May 21, 2025
Oregon Pediatric Society Board Member Spotlight: Suman Malempati, M.D., J.D.
Academic physician and attorney dedicating his career to promoting health equity and social justice
In the intricate ecosystem of pediatric healthcare, few professionals embody the multidisciplinary approach of Suman Malempati, MD, JD. As a new board member of the Oregon Pediatric Society, Dr. Malempati brings a unique blend of medical expertise, clinical research experience, legal knowledge, and passionate advocacy to his work. His journey from academic physician to attorney represents an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for children through multiple avenues of professional engagement.
The Journey of a Pediatric Oncologist
Dr. Malempati’s roots in medicine run deep. Born to immigrant physician parents and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky, his upbringing in this medically underserved region would later shape his perspectives on healthcare access and equity.
His own medical career path began at Missouri’s Washington University School of Medicine, and following medical school, he completed his pediatric residency at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.
Dr. Malempati’s experience treating critically ill pediatric patients led him to a fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), renowned for its work in pediatric cancer treatment and research. It was here that Dr. Malempati began developing the specialized expertise that would define much of his career.
“When I chose pediatric oncology, I was drawn to both the scientific challenges and the profound human connections formed with patients and families,” Dr. Malempati reflects. “There’s something uniquely meaningful about helping children fight life-threatening illnesses; it requires scientific rigor alongside deep compassion.”
Scientific Contributions at OHSU
Dr. Malempati’s career flourished at OHSU, where he served as an Assistant and then later, Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. During his 16-year tenure at OHSU, he made significant contributions to the field of pediatric cancer research, focusing particularly on developmental therapeutics, the science of designing and testing new cancer treatments.
His service and leadership work included Medical Director of the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Inpatient Unit at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital; Institutional Principal Investigator of the Children’s Oncology Group Phase I Consortium; and Director of the Solid Tumor and Development Therapeutics Programs.
Dr. Malempati’s scientific contributions include multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, presentations at national and international conferences, and collaborative research that has helped advance understanding of pediatric malignancies. His work particularly focused on improving outcomes for children diagnosed with cancer, areas where treatment advances have significantly improved survival rates but where continued research remains essential.
A Unique Transition: From Medicine to Law
In a bold career pivot, Dr. Malempati embarked on legal studies after a well-established medical career. “At this point in my life, I can no longer be an observer,” he says. “I can no longer stand on the sidelines without being part of the fight for a more just world.” In 2018, Suman enrolled at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, accepting a Robert W. Woodruff Fellowship, and earned his J.D. degree in 2021. This unusual professional trajectory—from accomplished academic physician to law student and eventually attorney—exemplifies Dr. Malempati’s commitment to addressing healthcare challenges from multiple perspectives.
Suman’s law school journey was marked by excellence, including selection as the Emory School of Law Most Outstanding Third-Year Student and recipient of awards for Public Service and for outstanding achievement in writing from the Emory Law Journal. You can read more about his commitment to public service and his time at Emory in this article.
Distinguished Legal Career and Medical Advocacy
Following his law school graduation, Suman embarked on a legal career path that has complemented his medical expertise. For two years, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Marco A. Hernández in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon. In this role, he performed legal research and wrote draft opinions on a variety of motions in civil and criminal cases, while also preparing for and assisting with jury and bench trials.
After his clerkship, Suman joined Metropolitan Public Defender in Portland, where he worked as a public defender until October 2024. There, he provided direct representation and legal services for indigent criminal defendants charged with misdemeanors and felonies in Multnomah County. His responsibilities included managing all aspects of criminal defense cases from arraignments and investigations to plea negotiations, motions, jury trials, and sentencing.
Starting last fall, Suman is an Assistant Federal Public Defender with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the District of Oregon. In this position, he provides direct representation for indigent criminal defendants charged with federal crimes.
Commitment to the Oregon Pediatric Society
When asked about his interest in serving on the Oregon Pediatric Society board of directors, Dr. Malempati’s response reveals how his career transition still connects to his foundational commitment to children’s health:
“In 2018, I left OHSU and my medical career to pursue a law degree. I wanted to find an avenue to better work for equality and social justice,” he explains. “While I am enjoying my new career, I still feel drawn to promoting the health, well-being, and safety of children. I have a strong interest in healthcare policy, particularly as it relates to improving access to care for children. I am also very interested in the social determinants of health. I’d like to help OPS achieve its mission of promoting the health and well-being of children in Oregon by serving on the board.”
This dual professional identity allows him to leverage both medical and legal expertise in advocating for improved pediatric healthcare systems. Dr. Malempati brings a unique perspective to the OPS board, combining his experiences as both a pediatric subspecialist and an attorney. He notes. “I am particularly interested in fighting racial and socioeconomic inequality, so I have a special interest in children and young adults from communities of color.”
His board service is not limited to OPS. Malempati previously served on the board of the Children’s Cancer Association and is currently a board member of the Oregon Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, bringing valuable governance experience to his OPS role.
“The Oregon Pediatric Society has been an ideal platform to merge my medical knowledge with legal advocacy,” notes Dr. Malempati. “Our board works to influence policies that directly impact children’s wellbeing, from vaccination programs to mental health initiatives to ensuring access to care for underserved populations.”
Personal Dimensions 
Behind the impressive professional achievements lies a deeply committed family man. Colleagues know Suman Malempati as someone who maintains a healthy work-life balance despite his demanding career. He credits his family support system as essential to his professional success and values the perspective that family life brings to his work.
Outside of professional pursuits, Suman enjoys outdoor activities that Oregon offers in abundance, including hiking the state’s scenic trails and skiing when he can. He also loves to travel and recently adventured to Amsterdam and Copenhagen with his family. These recreational pursuits provide the necessary balance to the intensity of his professional responsibilities.
Looking Forward: The Future of Pediatric Healthcare
As Dr. Malempati continues his work with the Oregon Pediatric Society and his broader advocacy efforts, he remains optimistic yet realistic about the challenges facing pediatric healthcare.
“Pediatric healthcare is often not a priority within health systems and in research funding, likely because of the perceived lack of financial return on investment,” he observes. “But nothing provides greater long-term impact than investing in children. We are at perilous times with the threatened loss of federal funding for medical research and for programs like Medicaid. Navigating this landscape requires both medical expertise and policy engagement. Individual doctors can provide excellent care for their patients, but collectively, through organizations like OPS, we can improve systems that affect thousands of children.”
A Model of Interdisciplinary Excellence
By mastering multiple disciplines—medicine, scientific research, and law—Suman Malempati has developed a comprehensive perspective on healthcare challenges that few can match.
His OPS colleagues value this multifaceted expertise. “Dr. Malempati brings unique insight to our discussions,” notes a fellow board member. “When we’re considering policy positions or advocacy strategies, he can anticipate medical implications, research opportunities, equity and legal considerations simultaneously. That’s incredibly valuable.”
As the Oregon Pediatric Society continues its vital work advocating for children’s health throughout the state, Dr. Suman Malempati’s presence on its board ensures that initiatives will benefit from a uniquely informed perspective—one that encompasses clinical wisdom, scientific knowledge, and legal acumen, all focused on a singular mission: improving the lives of children through better healthcare.
