Appointment Adds to Multidisciplinary Approach to Treating Cancer

NEW YORK CITY, NY (March 5, 2009) -- A prominent cancer researcher and surgeon from the National Cancer Institute, Steven Libutti, M.D., has been appointed professor and vice chair of surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and at Montefiore Medical Center, the University Hospital and Academic Medical Center for Einstein. The announcement was made jointly by Allen M. Spiegel, M.D., The Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean of Einstein and Steven M. Safyer, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Montefiore.

"Steve's tremendous strengths as both a clinician and a researcher will allow him to contribute a vast depth of knowledge, experience and leadership to his new roles at Einstein and Montefiore, broadening the scope of what we, as complementary institutions, can accomplish together. We're very excited to have Steve join the Einstein and Montefiore family," said Dr. Spiegel.

"As an internationally recognized leader in cancer research and surgery, Dr. Libutti brings both experience and renown to our team of superb researchers and clinicians, furthering our goal of becoming a notable center of excellence in cancer care," said Dr. Safyer.  "Dr. Libutti will play a key role in advancing the partnership of Einstein science and Montefiore medicine, bringing the most innovative treatments possible to the patients in our care."

Dr. Libutti will also play an important role at the Albert Einstein Cancer Center, where he will serve as associate director for clinical services. "The growth of surgical oncology at Montefiore adds an important new dimension to our Cancer Center," said Dr. I. David Goldman, the Center's director. "Steve will lead the development of multidisciplinary disease-specific clinical teams that will provide the highest caliber of clinical care and will be a focal point for the development of innovative clinical trials and translational research." Dr. Libutti will serve as director of the new Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care that will focus on multidisciplinary cancer care.

"The Montefiore-Einstein Center for Cancer Care will transform the way we deliver care to cancer patients. We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Libutti lead this new Center," said Robert Michler, M.D., surgeon-in-chief, professor and chairman of the departments of surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at Einstein and Montefiore.

Dr. Libutti comes from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) where he was senior investigator and chief of the Tumor Angiogenesis Section. His research at NCI focused on the formation of new blood vessels, which nourish tumors, as well as the interaction among tumor cells, endothelial cells, and components of the tumor microenvironment that influence tumor growth and spread. Earlier this year, Dr. Libutti and collaborators reported on a novel method for delivering therapeutic genes to the blood vessels of tumors in mice.

Dr. Libutti is also an internationally recognized expert in endocrine surgery, providing surgical consultation and treatment for patients with disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. In addition, he treats endocrine tumors in the pancreas and has been active in the surgical management of liver and gastrointestinal tumors.

Dr. Libutti received his bachelor's degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.  He completed his surgical residency at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York, and a fellowship in surgical oncology and endocrine surgery in the Surgery Branch at NCI. He then joined the staff of the Surgery Branch where he was senior investigator and chief of the Tumor Angiogenesis Section.

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of Surgical Oncology, and the Society of University Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

While at the NCI, Dr. Libutti's work received numerous honors, including the NCI Director's Gold Star Award, the NCI Director's Innovation Award, and the NIH Director's Award.

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