University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI)
Administration
UPCI Executive Committee
Nancy Davidson, MD, Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), is assisted in the management of the Institute by members of the UPCI Executive Committee. Members work closely and interact on a regular basis to coordinate programs and activities across UPCI. The weekly UPCI Executive Committee meeting provides a forum for such interactions and collaborations. During these meetings, a wide range of policies and action items are discussed by the group, with specific action plans formulated and rapidly implemented. This group serves as the primary policy development group for the Institute and oversees UPCI membership.
| Nancy E. Davidson, MD | Committee Chair; Director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) / UPMC Cancer Centers (UPMCCC) |
| David Bartlett, MD | Director of Multidisciplinary Clinics; Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology, UPMCCC; and Co-director of Surgical Oncology Services, UPCI |
| Adam Brufsky, MD, PhD | Associate Director of Clinical Investigations |
| Michael Becich, MD, PhD | Associate Director of Cancer Informatics |
| Susan Frank, RN, MSN | Interim Director of Operations, Hillman Cancer Center |
| Vijaya Gandhi, PhD, MBA | Associate Director of Administration and Strategic Planning |
| Dwight Heron, MD | Vice Chairman of Clinical Affairs in the Department of Radiation Oncology; Chairman of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Shadyside; and Director of Radiation Oncology Services, UPCI |
| James Luketich, MD, FACS | Chief of the Division of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Director and Chief of the Heart, Lung, and Esophageal Surgical Institute, UPMC; and Co-Director of Surgical Oncology Services, UPCI |
| Stanley Marks, MD | Director of Clinical Services and Chief Medical Officer, UPMCCC; Chief of Hematology/Oncology, UPMC Shadyside |
| Jeffrey Shogan, MD | Director of Business Services and Chief Business Officer, UPMCCC |
| James Terwilliger | Vice President of Operations, UPMCCC |
Adjunct Members
| Colleen Mantini, MPA | Director of Government Relations, UPCI/UPMCCC |
| Jennifer Raetz | Director of Development, UPCI/UPMCCC |
UPCI Research Leadership Committee
The Research Leaders focus on research-related issues. Dr. Davidson serves as chair of this committee, which also includes UPCI leaders who have responsibilities for academic and research activities. At this weekly meeting, a broad range of research issues are discussed, including: basic, translational, and clinical research; overall strategic planning to achieve future goals; and assessment of needs and opportunities for recruitment and infrastructure development.
UPCI Research Leaders
UPCI receives a total of $173 million in peer-reviewed research grants, and is ranked 10th in funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). More than 600 Institute faculty and staff members, representing over 30 disciplines, work together closely to improve the understanding of cancer and to develop new lifesaving procedures in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. UPCI research programs fall into the following categories: Clinical (oriented mainly towards cancer in humans), Basic (focused on the cellular and molecular activities of cancer), and Population Sciences (studying the effects of environmental, geographical, and behavioral effects on cancer).
UPCI Shared Facility Directors
The shared resources at UPCI include state-of-the-art facilities that provide infrastructure, technology, support, and expertise to enhance basic, translational, and clinical cancer research with a goal to provide outstanding service at reasonable cost. In addition to standard service offerings, most facilities will also work with researchers to provide customized procedures as needed. Facility Directors provide expert consultation and, in some cases, may participate as co-investigators on research faculty grants.
UPCI Scientific Advisory Council
The UPCI External Scientific Advisory Council includes prominent physicians, scientists, and cancer center directors who are nationally and internationally recognized for their scientific and clinical contributions. The Council convenes annually to review UPCI programs and activities, and to provide detailed advice on a wide range of scientific and organizational issues, including development of new research programs, evaluation of existing programs, recruitment of key scientific leadership, review of shared facilities, and ad hoc review of key issues. Input from the Council is extremely valuable for reviewing the scientific and clinical research programs of UPCI and for assessing progress of the research endeavors.
UPCI and UPMC Cancer Centers Council
The UPCI and UPMC Cancer Centers Council, which includes more than 50 of Pittsburgh’s prominent leaders, provides advice and support to UPCI’s and UPMC Cancer Centers’ executive management. Council members serve as ambassadors to the community to promote UPCI and UPMC Cancer Centers core missions: to advance the understanding of cancer; to develop innovative methods for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment; and to provide state-of-the-art cancer care. Council members annually recognize faculty, who have been nominated by their peers, for their commitment to improve the understanding of cancer biology or provide compassionate patient care, and staff who have given outstanding service to UPCI and UPMC Cancer Centers. Council members also help to secure funding to support research and clinical outreach efforts and to promote relationships between UPCI faculty and members of the business community that help guide technology-transfer activities.
View council list and biographies
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