The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center (JWCI)is pleased to welcomeMark Faries, MD, FACS, one of the nation’s leading melanoma researchers, back. Dr. Faries, a former JWCI Surgical Oncology Fellow, will start on September 6, 2011 as Director of Melanoma Research Program and Co-Director of the JWCI Fellowship Program.
“The John Wayne Melanoma Program is one of the absolute best in the world,†Dr. Faries explained as his reason for returning. “It has defined the nature of melanoma treatment and will continue to do so into the future. The history of the institution, the available resources and the enthusiastic support of Saint John’s, all make it possible to anticipate an outstanding future here.â€
Dr. Faries has a long history with JWCI. After completing his fellowship, he took a position as the Director of Translational Tumor Immunology, where he worked on research relating to cancer in the lymphatic system as well as melanoma and immunotherapy. He left JWCI to become an Associate Professor of Surgery and Dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine where he opened the Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial and worked on trials of local immunotherapy.
“We are excited that Dr. Faries has decided to return to the John Wayne Cancer Institute,†said Lou Lazatin, President and CEO of Saint John’s and JWCI.
Upon his return, Dr. Faries will re-initiate the adoptive immunotherapy program as well as work with JWCI founder Donald L. Morton, MD, to aid in the completion of the international MSLT clinical trials regarding sentinel lymph node biopsy. He will also continue the Isolated Hepatic Perfusion research he had participated in prior to going to Yale.
About Saint John’s Health Center
Since its founding in 1942 by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Saint John’s Health Center has been providing the patients and families of Santa Monica, West Los Angeles and ocean communities with breakthrough medicine and inspired healing. For more information: www.newstjohns.org.
About the John Wayne Cancer Institute
Since 1981, the John Wayne name has been committed by the Wayne family to groundbreaking cancer research in memory of the much-loved actor who died of cancer. The John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., has received worldwide acclaim for advances in understanding the disease, focusing on melanoma (skin cancer), breast, brain, prostate, colon, pancreatic, lung and liver cancer. For more information: www.jwci.org.
