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Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., is the 12th Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a federal agency of over 4,000 employees and a fiscal year 2003 budget of nearly $4.7 billion. A nationally recognized urologic surgeon, Dr. von Eschenbach has dedicated his professional life and administrative expertise to eliminating the suffering and death due to cancer. His distinguished career as a key leader in the fight against cancer spans three decades and is fueled by a passionate commitment to rapidly translate the fruits of scientific discovery to all who are in need.
Prior to accepting the appointment to lead the NCI in January 2002, Dr. von Eschenbach directed both the Genitourinary Cancer Center and the Prostate Cancer Research Program at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of the nation's top scientific research institutions. As the founder and driving force behind the Center's Prostate Cancer Research Program, his dynamic leadership is credited with fostering model integrated research programs in the biology, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment of prostate cancer.
From 1997 to 1999, Dr. von Eschenbach served as Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, leading a faculty of approximately 1,000 cancer researchers and clinicians. In addition, he held the distinguished Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Clinical Research Distinguished Chair in Urologic Oncology.
Dr. von Eschenbach arrived at M. D. Anderson as a urologic oncology fellow in 1976 and was invited to join the faculty a year later. In 1983 - just six years after joining the staff - he was named chairman of the Department of Urology. Other positions he held include Consulting Professor of Cell Biology and Professor of Urology.
Dr. von Eschenbach, himself a two-time cancer survivor, has had an impact on the fight against cancer that extends beyond the research, clinical, and academic communities. He is a founding member of the National Dialogue on Cancer and was president-elect of the American Cancer Society at the time of his appointment to the NCI. In addition, he has contributed more than 200 articles, books, and book chapters to the scientific literature. Dr. von Eschenbach has also served as an editorial board member of several leading journals and on a number of organizational boards.
Dr. von Eschenbach has been widely recognized for his leadership in the fight against cancer by many influential organizations. Earlier this year, Dr. von Eschenbach was selected to deliver the American Urological Association's prestigious Ramon Guiteras Lecture at its annual meeting in Chicago. He was also awarded an honorary degree from his medical school alma mater, Georgetown University School of Medicine, in April. Dr. von Eschenbach has also received the Julie Rogers "Spirit of Love" award for exemplary dedication, commitment, and spirit in the fight against cancer; the Achievement Award in Prostate Cancer from Partners in Courage for outstanding support and leadership; the Medical Award of Excellence from Cancer Counseling; and the Certificate of Meritorious Service for Outstanding Contributions to Prostate Disease Research from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
A native of Philadelphia, Dr. von Eschenbach earned a B.S. from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia in 1963 and his medical degree from Georgetown University Medical School in 1967. Dr. von Eschenbach completed residencies in general surgery and urology at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia before becoming an instructor in urology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He also served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps.
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