Renee Penn, M.D., has joined City of Hope as a surgical oncologist focusing on head and neck cancers. She recently completed her fellowship in head and neck oncology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Penn is particularly interested in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell cancers, aggressive skin cancers including melanoma, thyroid and parathyroid disease, salivary gland neoplasms and skull-base tumors. She specializes in evaluating quality-of-life issues in head and neck cancer patients.
 Renee Penn (Photo by p.cunningham) |
She will work in City of Hope’s head and neck surgery practice under the direction of Ellie Maghami, M.D., and Julio Garcia-Aguilar, M.D., chair of the Department of Surgery.
“I became interested in head and neck surgery as a medical student,” said Penn, clinical assistant professor. “I then fell in love with the anatomy, surgeries and most importantly the patients.
“After completing my head and neck surgical oncology fellowship at UCLA, I wanted to stay in the area, and City of Hope offers excellent oncology care.”
Penn’s research interests include the development and validation of improved prognostic tools for head and neck cancer patients, tumor profiling, molecular epidemiology, understanding the molecular basis of carcinogenesis and the application of novel molecular therapeutics.
“We are fortunate to have Dr. Penn join our staff at City of Hope,” said Alexandra M. Levine, M.D., chief medical officer. “Her clinical and research background combine to help us expand the breadth of our services for patients in this important area of cancer care.”
Born in Montreal, Penn grew up just outside Philadelphia. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in biological basis of behavior from University of Pennsylvania, and her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. She completed her internship and residency at Georgetown University Hospital.
Penn is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.
