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Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center names head of solid tumor oncology
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Luis A. Diaz, MD, has been named head of the division of solid tumor oncology in the department of medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Diaz — whose interests include cancer genetics and immuno-oncology — will continue his clinical practice with the center’s gastrointestinal oncology service. He specializes in the treatment of colorectal and pancreatic cancers.
“Dr. Diaz is an exemplary clinician and researcher, and his tremendous skill, compassion and energy will have a powerful, positive impact on our patients and staff, as well as on our research efforts,” Philip Kantoff, MD, chairman of the department of medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering, said in a press release. “Dr. Diaz will play a pivotal role in improving our patients’ experience.”
Diaz’s work has focused on the clinical development of tumor-derived DNA as a biomarker for cancer screening, early detection, monitoring and measurement of early residual disease.
He previously served as associate professor of oncology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
“Dr. Diaz has an exciting vision for the future of clinical oncology, a vision that fuses new, cutting-edge research with an exceptional commitment to transforming patient care,” José Baselga, MD, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering’s physician-in-chief and chief medical officer, said in the release. “He is an accomplished and compassionate physician, and his advanced research skills will help us create better treatments for our patients.”
Diaz succeeds David Spriggs, MD, who served as the division head for nearly 13 years.
“I am honored and thrilled to be leading such a brilliant group of clinicians and researchers here at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and to be taking the reins from Dr. Spriggs,” Diaz said in the release. “I want to instill a culture of collaboration, exploration and discovery by making mentorship opportunities for young scientists available, as well as by creating better communication between researchers and departments across [the institution].”