William Dale, M.D., Ph.D., FASCO

626-256-4673
William Dale, M.D. Ph.D.
Physician; George Tsai Family Chair in Geriatric Oncology in Honor of Arti Hurria, M.D.
Clinical Expertise
Optimizing Care of Older Adults
Palliative Care Medicine
Medical Decision Making
Geriatric Assessment
Appointments
Professor, Department of Supportive Care Medicine
Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, Department of Supportive Care Medicine
Director, Older Adults Specialized Interdisciplinary Services (OASIS)
Director, Specialized Oncology Care & Research in Elders (SOCARE)
Director, Center for Cancer and Aging
Clinical Teams
Supportive Care Medicine
Geriatrics

William Dale, M.D., Ph.D., FASCO, is the vice chair for Academic Affairs for the Department of Supportive Care Medicine and the director of Center for Cancer and Aging in the National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at City of Hope®. In 2024, Dr. Dale became the first non-oncologist to be awarded the prestigious B.J. Kennedy Geriatric Oncology Award by the American Society of Clinical Oncology in recognition of his leadership in cancer and aging, supportive care medicine, cancer survivorship, and medical decision-making.

Dr. Dale completed his M.D. and Ph.D., training at the University of Chicago and did his residency in internal medicine and fellowship training in geriatrics at the University of Pittsburgh. He is a Board-certified geriatrician and palliative medicine physician with a doctorate in health policy. He has earned Fellowship status in The American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Dale has devoted his career to the care of older adults with cancer and older cancer survivors.  He founded and directs the award-winning Specialized Oncology Care and Research in Elders (SOCARE), designated as part of the American Hospital Association’s Age-Friendly Health System, along with two other OASIS programs at City of Hope. SOCARE offers interdisciplinary, personalized care that optimizes life quality for vulnerable older adults.

He has over 250 publications on optimizing care for vulnerable patients, especially older adults and their families. He has been continuously funded by the National Institute on Health, National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, the Rising Tide Foundation, among others. He is a principal investigator for a national infrastructure grant from National Institutes of Health to create a network of investigators in cancer and aging across the country.

 
Education & Experience
Board Certifications

  • 2012, Diplomate, ABIM Certification in Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Recertification Pending

  • 2004, Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, Renewed

  • 2003, Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, Recertification Pending

Degrees

  • 1999, Ph.D., in Public Policy (Health ), Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.

  • 1997, M.D, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • 1992, Master of Science, Harris School of Public Policy Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

  • 1990, Bachelor of Science with Honors, Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL

Fellowship

  • 2002-2003, Geriatric Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA

Residency

  • 1999-2002, Internal Medicine - Primary Care, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professional Experience

  • 2023, Professor, Department of Supportive Care Medicine

  • 2023, Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, Department of Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2023, Director, the Older Adults Specialized Interdisciplinary Services (OASIS)

  • 2019-present, Director, Center for Cancer Aging, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2017-2023, Arthur M. Coppola Family Chair in Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2017-2023, Chair, Department of Supportive Care Medicine, City of Hope, Duarte, CA

  • 2010-2017, Associate Professor of Medicine and Chief, Section of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology (Secondary Appointment), University of Chicago Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Chicago, IL

  • 2003-2009, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Section of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Research
William Dale, M.D., Ph.D. leads the Specialized Oncology Care and Research for Elders (SOCARE) Clinic at City of Hope.  This team has advanced training to help cancer patients of all types and their loved ones while receiving care at City of Hope. A visit to the SOCARE Clinic may include services to support patients with overall physical and mental well-being, management of symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment, polypharmacy, cognition, diet and nutrition, social support, goals of care and more.
 
In February 2021, the SOCARE Clinic was recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence. The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible. The founding partners, The John A. Hartford Foundation, Institute for Healthcare Improvement, American Hospital Association and Catholic Health Association of the United States created this initiative to support a movement within health care industry that integrates an essential set of age-friendly, evidence-based practices. As part of the Age-Friendly Health Systems Action movement, we are among the first health systems in the country, and the first cancer center in the west, implementing age-friendly health care in this way.
 
Awards & Memberships
Awards

  • 2024, B.J. Kennedy Geriatric Oncology Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Memberships

  • 2010-present, American Society of Clinical Oncology (Active Associate)

  • 2003-present, Society for Medical Decision Making

  • 2002-present, American Geriatrics Society

  • 2002-present, Gerontological Society of America

  • 2000-present, American College of Physicians

Publications
  • Bergerot CD, Bergerot PG, Razavi M, Philip EJ, Lakhdari S, França MVDS, Molina LNM, Freitas ANS, Taveira MC, de Azeredo AC, Fuzita WH, Fernandes CM, Pio RB, de Araujo R, Couto MM, de Vasconcellos VF, Nonino MF, Lee D, de Matos Neto JN, Buso MM, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Dale W Implementation and evaluation of a remote geriatric assessment and intervention program in Brazil. Cancer. 2023 Mar 25. doi: 10.1002/cncr.34759. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36964938. 
  • Li D, Sun CL, Kim H, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Chung V, Koczywas M, Fakih M, Chao J, Cabrera Chien L, Charles K, Hughes SFDS, Katheria V, Trent M, Roberts E, Jayani R, Moreno J, Kelly C, Sedrak MS, Dale W Geriatric Assessment-Driven Intervention (GAIN) on Chemotherapy-Related Toxic Effects in Older Adults With Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2021 Nov 1;7(11):e214158. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.4158. Epub 2021 Nov 18. PMID: 34591080; PMCID: PMC8485211. 
  • Sedrak MS, Freedman RA, Cohen HJ, Muss HB, Jatoi A, Klepin HD, Wildes TM, Le-Rademacher JG, Kimmick GG, Tew WP, George K, Padam S, Liu J, Wong AR, Lynch A, Djulbegovic B, Mohile SG, Dale W Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG). Older adult participation in cancer clinical trials: A systematic review of barriers and interventions. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021 Jan;71(1):78-92. doi: 10.3322/caac.21638. Epub 2020 Oct 1. PMID: 33002206; PMCID: PMC7854940.
  • DuMontier C, Loh KP, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Dale W Decision Making in Older Adults With Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2021 May 27;:JCO2100165. doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.00165. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34043434.
  • Dale W, Williams GR, R MacKenzie A, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Maggiore RJ, Merrill JK, Katta S, Smith KT, Klepin HD. How Is Geriatric Assessment Used in Clinical Practice for Older Adults With Cancer? A Survey of Cancer Providers by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Jun;17(6):336-344. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.00442. Epub 2020 Oct 15. PubMed PMID: 33064058.
  • Dale W., Jacobsen PB, Mohile SG. Geriatric Oncology Comes of Age: Advancing the Science of Caring for Older Adults With Cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2021 May 27;:JCO2100887. doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.00887. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 34043451.
  • Klepin HD, Sun CL, Smith DD, Elias R, Trevino KM, Bryant AL, Li D, Nelson C, Tew WP, Mohile SG, Gajra A, Owusu C, Gross C, Lichtman SM, Katheria VV, Muss HB, Chapman AE, Cohen HJ, Hurria A, Dale W Predictors of Unplanned Hospitalizations Among Older Adults Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Jun;17(6):e740-e752. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.00681. Epub 2021 Apr 21. PubMed PMID: 33881905.
  • Dale W, Williams GR, R MacKenzie A, Soto-Perez-de-Celis E, Maggiore RJ, Merrill JK, Katta S, Smith KT, Klepin HD. How Is Geriatric Assessment Used in Clinical Practice for Older Adults With Cancer? A Survey of Cancer Providers by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. JCO Oncol Pract. 2021 Jun;17(6):336-344. doi: 10.1200/OP.20.00442. Epub 2020 Oct 15. PubMed PMID: 33064058
  • Markham MJ, Wachter K, Agarwal N, Bertagnolli MM, Chang SM, Dale W, Diefenbach CSM, Rodriguez-Galindo C, George DJ, Gilligan TD, Harvey RD, Johnson ML, Kimple RJ, Knoll MA, LoConte N, Maki RG, Meisel JL, Meyerhardt JA, Pennell NA, Rocque GB, Sabel MS, Schilsky RL, Schneider BJ, Tap WD, Uzzo RG, Westin SN. Clinical Cancer Advances 2020: Annual Report on Progress Against Cancer From the American Society of Clinical Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2020 Sep 10;38(26):3076. PMID: 32013670.
  • Mohile SG, Epstein RM, Hurria A, Heckler CE, Canin B, Culakova E, Duberstein P, Gilmore N, Xu H, Plumb S, Wells M, Lowenstein LM, Flannery MA, Janelsins M, Magnuson A, Loh KP, Kleckner AS, Mustian KM, Hopkins JO, Liu JJ, Geer J, Gorawara-Bhat R, Morrow GR, Dale W Communication With Older Patients With Cancer Using Geriatric Assessment: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial From the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program. JAMA Oncol. 2020 Feb 1;6(2):196-204. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.4728. PubMed PMID: 31697365; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6865234.
  • Li D, Sun CL, Kim H, Soto-Perez-De-Celis E, Chung V, Koczywas M, Fakih M, Chao J, Chien LC, Charles K, Fernandes dos Santos Hughes S, Katheria V, Trent M, Roberts E, Jayani R, Moreno J, Kelly C, Sedrak MS, Dale W Geriatric Assessment-driven Intervention (GAIN) on chemotherapy toxicity in older adults with cancer: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Oncology (Accepted June 2021)
  • Anand M, Magnuson A, Patil A, Nuristani H, Plumb S, Obrecht S, Katheria V, Mohile S, Dale W Developing sustainable national infrastructure supporting high-impact research to improve the care of older adults with cancer: A Delphi investigation of geriatric oncology experts. J Geriatr Oncol. 2020 Mar;11(2):338-342. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.09.007. Epub 2019 Oct 22. PMID: 31648952; PMCID: PMC7054168.
  • Subbiah IM, Lundebjerg N, Appleby J, Wallach G, Beilenson J, Dale W Development of a strategic plan for the dissemination and communication of aging research through the Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) infrastructure grant. J Geriatr Oncol. 2020 Mar;11(2):359-360. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2019.07.008. Epub 2019 Jul 25. PMID: 31353236; PMCID: PMC6981062.
  • ASCO Guidelines Paper: Mohile SG, Dale W, Somerfield MR, Schonberg MA, Boyd CM, Burhenn PS, Canin B, Cohen HJ, Holmes HM, Hopkins JO, Janelsins MC, Khorana AA, Klepin HD, Lichtman SM, Mustian KM, Tew WP, Hurria A. Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: ASCO Guideline for Geriatric Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Aug 1;36(22):2326-2347. Epub 2018 May 21. PubMed PMID: 29782209; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6063790.
  • Mohile SG, Dale W, Somerfield MR, Schonberg MA, Boyd CM, Burhenn PS, Canin B, Cohen HJ, Holmes HM, Hopkins JO, Janelsins MC, Khorana AA, Klepin HD, Lichtman SM, Mustian KM, Tew WP, Hurria A. Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: ASCO Guideline for Geriatric Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Aug 1;36(22):2326-2347. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.8687. Epub 2018 May 21. PubMed PMID: 29782209; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6063790.
  • Mohile SG, Dale W, Somerfield MR, Schonberg MA, Boyd CM, Burhenn PS, Canin B, Cohen HJ, Holmes HM, Hopkins JO, Janelsins MC, Khorana AA, Klepin HD, Lichtman SM, Mustian KM, Tew WP, Hurria A. Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: ASCO Guideline for Geriatric Oncology. J Clin Oncol. 2018 Aug 1;36(22):2326-2347. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.8687. Epub 2018 May 21. PubMed PMID: 29782209; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6063790.
  • Maggiore RJ, Gorawara-Bhat R, Levine SK, Dale W Perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of hematology/oncology fellows toward incorporating geriatrics in their training. J Geriatr Oncol 2014 Jan; 5(1): 106-15. PMID: 24484724
  • Guo J, Konetzka RT, Dale W Using time trade-off methods to assess preferences over health care delivery options: a feasibility study. Value Health 2014 Mar; 17(2): 302-5. PMID: 24636391
  • Dale W, Hemmerich J, Kamm A, Posner MC, Matthews JB, Rothman R, Palakodeti A, Roggin KK. Geriatric assessment improves prediction of surgical outcomes in older adults undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy: a prospective cohort study. Ann Surg 2014 May; 259(5): 960-5. PMID: 24096757
  • Drazer MW, Prasad SM, Huo D, Schonberg MA, Dale W, Szmulewitz RZ, Eggener SE. National trends in prostate cancer screening among older American men with limited 9-year life expectancies: Evidence of an increased need for shared decision making. Cancer 2014 May 15; 120(10): 1491-8. PMID: 24523016
  • Maggiore RJ, Dale W, Gross CP, Feng T, Tew WP, Mohile SG, Owusu C, Klepin HD, Lichtman SM, Gajra A, Ramani R, Katheria V, Zavala L, Hurria A. Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults with cancer undergoing chemotherapy: effect on chemotherapy-related toxicity and hospitalization during treatment. J Am Geri Soc 2014 Aug; 62(8): 1505-12 DOI: 10.111/jgs.12942
  • Dale W How to integrate geriatrics in oncology care. J Geriatr Oncol 2014 Jul; 5 Suppl 1:S1. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.06.006. PMID: 25063606
  • Dale W International geriatrics perspectives. J Geriatr Oncol 2014 Jul; 5 Suppl 1:S5. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.06.016. PMID: 25063635
  • Dale W PSA: to screen or not to screen. J Geriatr Oncol 2014 Jul;5 Suppl 1:S6. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.06.045. PMID: 25063639
  • Hurria A, Dale W, Mooney M, Rowland JH, Ballman KV, Cohen HJ, Muss HB, Schilsky RL, Ferrell B, Extermann M, Schmader KE, Mohile SG. Designing Therapeutic Clinical Trials for Older and Frail Adults With Cancer: U13 Conference Recommendations. J Clin Oncol 2014 Jul 28. PII: JCO.2013.55.0418. PMID: 25071116
  • Fung C, Dale W, Mohile SG. Prostate Cancer in the Elderly Patient. J Clin Oncol 2014 Jul 28. PII: JCO.2014.55.1531. PMID: 25071137
  • Kilari D, Dale W, Mohile SG. How we treat early systemic prostate cancer in older men. J Geriatr Oncol 2014 Sep 20. PII: S1879-4068(14)00327-0. DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2014.09.177. PMID: 25248671
  • Magnuson A, Dale W, Mohile S. Models of Care in Geriatric Oncology. Curr Geri Rep 2014 Jul; 3:182-189. DOI 10.1007/s13670-014-0095-4
  • Sajid S, Jakubowiak A, Dale W Multiple Myeloma in Older Adults. Curr Geri Rep 2014 Sep; 3:200-208. DOI 10.1007/s13670-014-0096-3
  • Beiting K, Dale W, Meltzer D, Arora V. Knowledge & Values Transfer, Communication, and Trust: A Qualitative Assessment of the Doctor-Patient Relationship. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Mar; 62: S277-S278
  • Kotwal A, Lauderdale D, Waite L, Dale W Spousal influence on colon cancer screening in a nationally-representative sample of older couples. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Mar; 62: S152-S153
  • Maggiore R, Dale W, Buss M, Hurria A, Chapman A, Dotan E, Klepin H, Naeim A, Mohile S. Geriatric Oncology Attitudes and Skills among Hematology/Oncology Fellows. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Mar; 62: S48-S48
  • Magnuson A, Pandya C, Dale W, Wallace J, Mohile S. Association between symptom burden, functional impairments, and falls in older adults with cancer in a geriatric-oncology clinic. J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Mar; 62: S148-S148
  • Namm J, Dale W, Palakodeti A, Hemmerich J, Stocker S, Rothman R, Kamm A, Poli E, Baker M, Talamonti M, Choi E, Posner M, Matthews J, Roggin K. CT-based Assessment of Sarcopenia as an Outcome Predictor in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Ann Surg 2014 May; 21: S172-S172
  • Huisingh-Scheetz M, Kocherginsky M, Schumm P, Engelman M, McClintock M, Dale W, Magett E , Rush P, Waite L. Geriatric syndromes and functional status in NSHAP: Rationale, measurement, and preliminary findings. J Gerontol Ser B-Psychol Sci Soc Sci, 2014 DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbu091
Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews below are gathered from the Press Ganey Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG CAHPS) survey. CG CAHPS is a standardized survey that is used to measure a patient's experience in the physician office setting. Ratings are an average of all responses to questions about a provider's care, with five stars being the highest.
Ratings
5.0
Recommend this provider office
5.0
Provider explain in way you understand
5.0
Know important info medical history
5.0
Show respect for what you say
5.0
Spend enough time with you
5.0
Rate provider 0-10
4.9
Provider listen carefully to you
Reviews
12/17/22
Excellent service, care and support. - Verified patient
11/04/22
Excellent communication with Dr. Dale and his group. - Verified patient