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March 3, 2008
School of Medicine forms new department, names Khuri chair

By vincent dollard

Emory School of Medicine has established Hematology and Medical Oncology as its newest department and has named Fadlo R. Khuri as chair. Khuri will also hold the Roberto C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research.
Brian Leyland-Jones, director of Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute, notes that this is a timely and important step.

“The newly created Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology is vital to Emory Winship’s development as a true comprehensive cancer center,” he says. “And Dr. Khuri is the natural choice to serve in this important position. Dr. Khuri is internationally recognized as a leader for his work in tobacco-related cancers. In addition, he has earned tremendous respect among faculty, staff and our patients for his leadership, devotion to patient care and his incredible work ethic.”

“Over the past several years, we have seen dynamic growth within Winship,” said Dean Thomas Lawley. “Now is the time for Emory Winship to grow into an integrated organization of clinicians and scientists in hematology and medical oncology, radiation oncology, cancer control and population sciences, pediatric hematology and oncology and surgical oncology.”

Prior to its designation as a department, hematology and medical oncology existed as a section within the School of Medicine.

In May, Winship will submit a grant application to the National Cancer Institute for Cancer Center designation, which will establish Winship among the nation’s elite cancer facilities in terms of research, treatment and outreach.

As chair of the new department, Khuri will oversee clinical and basic research as well as the delivery of oncology clinical services at each facility within Emory Healthcare.

Since joining Winship in 2002, Khuri has helped lead the substantial increase in federal cancer funding at Emory. He has recruited more than 25 faculty to Emory’s hematology and medical oncology section, and has played an integral role in recruiting leading research and clinical faculty to Emory.

Khuri, a Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Scholar, also notes the importance of the Robert C. Goizueta Chair for Cancer Research, which was initiated as an endowed cancer research fund in 1997. “We will work to extend Mr. Goizueta’s vision for creating sustainable change and long-term impact for our community and beyond. We are honored to be able to play a role in implementing that vision through high-impact research into lung and aerodigestive cancers.”