Marshall E. Hicks named interim president of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

AUSTIN— University of Texas System Chancellor William H. McRaven announced today the appointment of Marshall E. Hicks, M.D., as interim president of UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.  The appointment will become effective March 21, 2017, following Dr. Ronald A. DePinho’s retirement as president on March 20, 2017.

Hicks, 59, has served as Division Head of Diagnostic Imaging at MD Anderson since 2010. He is one of the institution’s senior and most experienced division heads and has played a leading role in the development of the institution’s Shared Governance Committee.

“Dr. Hicks is a widely respected leader within the MD Anderson family, with nearly 20 years of service on the faculty,” Chancellor McRaven said. “When we discussed potential candidates for the interim presidency, Dr. Hicks’ name came up time and time again. His colleagues throughout the institution have great trust and confidence in him.”

The author of more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications, Dr. Hicks specializes in interventional radiology and served nationally as former president of the Society of Interventional Radiology. He has been a collaborator in many clinical research studies of a wide range of different types of cancers, including, among other sites, those involving the lung, liver, colon, head and neck.

“I am honored to be asked to serve MD Anderson as its interim president,” Hicks said. “This extraordinary institution holds a special place in the hearts of its patients and their families, our outstanding faculty and trainees, our dedicated staff, the Houston community and people across the world.”

Recently-appointed Chief Operating Officer Stephen Hahn, M.D., applauded Hicks’ selection, noting “Marshall is one of our most seasoned leaders on campus and he has been a great partner with me in our efforts to position MD Anderson for the challenges and opportunities ahead. He has a calming and reassuring style that will help us through the leadership transition.”

While serving as interim president, Hicks will appoint an interim head of the Division of Diagnostic Imaging to serve until he returns to that position.

A national search for a permanent president is expected to launch soon and will include the appointment of a search advisory committee. The committee will aim to recommend top candidates to the UT System Board of Regents by the end of 2017.

“Given the national prominence of MD Anderson, we expect significant interest in this position from the most renowned cancer experts in the country,” said UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Raymond Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Greenberg said the search advisory committee “would look for an established leader with proven skills in managing a large and complex health care organization, ideally with both clinical and research expertise.”

About The University of Texas System

Educating students, providing care for patients, conducting groundbreaking basic, applied and clinical research, and serving the needs of Texans and the nation for more than 130 years, The University of Texas System is one of the largest public university systems in the United States. With 14 institutions and an enrollment of more than 228,000, the UT System confers more than one-third of the state’s undergraduate degrees, educates almost two-thirds of the state’s health care professionals annually and accounts for almost 70 percent of all research funds awarded to public institutions in Texas. The UT System’s operating budget for FY 2017 is $17.9 billion, including $3 billion in sponsored programs funded by federal, state, local and private sources. With more than 20,000 faculty – including Nobel laureates and many members of the National Academies – and nearly 80,000 health care professionals, researchers, student advisors and support staff, the UT System is one of the largest employers in the state.