SAN ANTONIO (June 22, 2010) – Peter Ravdin, M.D., Ph.D., has been named director of the Breast Health Clinic at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
CTRC Executive Director Ian M. Thompson Jr., M.D. made the announcement, saying, “We knew we needed someone renowned in both research and clinical care to lead by example and to take our program to the next level because that is what our patients deserve. We found that expertise in Dr. Ravdin.”
In March 2010, Dr. Ravdin joined the Health Science Center faculty after eight years of working independently and most notably on developing “Adjuvant!,” a widely used computer tool that estimates benefits and risks of chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery. In April, Dr. Ravdin accepted the American Society of Breast Diseases 2010 “Pathfinder” award that celebrates the innovators who have combined biological intuition, clinical and translational research, and clinical practice with an interdisciplinary understanding to advance the fight against breast disease and breast cancer.
Dr. Ravdin previously served on the Health Science Center faculty from 1987 until 2002, wearing a number of hats that prepared him for his new role. He directed major clinical trials, including one leading to government approval of the widely used breast cancer drug Taxotere. He served as an executive officer of the Southwest Oncology Group, one of the largest National Cancer Institute-funded cancer clinical trials cooperative groups in the U.S. with an operations office based in San Antonio, and was the CTRC’s chief of staff. Then, as now, Dr. Ravdin was a member of the executive committee of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the world’s largest annual scientific meeting devoted to breast cancer research and treatment. In 2009, the symposium drew about 8,500 participants from 93 countries.
“The CTRC has technically excellent and compassionate physicians who practice in all breast cancer care specialties,” Dr. Ravdin said. “I’m proud to be back at one the country’s top programs for developing new treatments, and to work with world-class scientists whose research and talent will benefit the future of cancer prevention and treatment.”
Creating a comprehensive team of breast care specialists has been a CTRC priority since the clinic’s physical structure was completed in 2006, offering patients diagnosis, treatment and a wide range of services focused on improving quality of life – all under one roof. In addition to announcing the clinic’s director, Dr. Thompson also welcomed medical oncologist Richard Elledge, M.D., and three recently hired surgical oncologists. Ismail Jatoi, M.D., Ph.D., professor and chief of surgical oncology at the UT Health Science Center, is highly respected for his work in the U.S. and the U.K. He is joined by Alfredo Santillan, M.D., clinical assistant professor of surgery, and Boyce B. Oliver, Jr., M.D., clinical assistant professor of surgery.
The Cancer Therapy & Research Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is one of the nation’s leading academic research and treatment centers, serving more than 4.4 million people in the high-growth corridor of Central and South Texas including Austin, San Antonio, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. CTRC is one of the elite cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, and is one of the only three in Texas. A world leader in developing new drugs to treat cancer, the CTRC Institute for Drug Development is internationally recognized for conducting one of the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug programs in the world, and participates in the clinical and/or preclinical development of many of the cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.ctrc.net