WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that will bring cutting-edge cancer treatment, technology and research to northeastern Pennsylvania, Geisinger Health System and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia today announced the appointment of a renowned oncology specialist to lead The Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.
Mohammed Mohiuddin, MD, FRCR, FACR, formerly the chairman of the Department of Radiation Medicine at the University of Kentucky's Chandler Medical Center in Lexington, was also named co-director of Geisinger Health System's Cancer Institute.
Geisinger and Fox Chase - the nation's first cancer hospital - earlier this year launched a partnership designed to provide cancer prevention strategies, enhanced diagnostic techniques, advanced treatment, clinical trials and research to patients in northeastern Pennsylvania.
"Dr. Mohiuddin is a nationally recognized leader in cancer treatment and research," said Glenn Steele Jr., MD, Geisinger's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We recruited him to The Henry Cancer Center because we believe he's the best leader to bring new energy, focus and vision to the program, which translates into advanced new treatments for cancer patients across the region."
Mohiuddin said his goal is to expand the cancer center from a community- based practice to a tertiary-level (specialized) program.
"Patients right now often choose to travel outside the region for most current treatments," Mohiuddin said, explaining that the care of cancer patients has become so sophisticated in recent years that some advanced treatments and surgeries require subspecialty care.
"In the not-so-distant future, Geisinger will offer the high-end clinical treatments, such as stereotactic radio surgery, oncology robotics surgery and advanced reconstructive surgery that are only offered at the most select treatment centers in the nation," Mohiuddin said. "Geisinger and Fox Chase's shared vision is to elevate The Henry Cancer Center from one that currently offers excellent clinical treatments and research to one that is driving the frontiers of cancer care and research even further."
"Fox Chase is pleased to be part of a strategic alliance with a strong partner like Geisinger. This partnership is a melding of two powerful institutions and their resources to enhance the ability of both to conduct cancer research," said Robert C. Young, MD, Fox Chase President and CEO. "Fox Chase brings nationally and internationally known experts in cancer prevention, detection and treatment to the alliance. We look forward to collaborating with our Geisinger colleagues on a number of exciting research opportunities."
Mohiuddin's responsibilities will include recruiting oncology specialists and subspecialists, as well as developing a post-graduate educational program for medical residents and fellows.
Prior to arriving at Geisinger, Mohiuddin was chairman of the Department of Radiation Medicine at the University of Kentucky's Chandler Medical Center and he also served as a professor for the Department of Clinical Sciences at the College of Allied Health at the University of Kentucky. He also has served as Clinical Chief of the Department of Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at Thomas Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.
A specialist in radiation oncology, Mohiuddin is certified by the American Board of Radiology and is a fellow of the Royal College of Radiology in London, England. He completed his residency at the highly regarded Royal Marsden Hospital in London, England, and earned his medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India.
Mohiuddin is affiliated with numerous professional organizations including the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, Radiation Research Society, the Royal College of Radiology in England and the American Medical Association. He currently serves on numerous international and national committees including the National Society of Chairs of Academic Radiation Oncology Programs, International Network of Comprehensive Rectal Cancer Centers and the National Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.
Mohiuddin has completed numerous research projects and is published in professional medical journals on various topics associated with cancers of the rectum, prostate, bladder and pancreas. He was also named one of "The 318 Top Cancer Specialists for Women" and "The Best 100 Doctors in the U.S." by Good Housekeeping magazine.
Geisinger Health System is an integrated, physician-led healthcare services organization that serves more than two million residents throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania. It includes a 650-member multi- specialty physician practice, a tertiary/quaternary medical center and an acute-care community hospital, adult and pediatric trauma centers, a nationally acclaimed alcohol and chemical dependency treatment center, heart and cancer institutes, a neurosciences program, two research centers, 41 community practice offices and one of the largest not-for-profit rural HMOs in the country. For more information about Geisinger, go to http://www.geisinger.org.
Fox Chase Cancer Center was founded in 1904 in Philadelphia, PA as the nation's first cancer hospital. In 1974, Fox Chase became one of the first institutions designated as a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Fox Chase conducts basic, clinical, population and translational research; programs of prevention, detection and treatment of cancer; and community outreach. For more information about Fox Chase activities, visit the Center's web site at http://www.fccc.edu or call 1-888-FOX CHASE.
Geisinger Health SystemCONTACT: Alison Everett, Media Manager, Geisinger Health System,+1-570-271-8083, or cell, +1-570-490-3371, or ameverett@geisinger.edu
