Edelson to step down as director of Yale Cancer Center

Richard Edelson, director of the Yale Cancer Center since 2003, has decided to step down from his office and resume his responsibilities in cancer research and as dermatology chair at the Yale School of Medicine full-time, YSM Dean Robert Alpern announced last week.

The change in leadership comes at a moment of transition for the cancer center, which Edelson drastically reorganized and expanded under his directorship, Alpern said. Among Edelson’s administrative achievements was securing the five-year renewal of the cancer center’s core grant from the National Cancer Institute, he said. The NCI grant awards $1.87 million in funding per year to support the center’s research activities, faculty members and facilities. Receiving the competitive grant also ensures that the center continues to enjoy comprehensive status, the most prestigious level of designation from the NCI.

“We owe Rick an extraordinary debt of gratitude,” Alpern said. “At the time of the last search for a director, in 2002-’03, there were significant issues facing the center, which caused real concern within the institution as to whether the core grant would be renewed. Rick selflessly agreed to take over, fixed the problems and renewed the grant.”

Edelson will continue to serve as director while the YSM conducts a national search for his successor, Alpern said. The YSM has formed a committee to oversee the search process, he said.

Source:www.yaledailynews.com