Dennis E. Hallahan, MD, Elizabeth H. and James S. McDonnell III Distinguished Professor in Medicine, is the new head of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Washington University School of Medicine. He is also serving on the senior leadership team of the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University.
Hallahan conducts research to identify new molecular targets for cancer therapy and to develop drugs that improve cancer response to radiation therapy while minimizing the effect on normal tissues. He has published scientific articles about radiotherapy treatment for many types of cancers including brain, head and neck, lung, breast and prostate cancers as well as lymphoma and childhood neoplasms.
Jeff M. Michalski, MD, professor and former interim head of radiation oncology, has been named vice chair and director of clinical programs for the department. Michalski oversees the clinical division of the department, which includes clinical operations at all treatment facilities as well as clinical and translational research. He also manages physician resident, fellow and medical student training and education. He will oversee the department’s brachytherapy center, proton therapy center, gamma knife center, and community and off-campus programs.
The radiation oncology department, one of the largest in the country, is recognized as a national leader in development and clinical implementation of major technical breakthroughs in radiation treatments for cancer patients. Recently, the department expanded its cancer biology, medical physics and clinical divisions and created a new division in bioinformatics and outcomes research.