Robbins named cancer institute director

Dr. K. Thomas Robbins has been named director of the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU, having served as interim director of the School of Medicine's institute since January 2004. Robbins' appointment was approved by the SIU Board of Trustees on Thursday., Nov. 10.

"Dr. Robbins has proven himself extremely well qualified to take on this leadership position permanently as he has made tremendous strides moving our developing cancer institute forward, including starting the development of a strategic plan," said Dr. J. Kevin Dorsey, dean and provost. "As both a clinician and a researcher, he brings the experience of both to this position which will serve him well, working with those in the medical school, the SIU campuses in Carbondale and Edwardsville, and the entire downstate region to develop ongoing programs and new initiatives."

Robbins joined SIU in July 2003 as professor and chair of the otolaryngology head and neck surgery division and associate director for clinical services for the cancer institute.

Robbins has gained international recognition for his contributions to the field of head and neck oncology and has served as an invited guest lecturer in many countries from six continents. He is best known for his pioneer work on the use of super-selective intra-arterial chemotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer and development of the widely accepted classification for neck dissection terminology used by surgeons.

Before coming to SIU, Robbins was professor and chair of otolaryngology at both the University of Florida in Gainesville and at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. He previously was director of head and neck oncology at the University of California San Diego and on the faculty of the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, and subsequently at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston .

Robbins served a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at the Institute of Laryngology and Otology in London, England in 1982. Prior to that, he completed his residency in otolaryngology at the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada in 1981. He received his medical degree from Dalhousie University Medical School in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1973 and completed his undergraduate education from Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada in 1969.

The SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute is focusing the medical school's efforts in cancer research, physician and public education, and treatment for patients from across central and Southern Illinois. More than 55 SIU physician and basic science faculty are involved.