Cedars-Sinai cancer director stepping down

Photo: John Rensten/Getty Images

Dr. Dan Theodorescu, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, is stepping down after six years to pursue new professional opportunities, Cedars-Sinai said this week.

During Theodorescu’s tenure, Cedars-Sinai Cancer doubled its National Institutes of Health funding and expanded the scope and breadth of its research. 

The cancer team also increased the integration of services across a growing regional network of providers, and deepened outreach initiatives with community partners in an attempt to reduce disparities in cancer research and clinical care, the health system said.

“Dr. Theodorescu, an internationally recognized bladder cancer scientist and clinician, has made invaluable contributions to the growth of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute,” said Dr. Peter L. Slavin, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Health System.

WHAT’S THE IMPACT

Theodorescu’s leadership of the Molecular Twin initiative continues to affect how investigators approach precision oncology and personalized cancer treatments for patients, the system said. One of his initiatives entailed research into the relationship between the loss of the Y chromosome and cancer progression among older men.

“We thank Dr. Theodorescu for his outstanding contributions to our thriving Cancer enterprise and wish him every success,” said Shlomo Melmed, executive vice president of Medicine and Health Sciences and dean of the Medical Faculty. “We look forward to watching his career flourish.”

Theodorescu will be stepping down Feb. 28. Dr. Robert Figlin, deputy director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer, will serve as interim director while a national search for a new director is conducted. 

Dr. Cristina Ferrone, chair of the Department of Surgery, will serve as interim co-director for cancer clinical services, and Dr. Ze’ev Ronai will serve as interim cancer scientific director.

THE LARGER TREND

In 2023, under President Joe Biden, the Department of Health and Human Services released a National Cancer Plan developed by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute (NCI).

The National Cancer Plan was drafted by NCI and NIH in collaboration with the Cancer Moonshot, HHS, and representatives from the cancer community. It includes eight goals and accompanying strategies that outline what HHS said must be accomplished to prevent more cancers, reduce deaths from the disease and improve people’s lives after a diagnosis.

It is unclear what will happen to these goals under the Trump Administration.

Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the United States, with nearly 600,000 deaths annually. Significant disparities continue to exist in screening and follow-up care after an abnormal cancer screening test result, based on an individual’s income, insurance status, and race or ethnicity, said HHS. These cancers can be prevented or detected early through appropriate screening and timely follow-up care.

Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.