Ian M. Thompson Jr., M.D., said his top priority as executive director is preparing for the renewal of the National Cancer Institute’s P30 grant in 2011 that would continue CTRC’s status as an NCI-designated Cancer Center.
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Contact: Karen Stamm, (210) 450-2020

SAN ANTONIO (March 15, 2010) — After serving five months as interim executive director, Ian M. Thompson Jr., M.D., has been officially named executive director of the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

“Dr. Thompson has demonstrated outstanding leadership and strategic vision,” said President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, in the March 15 announcement. “He has fully energized everyone around him to embrace the CTRC’s tremendous potential and to enhance it.”

Glenn A. Halff, M.D., interim dean of the School of Medicine, noted the specific areas where Dr. Thompson, a professor in the Department of Urology, has made his mark since becoming the CTRC’s interim leader on Oct. 23, 2009. “He has devoted his energy to recruiting new and talented faculty, addressing budget issues and working to enhance the appeal of the CTRC’s superb and unique clinical programs.”

Jim Callaway, chairman of CTRC’s Board of Governors, said that making Dr. Thompson’s leadership role permanent is the right move at the right time. “It didn’t take long for me to realize we have the best person right here to lead the CTRC,” Calloway said. “I support this vote of confidence in Dr. Thompson and I’m pleased that the university has made a commitment to his leadership.”

In an e-mail to CTRC faculty and staff, Dr. Thompson called it an honor and a pleasure to inform them of his decision to accept the position as permanent executive director. “I am energized every day by the commitment and dedication displayed by each of you as you compassionately care for our patients, the main reason we are all here.”

Dr. Thompson wrote that for now, he will continue to lead the Department of Urology as chairman and direct the genitourinary cancer clinic at the Medical Arts & Research Center (MARC), where he has a busy clinical and surgical practice. The MARC is the home of UT Medicine San Antonio, the School of Medicine’s faculty practice.

Priorities for the CTRC’s future
Looking ahead, Dr. Thompson discussed his priorities as executive director. First is the task of renewing the National Cancer Institute’s P30 grant in 2011 that makes CTRC an NCI-designated Cancer Center. Other priorities include creating more integrated multidisciplinary clinics, continuing the integration of the CTRC’s research and clinical expertise, and expanding community outreach to create opportunities for partnerships and philanthropic development.

Dr. Thompson told his colleagues, “Over the months and years to come, I know that you will look with pride on those of our current team who have new discoveries and achievements, the addition of new faculty and staff as our new programs come online and grow, and the small yet incredibly rewarding experiences as individual patients ‘Choose Life Over Cancer’ as they leave our facility with renewed hope for a cancer-free future.”

He thanked members of the leadership team for their support and counsel over the past few months, naming Thomas J. Slaga, Ph.D., interim deputy director and professor of pharmacology; Susan Mooberry, Ph.D., interim director of the Institute for Drug Development and a professor of pharmacology with cross appointments in medicine and biochemistry; and CTRC Chief Administrative Officer David Raney.

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The Cancer Therapy & Research Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is one of the nation's leading academic research and treatment centers, serving more than 4.4 million people in the high-growth corridor of Central and South Texas including Austin, San Antonio, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley. CTRC is one of the elite cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center, and is one of the only three in Texas. A world leader in developing new drugs to treat cancer, the CTRC Institute for Drug Development is internationally recognized for conducting one of the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug programs in the world, and participates in the clinical and/or preclinical development of many of the cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. For more information, visit www.ctrc.net.