Newswise — LOS ANGELES (Jan. 14, 2020) -- Prominent lung cancer expert Karen L. Reckamp, MD, MS, has been selected to be director of the Division of Medical Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. Reckamp also will serve as medical oncology director of the Women's Guild Lung Institute in Cedars-Sinai's Department of Medicine and associate director for Clinical Research at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. She assumes her new posts this week. 

The selection of Reckamp reflects her trailblazing research in advancing treatments and therapies for lung cancer – particularly the most advanced and difficult-to-treat cases – and her distinguished record of clinical research and scholarship. 

In her role as assistant director for Clinical Research, Reckamp will guide the growth of cancer clinical research services across the Cedars-Sinai Health System as well as develop a robust Cedars-Sinai Cancer clinical trial portfolio. 

"Dr. Reckamp is an outstanding addition to our faculty," said Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. "Her deep knowledge of the field and expertise will greatly contribute to positioning the Lung Institute as one of the best in the nation, while providing Cedars-Sinai Cancer patients with exciting new options for lung cancer treatment." 

As medical oncology director in the Lung Institute, Reckamp will concentrate her efforts on developing and overseeing a lung cancer curriculum for the institute and for integrating clinical care with research. She also will serve as co-director of the Lung Cancer Tumor Board.

Additionally, Reckamp will serve as the academic and administrative head of the Division of Medical Oncology, providing leadership and oversight. She will supervise and evaluate the quality of clinical care, Medical Staff effectiveness, and the delivery of inpatient and outpatient clinical activities to ensure the highest level of care for patients and their families.

Reckamp joins Cedars-Sinai from the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, where she served most recently as medical director of the Clinical Research Operations and Clinical Trials Office, chair of the Cancer Center scientific review committee, and as co-director of the Lung Cancer and Thoracic Oncology Program.

Reckamp earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency, both in internal medicine, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, followed by a fellowship in hematology/oncology and a master's degree in clinical research at UCLA. She is the recipient of more than a dozen national honors, scholarships and awards, including the STOP Cancer Carrie Scott Memorial Grant in 2018. Her research has been published in numerous academic medical journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine.

"I am excited about the opportunity to help continue to build a world-class cancer program, offering patients at Cedars-Sinai leading-edge technology, novel therapeutic options and compassionate care," Reckamp said. "The dedication to this mission is evident throughout the institution and surrounding community."

Read more about lung cancer on the Cedars-Sinai blog: Should I Get a Lung Cancer Screening?