs Healthcare Systems. AIDS Behav (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-023-04146-5
Novitskaya MG, DeRosa PA, Chen DT, Khalil A, Harfouch O, O'Connor EE, Schmalzle SA. Rapidly Enlarging Parotid Mass in a Person Living with HIV: A Case of Multiple Myeloma with Extramedullary Plasmacytoma. Am J Case Rep. 2023 Aug 3;24:e938431. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.938431. PMID: 37533236; PMCID: PMC10411289.
Harfouch O, Comstock E, Sittig K, Talwani R, Kaplan R, Benator D, et al. STI Characterization in Two U.S. Veterans Health Administration Healthcare Facilities During the Early COVID-19 Pandemic. J AIDS HIV Treat. 2023;5(1):41-45.
Streed Jr, C. G., Harfouch, O., Marvel, F., Blumenthal, R. S., Martin, S. S., & Mukherjee, M. (2017). Cardiovascular disease among transgender adults receiving hormone therapy: a narrative review. Annals of internal medicine, 167(4), 256-267.
Haider, A., Adler, R.R., Schneider, E., Leitz, T.U., Ranjit, A., Ta, C., Levine, A., Harfouch, O., Pelaez, D., Kodadek, L. and Vail, L., 2018. Assessment of patient-centered approaches to collect sexual orientation and gender identity information in the emergency department: the EQUALITY study. JAMA network open, 1(8), pp.e186506-e186506.
(2020) Examining the Attitudes and Behaviors of Health-care Providers Toward LGBT Patients in Lebanon, Journal of Homosexuality, 67:13, 1902-1919
Research Interests
My research focuses on the prevention and early detection of anal cancer among populations disproportionately affected by HPV-associated disease, including people living with HIV, cisgender men who have sex with men, and transgender women. These groups experience a substantially higher burden of anal dysplasia and anal cancer, yet significant gaps remain in understanding risk factors, optimizing screening strategies, and ensuring equitable access to preventive care.
My translational research seeks to identify biological, behavioral, and clinical factors associated with the development and progression of anal HPV infection, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and anal cancer. Through clinical and epidemiologic investigations, I aim to improve risk stratification and generate evidence that can inform personalized approaches to anal cancer prevention and screening in populations at highest risk.
In parallel, my implementation science research focuses on translating evidence-based interventions into real-world clinical practice. A primary area of interest is improving engagement across the anal cancer prevention continuum, including increasing participation in anal cancer screening programs, strengthening linkage to diagnostic evaluation with high-resolution anoscopy, and expanding uptake of HPV vaccination among individuals at elevated risk. By identifying patient-, provider-, and health system-level barriers to care, I seek to develop and evaluate strategies that improve access, adherence, and health outcomes.
Ultimately, my work aims to advance equitable, evidence-based approaches to anal cancer prevention and reduce the burden of HPV-related disease among vulnerable and underserved populations. Through interdisciplinary collaborations spanning infectious diseases, oncology, public health, and implementation science, I strive to generate research that informs clinical practice, health policy, and population-level cancer prevention efforts.
Clinical Specialties
I provide comprehensive, office-based care for the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of anal dysplasia and anal cancer in populations at increased risk.
A major focus of my clinical work is the performance of high-resolution anoscopy (HRA), the gold-standard diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of abnormal anal cancer screening tests and the detection of anal precancerous lesions. Through office-based HRA, I evaluate patients with abnormal anal cytology, positive HPV testing, or other risk factors for anal cancer, facilitating early identification and management of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).
In addition to diagnostic evaluation, I perform office-based treatment of anal HSIL using hyfrecation, an electrocautery-based ablative technique designed to eradicate precancerous lesions and reduce the risk of progression to anal cancer.
My clinical expertise is closely integrated with my research program, which focuses on advancing anal cancer prevention strategies and improving the implementation of screening and treatment services in real-world healthcare settings.
Grants and Contracts
- National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases K23: 09/2025 - present
- Robert A. Winn Career Development Award for Excellence in Clinical Trials: 10/2025 - present