Kathy Albain Named First Huizenga Family Endowed Chair at Loyola University Chicago

Kathy S. Albain, MD

Kathy S. Albain, MD

Kathy S. Albain, MD, has been named the inaugural Huizenga Family Endowed Chair in Oncology Research at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Funded by Heidi Huizenga, one of Albain’s beholden patients, her husband, and her family, the endowed chair recognizes Albain’s notable contributions as a physician, research, teacher and mentor.

Albain is a professor in the division of hematology/oncology in the Department of Medicine of Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine. She is also director of Loyola Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center’s breast clinical research program, co-director of the multidisciplinary breast oncology center, and director of the thoracic oncology program.

“The appointment to a named and endowed chair is among the highest academic recognitions for a University faculty member. Dr Albain is an accomplished clinician scientist who is dedicated to improving human health, and we are thrilled to be presenting her with this most deserving honor,” said Margaret Faut Callahan, CRNA, PhD, FNAP, FAAN, provost, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division in a statement.

A leader in national clinical trials of new treatments for breast and lung cancer, as well as cancer survivorship research, Albain completed a 4-year term on the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee of the FDA. Her term was followed by her service as a consultant to the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

“I’m extremely honored to be appointed to the first Huizenga endowed chair,” Albain said. “I greatly appreciate the Huizenga family’s support, both for my research and for that of faculty members who will hold this chair in the future.”

Huizenga credits Albain for successfully treating her first in 2003, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and again, 2 years later, when tumors were discovered in her neck, which proved to be an indolent form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Her generous gift will enable Albain to devote more time to cancer research.

“Kathy treats the body and nurtures the human spirit,” said Huizenga in a statement. “She takes time with each patient, listens to their concerns, and makes the correct diagnosis. Dr Albain carries this dedication, thoroughness, and work ethic into her research. Her strong Christian commitment also is very evident in her professional life.”

Albain is a member of SWOG’s working groups for breast and lung cancer, SWOG’s Cancer Prevention and Control Executive Committee, the international Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Collaborative Group and its Steering Committees. Additionally, she served on the National Cancer Institute Concept Evaluation Panel for lung cancer and was a charter member of the National Institute of Health Committee on Research on Women’s Health. She also chaired the Committee on Special Populations for SWOG since the committee’s inception.

An author of nearly 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, Albain is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

She earned her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. She later completed her residency in internal medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center and her fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Chicago. She was granted tenure at Loyola in 2005 and appointed Dean’s Scholar in 2011.