Vanderbilt University Medical Center names new chair of radiation oncology

Lisa Kachnic, MD, has been named the new professor and chair of radiation oncology at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She officially takes over the role on Sept. 21.

Kachnic is the president-elect of the American Board of Radiology and a fellow of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. She also belongs to the American Society of Clinical Oncology and sits on the editorial boards of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and Gastrointestinal Cancer Research.

Previously, Kachnic was the professor and chair of radiation oncology and associate director of multidisciplinary cancer research at the Boston University School of Medicine, where she had been working since 2000.

"Dr. Kachnic comes to Vanderbilt as a nationally recognized clinician, researcher and educator who will further mold our programs for national leadership in all three missions, on the 21st Avenue campus and at satellite programs throughout the region,” Jeff Balser, MD, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, said in a statement. “Lisa brings a very strong research portfolio, a major national leadership profile and a superb history of mentoring junior faculty."

Discussing her new position, Kachnic praised Vanderbilt’s cancer center and looked ahead to the future.

“One of my incentives for joining Vanderbilt is the wonderful opportunity that exists here for both clinical and translational cancer research,” she said in a statement. “With a renowned cancer center, the Radiation Oncology Department will be in the fortunate position of being able to perform multi-disciplinary cutting-edge research that can directly benefit our patients.”