CLEVELAND – In a major step towards the opening of the new Cancer Hospital, Julian A. Kim, MD, has been appointed Chief of Oncologic Surgery at the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UHCMC). In this newly-created position, Dr. Kim, who is currently Chief of Surgical Oncology at UHCMC, will unify all cancer surgery capabilities to prepare for a seamless transition to the Cancer Hospital, which will house the Ireland Cancer Center and is scheduled to be completed in December 2010 on the UHCMC campus. This innovative approach to surgical care is being adopted at top cancer hospitals throughout the country.
An accomplished cancer surgeon, Dr. Kim will oversee and align the various surgical services throughout UHCMC, UH community hospitals and the Ireland Cancer Center regional network. His programmatic oversight links surgical oncology with all surgical specialties involved with cancer care, including urology, neurosurgery, gynecologic oncology, thoracic surgery, dermatology, colorectal surgery and pediatrics. His team will be fully integrated with the Ireland Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary care teams.
“This appointment is a significant step forward for the Ireland Cancer Center and our focus on coordinated, state-of-the-art care for all cancer patients who come through our door,” says Stanton Gerson, MD, Director of the Ireland Cancer Center. “This is a unique position within a cancer center and one of a few in the nation. As we prepare to move to the new Cancer Hospital, Dr. Kim’s wealth of experience will truly bring together our outstanding surgical specialties into one cohesive team.”
Dr. Kim is a recognized expert in the treatment of patients with melanoma, breast cancer, soft tissue sarcomas, and gastrointestinal malignancies. Prior to joining the Ireland Cancer Center, Dr. Kim served as Director of the Melanoma Program at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Kim received his M.D. from the Medical College of Ohio and completed his surgical residency at the University of Maryland Hospitals in Baltimore. He completed a surgical oncology and immunotherapy fellowship at Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at Ohio State University.
“Dr. Kim is a nationally respected cancer surgeon and educator,” says Jeffrey Ponsky, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, UH, and Chairman Department of Surgery, UHCMC. “We look forward to his leadership in further strengthening our cancer surgery program throughout Northeast Ohio by uniting all disciplines throughout University Hospitals into the new Cancer Hospital."
The 375,000-square-foot free-standing Cancer Hospital to be built at University Hospitals Case Medical Center is a key component of University Hospitals’ Vision 2010 strategic plan. With 120 beds and a capacity for 150, the new hospital will house diagnostic, inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgical and research facilities devoted entirely to cancer. Other Vision 2010 projects include construction of the UH Ahuja Medical Center at Chagrin Highlands, the UH Twinsburg Health Center, the UH Concord Health Center, a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and a Center for Emergency Medicine at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, as well as development of an Electronic Health Record system.
“This is an exceptionally important and key appointment for the Cancer Hospital,” says Fred C. Rothstein, MD, President of UHCMC. “The Ireland Cancer Center is a national leader in cancer treatment and this innovative surgical approach will further advance its commitment to outstanding patient and family-centered care."