Position summary:
The Department of Internal Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) seeks a nationally
recognized, dynamic, and visionary leader, to become its next Division Chief of Hematology and Oncology
and the inaugural Deputy Director for the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive
Cancer Center (IUSCCC). This is a unique moment for the division—a new hospital and cancer pavilion to
open in 2027, recent major gifts in immunotherapy and breast cancer, an impressive clinical trials
infrastructure, a strong relationship with neighboring Eli Lilly, and a health system that has prioritized and
is willing to invest in cancer—this is an opportunity for an incoming Chief to really build up a division of
substantial impact.
As the inaugural IUSCCC Deputy Director, this leader will have the unparalleled opportunity to foster
interdisciplinary collaboration, drive innovation across the cancer care and research space, and promote
a cooperative partnership between the division and the IUSCCC. This leader has the levers to effect change
in a state-wide cancer treatment strategy, to build the research and education arms of a storied division
and cancer center, and to elevate the IUSCCC as one of the top 25 cancer centers in the country.
The Division of Hematology and Oncology is one of the largest subspecialty divisions within the
Department of Internal Medicine, consisting of 193 members, including clinical faculty, physician-scientists,
research scientists, advanced practice providers, learners, and staff located at multiple sites
across Indiana University Health (IU Health). Members of the division deliver cancer care over the entire
state of Indiana in IU Health’s 17 hospitals and clinics. This statewide system provides the opportunity to
pioneer innovative approaches across diverse communities and in a variety of different clinical settings.
The faculty have a broad range of expertise in carrying out bench-to-bedside research, providing care to
patients and survivors impacted by all cancer types, and educating the next generation of physicians and
researchers.
This Division Chief will also hold the role of inaugural Deputy Director of the IUSCCC, the only National
Cancer Institute (NCI) designated comprehensive cancer center in Indiana and one of just 56 in the nation.
The center has nearly 250 researchers who conduct all phases of cancer research, from laboratory studies
to clinical trials to population-based studies that address environmental and behavioral factors that
contribute to cancer. Best known for developing the cure for testicular cancer, IUSCCC researchers also
have led treatment advances for breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, genitourinary cancer, hematologic
disorders, thoracic cancer, and thymoma and thymic carcinoma. Researchers currently hold 459 grants
that total more than $60 million in external funding.
Reporting to the Chair of Internal Medicine, the next Division Chief will be a respected physician and
successful researcher who has a deep commitment to the tripartite mission inclusive of optimizing clinical
care; supporting discovery, translational, clinical, and health services research; mentoring faculty and
fellows; and guiding administrative, budgetary, and philanthropic efforts. This position offers an
opportunity to strengthen the alignment of the academic mission with clinical growth in a growing statewide
health system. The next Division Chief will be a transparent, collaborative, and creative leader who will be a
champion for innovation, have an inclusive leadership mindset, and a passion for engaging multidisciplinary
teams in a matrixed environment. This leader will exemplify and encourage a culture of inclusivity,
mentorship and professional development, have a team-based approach, and recruit highly qualified
faculty, staff, and trainees.
An MD or MD/PhD, with board certification in hematology and/or medical oncology is required. The
successful candidate will have a record commensurate with appointment at the rank of associate or full
professor in the division. IUSM has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist
with this search. Inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to the firm as
indicated at the end of this document. For more information on IU Health and the Indiana University
School of Medicine, the Department of Internal Medicine, and the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center,
please visit the appendix.
ABOUT THE DIVISION OF HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
The Division of Hematology and Oncology at IUSM is a nationally recognized division with a rich legacy of
landmark contributions to cancer care and hematologic science and strong institutional support. Notable
accomplishments include Dr. Lawrence Einhorn’s curative cisplatin-based therapy for testicular cancer
and Dr. Hal Broxmeyer’s pioneering work in cord blood transplantation. Today, the division is home to a
robust and growing research enterprise with strengths spanning basic, translational, and clinical research.
It plays a central role in advancing the mission of the IUSCCC, one of only 56 NCI-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Indiana, where 39,000 Hoosiers are diagnosed annually. IU
Health sees 21,000 new diagnoses every year. The majority of adult cancer care in the state occurs in
Indianapolis at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center, but cancer care also takes place at other facilities such as IU Health Methodist Hospital, IU Health West Cancer Center, IU Health Schwartz Cancer Center, and
Eskenazi Health. The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center also has a strong and active partnership
with IUSM and IU Health. Pediatric cancer care takes place at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health. IU
Health Simon Cancer Center physicians at Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health and IU Health University
Hospital are recognized nationally for their bone marrow and stem cell transplantation programs.
Physician scientists in the Hematology and Oncology division have made protocol-defining discoveries
that have changed the way physicians treat testicular cancer, breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer,
genitourinary cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma, thymoma and thymic carcinomas, and thoracic
cancers.
The Hematology and Oncology Division is one of 10 divisions within the Department of Internal Medicine
at IUSM. The division has a total of 73 full-time clinical faculty members, including 44 clinical faculty, 10
physician-scientists, and 19 research faculty. Several specific, cancer-related, innovative programs are
housed in the division including the Rapid Diagnostic Clinic, which is a multidisciplinary approach to
reducing time from diagnosis to treatment; the Cancer Prevention Clinic, which supports individuals who
have an increased risk of cancer diagnosis; and the Multidisciplinary Oncology Vitality and Exercise
(MOVE) program, which involves a multidisciplinary team that helps patients to improve or sustain their
health and physical function. The division also has significant and long-standing efforts in global oncology
and is one of the leading US institutions in both research and implementation in this area. The Academic
Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) was created under IU leadership over 30 years ago in
partnership with Moi University School of Medicine and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya. In
2003, the IUSCCC began a collaboration to build the oncology workforce and care services through the
AMPATH model which now delivers multidisciplinary care to over 150 patients daily and has one of the
most comprehensive prevention, treatment, and palliative care program for cancer patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Replication of the model is now ongoing in Nepal, Ghana, and Mexico.
Research in the Hematology and Oncology Division is closely tied to the groundbreaking research
programs in the IUSCCC, where much of the division holds membership. Over 50 years ago, Dr. Lawrence
Einhorn pioneered the use of chemotherapy to cure testicular cancer and significant efforts in survivorship
of patients are supported in this area today. For the past 35 years, IUSCCC has widely been recognized as
the international center for thymic malignancy care and continues to define the genomic profiles for
primary versus metastatic thymoma as well as conduct multiple clinical trials. Breast cancer investigators
are applying precision genomic approaches in symptom science to predict treatment toxicity and to
discover biomarkers in metastatic breast cancer. IU performs the greatest number of pancreatic cancer
procedures in the country and investigators are focused on early detection and biomarker discovery. In
2024, the division brought in $36 million in research funding, including $8.7 million in federal funding and
$21 million for clinical trial research. IUSM has published multiple landmark trials in the areas of lung,
colon, bladder, breast, pancreas, ovarian, thymic and germ cell tumors, anti-emetics, quality of life and
survivorship.
The IUSCCC houses three major research programs: Cancer Prevention and Control, Experimental and
Developmental Therapeutics, and Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis, and centers such as the
Brown Center for Immunotherapy, Center for Global Oncology, Tom and Julie Wood Center for Lung
Cancer Research, and the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research. The IUSCCC
facilitates investigator-initiated clinical trials and provides core facilities and infrastructure critical to
advancing cancer science. The IUSCC Clinical Trials Office (CTO) currently supports 300 clinical trials with
100 trials actively enrolling. The majority of clinical trials are conducted by members of the division.
Established in 1975 by Dr. Lawrence Einhorn, the Hematology-Oncology Fellowship is one of the oldest in
the country. It combines well-rounded clinical training with opportunities to work with world-class
investigators in a collegial environment. The division enrolls 16 ACGME-accredited fellows in its threeyear fellowship. In 2025, a combined palliative care Hematology/Oncology fellowship was added. Fellows
work in both inpatient and outpatient services, providing care and consultative services in hematology
and medical oncology to a varied population of patients. Graduates from IU School of Medicine have a
long track of success, including two ASCO presidents, one ASH president, four ASCO presidential
candidates, and ten faculty who have served as chairs on various ECOG committees.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DIVISION CHIEF OF HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY
The next Division Chief will report to the Chair of the largest department within the School of Medicine
and will work in direct partnership with the IUSCCC Director, along with other IUSM and IU Health leaders.
Direct reports to the Chief include the Clinical Service Line Leader, the Associate Director of Research, and
the Associate Director of Education. The division’s Service Line administrator and the Division
Administrator actively partner with and informally report to the Division Chief.
The Division Chief will have strategic oversight of a mission critical division of the institution at a time of
change and evolution both locally and nationally. The Chief will be an adept manager and creative
problem-solver who can inspire a large team through a period of clinical expansion while maintaining
excellence in research and educational programs. Playing a vital role in coordinating cancer-related care
at IU Health, the next Chief will be an engaged partner to other cancer leaders and IUSM leadership,
balancing advocacy for divisional interests with the needs of IU Health overall, as the success of each relies
on the success of both.
To succeed in this role, the Chief will address several key opportunities and challenges, as detailed below.
Provide a strategic vision that supports research, patient care, and education
The Chief will inspire a clear and ambitious vision for the division, charting a direction that aligns with the
priorities of the Department of Medicine, IUSM, IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, IU Health
leadership, and the IU Health Simon Cancer Center. The division operates in a matrixed environment with
multiple areas of engagement and commitment, and the Chief will be expected to collaborate closely with relevant stakeholders in creating and executing a plan that takes the division to new heights across the
clinical, research, and educational programs. In thinking about the future, the Chief will also be charged
with ensuring that faculty members, staff, and learners are supported in their work, including influencing
compensation and resource allocation models to better support academic missions.
There are many exciting opportunities for the division to capitalize on while building a strategic plan for
the future. This includes the development of a new cancer care facility in the new medical campus being
created in downtown Indianapolis and a transition to EPIC in 2027. This also includes an opportunity to
grow the clinical trials arm in the division, leaning on the strong clinical trials infrastructure already in
place. Additionally, the Chief will be backed by a health system that is ready to invest in cancer, giving this
incoming leader a chance to take stock of the strengths and gaps in the division and build a program that
is cutting edge across the tripartite mission areas and is highly responsive in serving the cancer care needs
of the state.
Promote research excellence
IU has long been a powerhouse for discovery science, and the division’s faculty have a long-stemming,
impressive track record of discovery in basic, translational, clinical, and health services research activities.
With growth opportunities in research across the basic-clinical continuum, the Division Chief will nurture
a strong culture of communication and cross-collaboration among division faculty and reinvigorate a
culture of academic engagement, prioritizing the development of physician-scientists. There is a specific
growth opportunity to grow the clinical trials arm, offering more clinical trials to more patients. Around
80 percent of the clinical trials at IU Health are conducted by hematology and oncology faculty and
supported by the IUSCCC CTO. A focus of these effortsis to shape and expand innovative clinical programs
and early-phase clinical trials statewide, as well as support cutting-edge foundational and translational
research.
Nurture innovation in clinical care
The division is comprised of talented faculty who provide exceptional and compassionate care to cancer
patients. At the IU Health Simon Cancer Center and other clinical sites, these faculty physicians focus on
surgical, medical, and radiation oncology. This team of IUSM educators also participates in the
implementation of Perfexion Gamma Knife Therapy and the Precision Genomics Program. This Chief role
is one that comes with the opportunity to materially impact the health of a state and region. Partnering
closely with the cancer center, the division should aim high in its goal to design a clinical care model that
is responsive to the needs of the state’s population and is innovative in its delivery.
Recruit, develop, and retain diverse faculty, staff, and trainees
To support the growth goals of the division, the next Chief will need to have an eye for recruiting top
talent. They will promote the recruitment of talented physician-scientists, research scientists, and staff
while mindfully optimizing the composition of the division and its clinical needs. In concert with research
leaders in the division and at the cancer center, the Chief will provide mentorship and support to
physician-scientists already in the division, especially research-focused early career faculty, and address
retention issues as they arise, such as compensation in a competitive market. The Chief must identify and
implement real pathways for growth and build structures for formal mentoring for all members of the
division.
Champion the interests and culture of the Division of Hematology and Oncology
Given the complex and matrixed environment of IUSM and IU Health, the division needs a champion who
will advocate for the division in its efforts across the enterprise. The Chief will need to guide the division
through significant transitions, including relocation to a new hospital campus and the implementation of
EPIC electronic health records. They will also need to leverage deep collaborations with IU Health, IUSCCC,
and industry partners like Eli Lilly, whether it is for joint recruitments or philanthropic efforts. This leader
must also galvanize and inspire continued success across all missions, serving as a champion for faculty,
staff, and fellows, connecting their work to the broader missions of the department, school, and cancer
center.
The Chief will set cultural expectations, establish and maintain trust through a high level of transparency
and communication, and have an unwavering commitment to inclusive excellence. This leader will
maintain high standards with respect to professionalism and integrity. With the goal of breaking down
siloes and operational barriers, the Chief will drive efforts to foster community across the division,
including among all levels of staff.
Foster forward-thinking educational opportunities to train the next generation of hematologists and
oncologists
The division offers subspecialty fellowship training in hematology and/or medical oncology and attracts
nationally competitive trainees. Fellows obtain extensive clinical experience and have an opportunity for
in-depth study in clinical, basic, or translational research. The combination of training in patient care and
research provides physicians with strong clinical skills and the foundation for a successful career in
academics, industry, or clinical practice. The Division Chief will be tasked with taking a close look at the
fellowship with an eye toward strengthening the skills of its fellows in the areas of quality assessment,
clinical trial protocols, and research. They must embrace the educational mission of the division as central
to all that it does, placing learners at the center while incorporating research and practice into education.
Provide financial oversight and ensure the continued financial success of the division
The Division Chief will be financially knowledgeable and accountable and thus guiding the division’s
financial planning with the assistance of a business manager from the Division and the Department of
Medicine. They will grasp complex funds flow, utilize alternative payment models, increase funds through strategic management of clinical care, address issues of compensation and incentivization, manage
expectations around financial issues, and be adaptive to change. The Division Chief oversees a budget of
$36.6 million, of which $21 million is from patient care revenue and $7.8 million is from NIH research
funding. The Division Chief will also engage in philanthropic activities that support divisional efforts.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
The successful candidate must have: an MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent clinical doctoral degree with board-certification; significant experience as a clinical leader at an academic medical center; an outstanding
record of scholarly accomplishment and national recognition in hematology or oncology; a demonstrated
track record of extramurally funded research for clinical investigation, translational research, basic
laboratory studies, and/or health services research; a strong commitment to education across a broad
spectrum of learners; a record commensurate with appointment to the rank of associate or full professor;
and be eligible for licensure in Indiana. The Division Chief will also possess the following qualities and
characteristics:
-
An ability to foster a highly collaborative academic environment
- A track record of partnering with a broad set of stakeholders
- Exceptional leadership skills, with the proven ability to foster a spirit of unity and collaboration
- Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with faculty, administration, and
trainees, as well as medical, nursing, and technical staff
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Experience in working within a highly matrixed environment
- Proven effectiveness in a complex system of distributed leadership
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of excellence, equity, and innovation
- A strong advocate and facile negotiator in a complex, dynamic environment
- A detailed and nuanced understanding of both research and clinical practice in hematology and
oncology
- A respectful, inclusive, compassionate, and supportive management style
- Demonstrated experience in recruiting and retaining top faculty and fellows through active
mentorship
- Exceptional planning and organizational skills, superb follow-through, and timely task completion
- A record of complex financial, budgeting, and resource management skills
- Personal qualities which include kindness, humility, inclusivity, creativity, flexibility, tenacity,
courage, a sense of humor, optimism, and unquestionable integrity
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA
Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city in the state of Indiana. It is growing economically thanks
to a strong corporate base anchored by the life sciences. Indiana is home to one of the nation’s largest concentrations of health sciences companies. Indianapolis has a sophisticated blend of charm and culture
with a wonderful balance of business and leisure. The growing residential base is supported by rich
amenities and quality of life – the city possesses a variety of professional sports, arts venues, and outdoor
recreation areas. Residents of this dynamic city and surrounding suburbs enjoy leading educational
systems and top-ranked universities paired with a diverse population. Indianapolis International Airport
is a top-ranked international airport that has been named “Best Airport in North America” by Airports
Council International for many years. For additional information on life in Indy follow this link.
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to:
Randi Herrick, Partner
Jane McInerney, Senior Associate
Maya Bennett, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller
Electronic submission of materials at this link is strongly encouraged.
Indiana University is an equal employment and Affirmative Action Employer and a provider of ADA
services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age,
ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information,
marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not
discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities, including employment and
admissions, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S.
Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana
University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information. The Annual Security
and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University
campuses in available online. You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at
iups@iu.edu
IUSM is committed to being a welcoming campus community and we seek candidates whose research,
teaching, and community engagement efforts contribute to robust learning and working environments
for all students, staff, and faculty. We invite individuals who will join us in our mission to improve health
equity and well-being for all throughout the state of Indiana.
APPENDIX
Indiana University School of Medicine & IU Health System
The Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM) is the largest medical school in the United States with
nine campuses, more than 2,000 students, and nearly 7,200 full-time, part-time and volunteer faculty and
2,558 staff. Comprised of five basic science departments and 20 clinical departments, IUSM physicians
and scientists were awarded approximately $546 million in research grants and awards in 2024 to study
the underlying causes of disease, the development of new treatments, and how to improve the delivery
of care. NIH funding to the IUSM totaled over $248 million in 2024, ranking it 13th for all public medical
schools and 30th for all medical schools in the United States. IUSM also benefits from philanthropic
investments and industry partnerships that enhance innovation in research, clinical care, and education.
IU Health, comprised of 17 hospitals, is the largest network of physicians in the state and is distinctive for
its strong partnership with IUSM, giving patients access to leading-edge medicine and treatment.
Additionally, IU Health is constructing a new downtown hospital in Indianapolis, consolidating operations
from Methodist and University Hospitals. The new 323,000 square foot building will have 864 beds, 50
operating rooms, and 110 emergency care spaces, and it will house cancer, cardiovascular, and
neuroscience institutes. The IUSM will also have a new medical education and research building on the
same campus, providing classrooms, labs, simulation rooms, and research space and fostering closer
proximity between medical education and clinical practice. Construction is underway, with the $5 billion
hospital scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2027.
The Department of Internal Medicine
As the largest clinical department at the IUSM, the Department of Medicine (DOM) is a leader in the
advancement of patient care, education, and research. Stewarding the tripartite mission of IUSM, the
DOM continues to set a standard of excellence for Medicine departments. The department is home to 10
divisions with more than 1,144 faculty statewide, 251 residents, and 109 fellows. In 2024, the DOM
provided compassionate care over 286,712 patient visits, while advancing knowledge and practice
through over 1,000 manuscripts. There are 20 active research centers affiliated with the department,
which brought in $141 million in grant funding, with $63 million in NIH awards in FY24. The department
ranked 30th in NIH funding among all departments of internal medicine at public medical schools in the
United States. The department is responsible for about a third of IUSM’s total publications and roughly
40% of the school’s high-impact publications.
Caring for over half the patients that come to IU Health, the DOM’s divisions are a unique strength of the
department. The department is organized into 10 divisions, each advancing the tripartite mission. These
include the divisions of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Cardiovascular Medicine (CVM), Clinical
Pharmacology, Gastroenterology & Hepatology (GI), Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep & Occupational Medicine, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Infectious Diseases (ID), Rheumatology and Hematology &
Oncology. Each division chief is paired with a division administrator who oversees divisional operations.
Faculty physician specialists within the Department of Medicine provide patient-centered, quality-driven
care in all areas of internal medicine across the state of Indiana. In addition to providing care for patients,
clinical care is a key component to the education and training of medical students, residents and fellows.
Trainees work alongside faculty to enhance clinical care and to progress the field of internal medicine.
IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and the IU Health Simon Cancer Center
Established in 1992 as the Indiana University Cancer Center, the IU center became an NCI-designated
cancer center in 1999 and a Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2019. The center was renamed the Indiana
University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center in 2006 after a generous $50 million donation. The IU
Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) serves as a central hub of cancer research across Indiana
University. The IU Health Simon Cancer Center is the clinical facility where patient care is delivered.
Through a partnership with IU Health, cancer patients benefit from the scientific discoveries made at the
IUSCCC. The center’s patient care building brings together multidisciplinary teams for patients that
combine treatment, research, and supportive care in a manner that is individualized for each person. The
IUSCCC offers more than 700 adult and pediatric clinical trials, and because of the reach of the Hoosier
Cancer Research Network (HCRN), the community outreach arm of the center, every Hoosier is within 60
miles of a clinical research site. Co-founded by leadership of the IUSCCC, the HCRN, formerly Hoosier
Oncology Group, offers ease of access to clinical studies for patients in rural parts of the state so they can
receive their treatments close to their homes. Similarly, leadership from the IUSCCC also co-founded the
Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (BTRC), which represents the largest community of NCI-Designated
Cancer Centers of any athletic conference in the country. Both the HCRN and the BTCRC provide the
opportunity for IU faculty to conduct investigator initiated trials outside of NCI mechanisms.
Also of note, the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center – the first and only such bank
-- collects breast tissue samples from women without breast cancer. By collecting samples from women
without breast cancer, researchers may be able to determine the differences between healthy and
cancerous tissue, which will lead to a better understanding of the cellular changes of the disease. The
bank’s samples are available to researchers around the world.
As for the future, the center’s members serve as teachers to the next generation of physicians and
researchers. As educators, the research members teach nearly 2,000 students, residents, and fellows each
year. Overall, the center offers training programs for students ranging from high-school students to
postgraduates.
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