Cedars-Sinai Taps Robert Figlin, MD, to Lead New Initiative to Integrate Cancer Care and Treatment Across Health System

Contact Diane Wedner | Email: diane.wedner@cshs.org

Los Angeles — Oct. 13, 2016 — In an effort to standardize cancer care and ensure optimal treatment of patients, Cedars-Sinai has appointed a prominent oncologist to integrate research and clinical strategies across the organization.

Robert A. Figlin, MD, will serve as deputy director of the Integrated Oncology Service Line at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute. Previously, he was director of the Hematology Oncology Division at the institute.

In his new role, Figlin will work with clinicians and investigators to unify the health system's approach to treating cancer. The integration of cancer care means patients will get the same level of quality services whether they're treated at Cedars-Sinai's main campus or at one of its highly regarded affiliates, including Tower Hematology Oncology and The Angeles Clinic.

"Dr. Figlin was tailor-made to do this," said Steven Piantadosi, MD, PhD, director of the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute and professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai. "He's an experienced leader who knows cancer care in the Cedars-Sinai system, throughout Los Angeles and beyond."

A kidney cancer specialist, Figlin will continue working to develop clinical trials, translate research findings from the laboratory to the clinical setting and lead initiatives such as Cedars-Sinai's effort to contain the high cost of cancer drugs.

Figlin, who joined Cedars-Sinai six years ago, is the Steven Spielberg Family Chair in Hematology Oncology. Since his arrival, he has established the Experimental Therapeutics Program and successfully recruited clinical and research faculty in critical specialty areas such as breast cancer, bone marrow transplant, gastrointestinal oncology, genitourinary oncology, survivorship and cancer biology, among many other achievements.

His new position, he says, will provide additional opportunities to enhance the lives of cancer patients, while advancing significant research goals.

"This position presents an opportunity to improve cancer care for our patients at Cedars-Sinai," Figlin said. "Contributing to cancer science allows me to wake up each day and feel as though I'm making an important difference."

About Cedars-Sinai

Cedars-Sinai is a leader in providing high-quality healthcare encompassing primary care, specialized medicine and research. Since 1902, Cedars-Sinai has evolved to meet the needs of one of the most diverse regions in the nation, setting standards in quality and innovative patient care, research, teaching and community service. Today, Cedars-Sinai is known for its national leadership in transforming healthcare for the benefit of patients. Cedars-Sinai impacts the future of healthcare by developing new approaches to treatment and educating tomorrow's health professionals. Additionally, Cedars-Sinai demonstrates a commitment to the community through programs that improve the health of its most vulnerable residents.