Oncologic Surgeon Named University of Cincinnati Surgery Chair

Cincinnati—The University of Cincinnati (UC) has named Michael Edwards, MD, chair of its surgery department, effective Jan. 1, 2008.

Edwards previously served as chair and professor of the surgery department at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

His practice focuses on breast cancer, melanoma, and complicated gastrointestinal malignancies. Edwards was also chair of UAMS medical staff and held positions on a number of institutional leadership boards charged with improving surgical oncology services and recruiting residents.

A prominent cancer surgeon and experienced leader, Edwards founded and currently chairs a national registry for image-guided breast biopsy. He also has served as principal investigator of several national multi-center clinical trials.

With UC’s recently signed memorandum of understanding with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University Hospital to form a joint cancer program in Cincinnati in place, College of Medicine dean David Stern, MD, says Edwards will add to the future team.

“Our partnership will provide the scientific and intellectual resources to enable us to increase our internationally significant cancer research,” says Stern. “Dr. Edwards will be a valuable addition to this integrated cancer team, and I expect him to play a key role in moving the joint cancer center forward.”

Edwards received his medical degree from Emory University before completing his general surgery residency at the University of Louisville and a management program at Harvard Business School. He then completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

After his training, Edwards returned to the University of Louisville, where he served on the surgery faculty for 12 years with affiliated research positions in the department of physiology and biophysics and the Center for Excellence in Applied Microcirculatory Research.

He succeeds the surgery department’s interim chair, Michael Nussbaum, MD, who has served in this capacity since August 2006.

A member of the UC Physicians group, Edwards will see patients at the UC Barrett Cancer Center at University Hospital and several out-patient clinics. For patient appointments, call (513) 584-8900.