NASHVILLE, TENN., June 1, 2016 – Sarah Cannon announce the promotion of David Spigel, MD, to chief scientific officer. The new appointment supports the continuous expansion of Sarah Cannon’s clinical research and drug development programs, which provides patients across the Sarah Cannon Cancer Network with access to novel therapies at the earliest stages.
As chief scientific officer, Spigel oversees the development and operations of Sarah Cannon's clinical research program and works with research physician leaders, biotech and pharma companies to ensure the latest innovative treatments are available to patients. Spigel, who joined Sarah Cannon in 2003 as the director of the lung cancer research program, has played a significant role in the development of immunotherapies and other targeted medicines in clinical trials at Sarah Cannon, that have led to new drug approvals.
“For more than ten years, David Spigel, MD, has been instrumental in bringing the latest targeted therapies to patients through our lung cancer research program,” said Howard A. “Skip” Burris, III, MD, Sarah Cannon’s chief medical officer and president, clinical operations. “With his insight and expertise, we have been able to make great strides in advancing the standard of care for patients across tumor types. Under his leadership, we look forward to continuing to enhance our clinical trial offerings and drug development program to further our mission of advancing therapies for patients.”
In addition to his new responsibilities, Spigel continues to care for patients at Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Nashville, Tenn.
Spigel received his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1992, and medical degree from The University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1996. After completing an internal medicine and chief residency at Indiana University Medical Center, he completed a fellowship in hematology and oncology at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He is board certified in medical oncology. Additionally, he is an associate with Tennessee Oncology, PLLC.
About Sarah Cannon Research Institute
Sarah Cannon Research Institute is the research arm of HCA’s global cancer institute, Sarah Cannon. Focused on advancing therapies for patients, it is one of the world’s leading clinical research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials throughout the United States and United Kingdom. Sarah Cannon’s network of strategic sites includes more than 275 physicians who engage in research. The organization has led more than 220 first-in-man clinical trials since its inception in 1993, and has been a clinical trial leader in more than two-thirds of approved cancer therapies over the last 10 years. Additionally, Sarah Cannon offers management, regulatory, and other research support services for drug development and industry sponsors as well as strategic investigator sites through its contract research organization (CRO), Sarah Cannon Development Innovations (formerly known as SCRI Development Innovations). For more information, visit sarahcannon.com.