Craig B. Thompson, MD, announced his intention to step down as President and Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and has asked the Boards of Trustees and Governing Trustees to begin a search for his successor. Dr. Thompson will continue in his role until the Board identifies his successor.
“It has been a tremendous honor to lead this amazing organization over the past decade. I couldn’t be prouder of our progress,” said Dr. Thompson. “As I look to the future, I believe this is the right time to begin the search for a new leader who will guide us through the next phase of executing our strategic vision and mission.”
Craig B. Thompson, MD
Contributions to MSK
Since becoming President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2010, Dr. Thompson has led MSK through an unprecedented period of transformation and growth. As cancer care has evolved to deliver treatments that are more precise and less invasive, the organization has significantly expanded its care network, enabling it to provide more patients with greater access to quality cancer care. Over the past decade, MSK has doubled the size of its workforce and now consists of more than 20,000 professionals.
Significant scientific advances occurred at MSK during Dr. Thompson’s tenure, including the creation of MSK-IMPACT, a targeted tumor-sequencing test that detects gene mutations and other genetic changes in both rare and common cancers, as well as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. The organization has also deepened its commitment to education, now educating thousands of health-care professionals and postdoctoral researchers.
“It has been my personal and professional pleasure to work alongside Craig for the past 11 years. We are immensely grateful for Craig’s tireless efforts to enhance patient care, drive innovation and discovery, and educate the next generation of leaders in cancer,” said Scott M. Stuart, Chair of MSK Cancer Center Boards of Trustees and Governing Trustees. “All good things come to an end, and now it’s time for us to identify our next leader. I have seen firsthand that this remarkable institution attracts the best talent in the world. I’m confident we’ll find a fantastic leader to guide us into the future and thank Craig for allowing us ample time to identify a successor.”
