This press release contains dated information and should be used for background only.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Karen Kelly, MD, an internationally
recognized expert in lung cancer, has been named deputy director of
the University of Kansas Cancer Center, professor and Frank B.
Tyler Chair in Cancer Research, effective today.
Dr. Kelly most recently served as director of the Clinical
Thoracic Oncology Program and professor of medical oncology at the
University of Colorado Cancer Center, which is designated as a
Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Kelly helped build the CU Cancer Center into one of the
foremost lung cancer research and treatment facilities in the world
and will play a key role in helping the KU Cancer Center achieve
the prestigious NCI designation, currently held by just 39
institutions in the nation.
"We are indeed fortunate to attract an internationally
recognized clinical oncologist like Dr. Kelly to help us build our
program and achieve NCI designation," said Barbara Atkinson,
executive vice chancellor of the Medical Center and executive dean
of the School of Medicine. "Her exceptional clinical
skills, administrative ability, and experience in developing and
completing innovative clinical trials are a tremendous asset to our
efforts."
A native of Derby, Kan., Dr. Kelly received her medical degree
from the University of Kansas and went on to complete her residency
and fellowship at CU’s Health Sciences Center.
As part of her career focus on the prevention, screening, early
detection and treatment of lung cancer, Dr. Kelly has designed
groundbreaking clinical trials that have earned her national
acclaim. She is a leader in the International Association for
the Study of Lung Cancer, the Southwest Oncology Group, and the
American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer worldwide, primarily
due to the lack of a reliable screening test to detect lung cancer
in a curative stage as well as ineffective therapies for advanced
stages of the disease. But Dr. Kelly and her fellow lung
cancer researchers are optimistic about recent discoveries.
"In the past three years, we’ve made historic advances
in understanding the biology of lung cancer that have translated
into current therapies." She says a validated CT
screening test may be only a few years away.
At KU, Dr. Kelly plans to develop a comprehensive lung cancer
program as well as a wide-ranging cancer clinical and research
program overall. She hopes to expand patient involvement in
clinical trials so area residents have access to leading-edge drugs
to treat their cancer.
"Dr. Kelly has played a leading role in numerous clinical trials
that have defined the state of the art in lung cancer
treatment," said Roy Jensen, MD, director of the KU Cancer
Center. "She embraces the concept of caring for the
whole patient with a multidisciplinary team approach using clinical
research that continuously improves outcomes in cancer
patients."
Dr. Kelly is pleased to return to her home state. "As a
Kansas native, I not only have an inherent understanding of the
people the University of Kansas Medical Center serves, I also have
a strong desire to contribute to improving the health and quality
of life of my fellow Kansans."