Teknos Chosen for Seidman Cancer Center

Theodoros N. Teknos, MD

Theodoros N. Teknos, MD

Theodoros N. Teknos, MD, has been chosen as the new president and scientific officer of the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. He will be taking over for the current president Nathan Levitan, MD, who will be retiring this year after 9 years in this position.

University Hospitals, an integrated network of 18 hospitals, more than 40 outpatient health centers, and 200 physician offices in northern Ohio, completed a rigorous nationwide search for the new president of the cancer center before selecting Teknos. His new position will go into effect on October 1.

“Dr Teknos is a renowned clinician and academic authority in head and neck cancers, and he will continue his surgical practice, clinical trials, and research here,” Daniel Simon, MD, president of the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, said in a statement. “He has been published in nearly 200 peer-reviewed journals and publications, and he is a frequent presenter at major scientific meetings. He is active in numerous professional societies, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the International Academy of Oral Oncology, and the American College of Surgeons.”

Teknos is currently chair of the Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Cener, as well as a professor in the department. He has been at Ohio State University since 2008. Before then, he was division chief of head and neck oncology in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Michigan Health System. Additionally, he co-chaired a task force for recurrent and metastatic disease for the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Head and Neck Cancer Steering Committee for 7 years.

He is considered a leading authority on head and neck cancers, as well as a highly-respected physician, researcher, and administrative leader, according to Simon.

Teknos received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed his residency in otolaryngology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Combined Program. His fellowship was completed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in head and neck oncology, skull base and microvascular reconstruction.

“We look forward to working with Dr Teknos and are confident his leadership will advance our clinical, academic and strategic business objectives at UH Seidman Cancer Center,” Simon said.