Western Connecticut Health Network (WCHN) has named gynecologic oncologist Thomas J.
Rutherford, MD, PhD, an expert in the area of ovarian cancer, as the Network Physician Director of Cancer Services.
As Director, Dr. Rutherford will create a new model of cancer delivery in the dynamic environment of the programs at the Praxair Cancer Center at Danbury Hospital, Diebold Family Cancer Center at New Milford Hospital, and the Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.
“WCHN delivers the same quality and standard of care, if not better, than anywhere in the country, at a better value, with easy accessibility within our local communities by a friendly care team,” Dr. Rutherford said. “I am looking forward to integrating the many excellent cancer programs and services, and the outstanding expertise of our cancer care team at WCHN, to continue to grow our efforts to provide the highest quality and standard of cancer care to our patients.”
Dr. Rutherford will lead the expansion of the WCHN cancer services. His philosophy is total cancer care: prevention; high risk screening; research; genomics; a personal and individualized treatment plan; supportive and survivorship care; as well as the end of life care to support the medical and personal needs of every patient and their family. He believes that disease-site specific programs, comprised of interdisciplinary teams led by surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists, will develop a unified state-of-the-art treatment plan for all patients at each WCHN Cancer Center.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Rutherford join the WCHN family and lead our expert cancer team,” said WCHN President and CEO, John M. Murphy, MD. “He has an outstanding reputation for his clinical and research experience, and a compassionate approach to caring for patients. His vision and leadership will enhance the great care provided by an excellent team in place today, and guide us as we transform cancer care for our community.”
Dr. Rutherford is a board-certified gynecological oncologist and an authority on gynecologic cancers. Prior to WCHN, he served as Professor of Gynecologic Oncology and Director of Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship at Yale University School of Medicine. During that time, Dr. Rutherford played a key role in the development of the gynecologic oncology department, including growing a research division that encompassed basic and translational research at both the institutional and cooperative group levels. A recognized researcher, Dr. Rutherford has focused on prevention, early detection, and treatment of ovarian cancer and other gynecologic malignancies. He has authored more than 100 scientific journal articles, worked to isolate the stem cell associated with ovarian cancer, and developed the standard of care for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
Dr. Rutherford will continue to influence the evolution of WCHN’s cancer research program with emphasis on basic science research that will lead to translational clinical programs, clinical trial development, and novel therapies.
Dr. Rutherford obtained his bachelor’s degree from Roanoke College and his doctoral and medical degrees from the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. ■
