William Adler, MD

Meet William Adler, MD

Bringing advanced cancer care and comprehensive hematology services closer to home for patients across southern New Mexico

Dr. William Adler is a board-certified medical oncologist who provides expert hematology and oncology care for patients in Alamogordo and throughout southern New Mexico.  A graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Dr. Adler completed his Internal Medicine residency and Hematology/Medical Oncology fellowship at the University of New Mexico NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center before dedicating his career to expanding access to high-quality cancer care in community settings. Over the past two decades, he has combined compassionate patient care with nationally recognized clinical research leadership, helping patients access innovative treatments and clinical trials without leaving their communities. Throughout his career in Las Cruces and now Alamogordo, Dr. Adler has been committed to ensuring patients receive advanced cancer treatment while remaining close to the support of family and friends.

Career at a Glance

• More than 20 years of experience in medical oncology and hematology
• Board certified in Medical Oncology
• Former Clinical Research Director at Memorial Cancer Center, overseeing national and international oncology clinical trials
• Professor Emeritus, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Hematology & Oncology
• Recipient of multiple NIH NCORP Clinical Research Excellence recognitions and the ASCO Clinical Trials Participation Award
• Nationally published researcher with contributions to cancer disparities, survivorship, clinical trial access and community oncology research

Clinical Role and Leadership

Dr. Adler has served in numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including Clinical Research Director, Cancer Committee Chair, multidisciplinary tumor board leader and community oncology advocate. His leadership has helped expand access to cutting-edge cancer treatments and clinical trials in rural and underserved communities throughout New Mexico. By collaborating closely with surgeons, radiation oncologists, primary care providers, and specialty teams, he helps patients receive coordinated, evidence-based care tailored to their individual diagnosis and goals.

He provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers
• Prostate cancer
• Head & neck cancers
• Multiple myeloma
• Lymphoma and leukemia
• Anemia and other benign blood disorders

What You Can Expect from Care with Dr. Adler

Dr. Adler believes patients deserve access to exceptional cancer care close to home whenever possible. His career has been shaped by a dedication to reducing barriers to treatment, expanding clinical trial opportunities, and helping patients navigate complex diagnoses with confidence and clarity. Patients often appreciate his ability to explain treatment options thoroughly while building collaborative care plans that reflect both medical expertise and personal priorities.

You can expect:

• Clear, honest conversations about your diagnosis and treatment options
• Personalized treatment plans based on the latest clinical evidence
• Access to advanced therapies and clinical trial opportunities when appropriate
• Close collaboration with your entire care team
• Compassionate support focused on helping you remain connected to family, community, and quality of life throughout treatment

Advanced Diagnostic Care and Clinical Trial Access

As a nationally recognized leader in community oncology research, Dr. Adler has helped bring leading-edge cancer therapies and clinical trials to patients across southern New Mexico. Throughout his career, he has participated in dozens of national cooperative group studies and precision medicine trials through organizations such as ECOG-ACRIN, SWOG, NRG Oncology, Alliance, and ASCO's TAPUR Study.

His expertise includes:

• Precision medicine and biomarker-driven cancer treatment
• Immunotherapy and targeted cancer therapies
• Access to national clinical trials in community settings
• Multidisciplinary tumor board review
• Evidence-based treatment planning for complex cancers
• Comprehensive hematology evaluation and management

Research, Clinical Insight, and Thought Leadership

Dr. Adler is widely recognized for his contributions to community oncology research and cancer care delivery. He has served as principal investigator, co-investigator, or sub-investigator on more than 50 clinical studies spanning breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers, hematologic malignancies, lung cancer, prostate cancer, survivorship, symptom management, and cancer prevention.

His published and nationally presented research has focused on:

• Improving clinical trial access for rural and underserved populations
• Cancer disparities in rural communities
• Survivorship and reproductive health for cancer patients
• Minority participation in clinical research
• Community oncology care delivery models
• Multiple myeloma outcomes in rural populations

In addition to his research contributions, Dr. Adler has served as an invited speaker, educator, and moderator at regional and national oncology conferences, helping advance cancer care practices throughout New Mexico and beyond.

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity

A defining theme throughout Dr. Adler's career has been his commitment to expanding access to cancer care for underserved populations. His research and leadership efforts have focused on reducing disparities in rural cancer care, increasing minority participation in clinical trials, and ensuring patients have access to innovative treatment options regardless of geography.

He has been actively involved in:

• Cancer Services of New Mexico educational programs and family retreats
• Community cancer prevention and screening initiatives
• Rural oncology outreach efforts throughout New Mexico
• Patient and caregiver education programs
• Medical advisory board service for cancer support organizations
• Advocacy for increased clinical research access in community settings

Through these efforts, Dr. Adler continues to help improve cancer outcomes across the communities he serves.