Kraft appointed director of cancer center
Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., has been appointed director of the Hollings Cancer Center. He will assume the position this summer.
Dr.
Andrew S. Kraft
Currently chief of medical oncology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Kraft brings to Charleston a long and productive background, both as a clinician and researcher.
He is primary investigator in several National Cancer Institute (NCI) grants and has put together multi-specialty research grants and programs for the NCI.
“Dr. Kraft currently holds a leadership position at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, and he understands NCI philosophy on the creation of centers, particularly comprehensive cancer centers,” said J.G. Reves, M.D., dean of the MUSC College of Medicine and vice president for medical affairs. “He is looking forward to taking the Hollings Cancer Center to the next level of NCI designation, which will be first a center and ultimately a comprehensive center.”
Reves also said Kraft understands that Hollings Cancer Center is a resource for the entire state and he will have the opportunity to work with others, including the superb epidemiology resources in Columbia and the cancer centers in Columbia and Greenville, to foster close working relationships that will benefit virtually every cancer patient in South Carolina through education, research and clinical programs.
“South Carolina is a small state, but one with excellent resources in cancer research and cancer patient care,” said Harris Pastides, Ph.D., vice president for research and health sciences at the University of South Carolina. “Dr. Kraft’s appointment heralds a renewed commitment for a statewide effort to make the Hollings Cancer Center a national leader in cancer research. The state’s other cancer programs stand ready to collaborate with Dr. Kraft to produce breakthroughs in basic scientific discoveries, as well as in developing new approaches to effectively managing the care of patients and families who suffer from cancer. We firmly expect South Carolina to achieve increased recognition under his guidance and that tangible benefits will be apparent to the citizens of our state and region.”
William M. Butler, M.D., director of the Palmetto Health Cancer Center in Columbia, said he is tremendously excited by Kraft’s assuming the leadership of the Hollings Cancer Center. “I look forward to working with him as he leads the statewide effort toward building an NCI-designated cancer center,” he said.
James Hebert, Sc.D., professor at USC’s Arnold School of Public Health and leader of MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center Statewide Cancer Prevention and Control Program, who bridges much of MUSC's and USC’s joint efforts in addressing South Carolina’s cancer issues also applauded the selection.
“I am delighted that Dr. Kraft has chosen to accept the directorship of the Hollings Cancer Center,” he said. “Dr. Kraft is acutely aware that South Carolina has among the highest cancer rates in the nation, and that addressing the burden of cancer in populations at greatest risk represents our highest calling. I look forward to working with Dr. Kraft in the fine tradition begun by Dr. Carolyn Reed; a tradition characterized by the need to understand the complex set of biological relationships that cause cancer and the knowledge that human cancers also reflect the social environments in which we all live. I know that Dr. Kraft is eager to develop the first truly statewide cancer research effort in the nation and that in working together, we will do an outstanding job of reducing the large and growing cancer rates of South Carolinians and the human suffering that lies beneath the statistics.”
In addition to heading medical oncology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Kraft heads the Experimental Therapeutics Program at the University of Colorado Cancer Center and is the Stapp/Harlow Professor of Cancer Research. He also holds an appointment as professor in the School of Pharmacy. His specific interests are in cancer of the prostate, sarcomas and novel cancer drug development.
A native of New York, Kraft received his bachelor of science degree from Bucknell University and his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania. His advanced training includes a fellowship at the National Cancer Institute. He held academic and clinical appointments at the University of Alabama and its Comprehensive Cancer Center from 1983 to 1996, serving as associate director of its Division of Hematology prior to accepting an appointment at the University of Colorado.
“We are delighted that Dr. Kraft has decided to join our efforts to build a statewide cancer program and to pursue National Cancer Institute designation,” said MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. “He has a strong track record of achievement and will help us take the Hollings Cancer Center to the next level.”
The selection process was long and arduous, according to John R. Feussner, M.D., chairman of the MUSC Department of Medicine who chaired the search committee. Kraft was selected from an initial pool of 130 candidates. After extensive screening and interviews, Kraft was the unanimous first choice.
“Centers are different from departments and require someone who can deal with complex systems and strong personalities,” said Feussner. “Dr. Kraft's scientific and clinical credentials are impeccable, but in addition, he has excellent executive experience, and his persona is very self-effacing and engaging. Everything about him has the sweet smell of success, and he will do well with us.”
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