December 13, 2022
CHARLOTTE– Dr. Ruben A. Mesa has been named president and executive director of Atrium Health’s cancer service line – which includes Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center – and vice dean for cancer programs at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
Mesa will assume the roles filled by Dr. Derek Raghavan, who had previously announced his mid-January 2023 retirement and by Dr. William Blackstock, professor and chair of radiation oncology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who has served as interim director of Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center since February.
Mesa will advance the growth and development of the health system’s cancer center and the entire cancer service line. He will be responsible for all aspects of the cancer program, including clinical operations, research, education, community outreach and diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Dr. Mesa is a nationally renowned researcher, academic and oncology expert who has been at the forefront of cutting-edge advancement for cancer prevention, screening and treatment across the country,” said Eugene A. Woods, CEO of Advocate Health, of which Atrium Health is a part. “Most importantly, he has a patient-first philosophy and will be the chief advocate leading the charge in the battle against cancer.”
Mesa serves as executive director of the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson and professor of medicine at UT Health Science Center San Antonio. He has dedicated his career to research and drug development for myeloproliferative neoplasms – a group of chronic leukemias that can cause bone marrow problems, acute leukemia and premature death.
Over the past 11 years, Mesa has led or co-led the development of six drugs that have been FDA-approved for chronic leukemias. He has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator for more than 100 cancer clinical trials, including numerous global Phase III trials.
Mesa’s accomplishments during his tenure at UT Health San Antonio include leading the planning and design of a new research specialty hospital to focus on cancer, integrating cancer prevention and screening practice and research activities, and expanding oversight for Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute – one of only two institutes in the country dedicated solely to pediatric cancer research.