DETROIT, MI - John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, today announced the appointment of Manuel Valdivieso, M.D. as Associate Director, Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Upon joining the Institute on February 2, 2004 Dr. Valdivieso will be responsible for medical staff development, the oversight of clinical care activities throughout the Institute and leadership of the Institute's multidisciplinary teams. Dr. Valdivieso will also oversee business services, clinical operations, networking, contracting, hospice, screening operations and clinical affiliations.
"Dr. Valdivieso brings nearly 30 years of clinical experience to the Karmanos Cancer Institute's leadership team," said Dr. Ruckdeschel. "He'll oversee the Institute's clinical staff to ensure high quality, cost-effective care and he'll lead our multidisciplinary teams in implementing plans for continuous improvement," continued Dr. Ruckdeschel. "We are delighted that Dr. Valdivieso has joined us in providing world-class cancer research and care for the people of Detroit," concluded Dr. Ruckdeschel.
Most recently, Dr. Valdivieso served as director of the Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University in Springfield, Illinois. Prior to this, Dr. Valdivieso served as associate director of Clinical Investigations, director of the Thoracic Oncology Program and director of the Clinical Research Office at the Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Valdivieso was previously affiliated with the Institute from 1986 to 1996 as a key member of its Thoracic Oncology Program.
"It's great to be back in Detroit and back at the Karmanos Cancer Institute," said Dr. Valdivieso. "The Institute is a great source of hope for those in Detroit confronting cancer," continued Dr. Valdivieso. "I look forward to working with Dr. Ruckdeschel and the rest of the Institute's leadership to continue to strengthen the Institute and generate the resources necessary for further excellence in cancer research and treatment," concluded Dr. Valdivieso.
Dr. Valdivieso received his medical degree from San Marcos University Medical School in Lima, Peru and a master of science in administrative medicine from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Dr. Valdivieso trained in medical oncology and developmental therapeutics at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas from 1972 to 1974 and stayed at the center as faculty until 1983. Dr. Valdivieso is board certified in medical oncology by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American College of Chest Physicians. His memberships include the American College of Physician Executives, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Association for Cancer Research, and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer. Dr. Valdivieso has been named among the Best Doctors in America since 1996 and has authored and co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications.
Based in midtown Detroit, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is dedicated to the prevention, early detection and eventual eradication of cancer. The Meyer L. Prentis Comprehensive Cancer Center of Metropolitan Detroit is operated by the Institute, which is one of 39 National Cancer Institute designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Operating on an annual budget of $200 million with 1,200 staff, 300 faculty members, hundreds of volunteers and $54 million in research grants, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of the largest cancer centers in the United States. John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D. is the Institute's president and CEO. Established in 2001, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.
