Andrew S. Kraft, MD, prostate cancer physician-scientist and cancer center administrator, has been named the Sydney E. Salmon Endowed Chair and Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Associate Vice President for Oncology Programs for the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center. In addition to his cancer center leadership role, Dr. Kraft joins the University as a tenured Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Hematology/Oncology and Senior Associate Dean for Translational Research in the College of Medicine.
Dr. Kraft is scheduled to begin his new leadership role in September. He replaces Anne E. Cress, MD, who has served as Interim Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center since July 2013.
Led Former Institution to NCI-Designated Status
Recruited to the Medical University of South Carolina in 2004, Dr. Kraft led the Hollings Cancer Center’s efforts to become a National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center. Under his leadership, Hollings attained NCI cancer center status in 2009.
An accomplished prostate cancer researcher and developer of novel cancer drugs, Dr. Kraft is the principal investigator for numerous clinical trials. His research has received funding from the NCI since 1985. He has also received support from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation.
In his new role, Dr. Kraft will have overall responsibility for the Cancer Center’s $35 million research portfolio and oversight of oncology clinical operations in Tucson, in partnership with the UA Health Network. In addition, he will oversee the development and implementation of clinical and research operations at the new University of Arizona Cancer Center facility in Phoenix in collaboration with Dignity Health/St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. The new facility is slated for completion in summer 2015. ■
