DUARTE, Calif., September 14, 2009 — Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and chief executive officer of City of Hope, has been appointed as the director of the institution’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. As part of this appointment Friedman will also be the first holder of the new Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director's Distinguished Chair, the funds of which will support cancer center programs including cancer biology, developmental cancer therapeutics and cancer control and population sciences. The Chair was endowed by a $3 million gift from the law firm Irell & Manella LLP, a longtime supporter of City of Hope.
“I am pleased to serve in this role and to work alongside our excellent cancer center deputy directors, associate directors and program leaders whose outstanding leadership is ensuring that we continue to build on our position as a premier cancer research, treatment and education center,” said Friedman.
A former acting commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration and associate director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health, Friedman will oversee the growth of the cancer center’s clinical, research and education programs, including recruitment and expanded research opportunities.
“Michael Friedman is a distinguished clinical researcher and health care policy leader whose commitment to collaborative research will advance our efforts to speed the process of translating scientific discovery into new and improved treatments for patients with cancer,” said Terry Peets, chairman, City of Hope Board of Directors.
“Dr. Friedman brings valuable experience in directing a large, multifaceted research, medical and teaching organization. As an accomplished physician-scientist, he embodies our mission to provide outstanding, compassionate care and to develop the most effective and innovative treatments,” said Alexandra M. Levine, M.D., M.A.C.P., chief medical officer, City of Hope.
The new leadership structure with Friedman in the dual role of president and cancer center director is the common model for the major comprehensive cancer centers.
Prior to joining City of Hope in 2003, Friedman was senior vice president of research and development, medical and public policy, for Pharmacia Corporation. In addition, he served as chief medical officer for biomedical preparedness at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America following the events of September 11, 2001. Friedman previously served as Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deputy commissioner and was later tapped by the Clinton administration to serve as acting commissioner of the agency. He helped to streamline the FDA’s review and approval process and provided oversight of evaluations for drugs, biologics, medical devices and food ingredients.
In 1983, Friedman joined the Division of Cancer Treatment at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and went on to become the associate director of the division’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program. Before joining the NCI, Friedman spent nearly a decade at the University of California at San Francisco, serving as associate professor of medicine, and interim director of the Cancer Research Institute.
Friedman has received numerous commendations, including the Surgeon General’s Medallion in 1999. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Tulane University and a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Texas. He completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University and the NCI, and is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.
In addition to endowing the Cancer Center Director’s Distinguished Chair, Irell & Manella LLP has made other significant gifts to City of Hope in recent months. In June the firm announced $7 million in philanthropic donations to support City of Hope’s Graduate School of Biological Sciences, including a $5 million gift (matched by an additional $5 million) to rename the school and a $2 million gift to create a visiting professorship.
