By RUTHANN RICHTER

Steven A. Leibel, MD, a world-renowned radiation oncologist, will join the Stanford University Medical Center as medical director of the Stanford Cancer Center, officials announced last week. Leibel will spearhead all cancer programs in patient care and clinical research, which are united under the roof of the recently opened cancer center.

Leibel will serve as the first Ann and John Doerr Medical Director of Stanford Cancer Center. The directorship was established by a gift from the couple. John Doerr is a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, a leading Silicon Valley venture capital firm, and board member of ABC2, a foundation to accelerate the development of brain cancer cures. “We’re impressed by the commitment of Steve Leibel and the center to translate new discoveries into improved cancer care,” Doerr said.

Leibel joins Stanford from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where he has served since 1998 as chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology. He is widely recognized for his work in developing more precisely targeted therapies for treating cancers of the brain and prostate.

“Steve is an extraordinary clinician and scientist who has made major contributions to cancer treatment. He has the talent and leadership skills to drive clinical and translational research forward to help improve the lives of patients in the 21st century,” said Philip Pizzo, MD, dean of the Stanford School of Medicine. “I especially want to thank Ann and John Doerr for their extraordinary gesture. The Doerrs’ commitment to cancer care and discovery is remarkable. Their gift will make a real impact on the work that we do in cancer research.”

“We are very excited to have Dr. Leibel join us at Stanford’s new state-of-the-art cancer center,” said Martha Marsh, president and CEO of Stanford Hospital & Clinics. “He is a nationally recognized leader in bringing the latest advances to cancer patients and a strong advocate of Stanford’s personalized approach to patient care.” Marsh added how deeply gratified she was with the Doerrs’ financial gift.

A San Francisco native, Leibel received his MD from UC-San Francisco where he also completed residency training in radiation oncology. He served on the faculties at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and UCSF before moving to New York in 1988 to join the Department of Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering.

Leibel was also president and chair of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, and in July will become president of the American Board of Radiology, the nation’s leading organization for professionals in those fields.

While at Sloan-Kettering, Leibel directed clinical trials of sophisticated new techniques in radiotherapy known as 3-D conformal radiation therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. These techniques involve the use of high-dose radiation to more precisely target tumors while sparing normal tissues. The result has been a significant improvement in cure rates for some cancers, particularly prostate cancer.

At Stanford, Leibel will direct an enterprise of some 200 cancer specialists, including physicians in medical, surgical and radiation oncology, research nurses and social workers, who collaborate as a team in treating patients. These cancer experts work side by side in the new 150,000-square-foot cancer center building, where patients have access to the most advanced treatments in an environment designed to soothe and heal.

“It’s an exciting time for the oncology program with the opening of the new facility,” Leibel said. “It’s the perfect time to be assuming this leadership position at the medical center. I look forward to the challenge and opportunity of making the new Stanford Cancer Center one of the most significant treatment facilities in the world.”

Leibel said he will work to ensure that patients have access to appropriate treatments and caregivers for their individual needs, that they have the best support available throughout their diagnosis and treatment, and that their treatment experience is as convenient and comfortable as possible.

He also will help to build a program that will enable Stanford to become designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.