Austin-based University of Texas System's board of regents finalized the appointment of Peter Pisters, MD, as Houston-based UT MD Anderson Cancer Center president.
In late August, the board unanimously selected Dr. Pisters as the sole finalist for the position. As per state law, university boards must wait 21 days between naming a finalist and making the appointment official.
Dr. Pisters, who is currently president and CEO of University Health Network in Toronto, Canada, will assume his new role later this year. Until he steps into the role, Marshall Hicks, MD, will continue serving as interim president, a role Dr. Hicks assumed after Ronald DePinho, MD,resigned in March.
Dr. Pisters spent 20 years at MD Anderson before leaving for University Health Network. A cancer surgeon and researcher, he served as medical director of MD Anderson's six regional cancer centers and as section chief for sarcoma surgery during his time with the institution.
"Over the past three years, he has gained invaluable experience in Toronto leading one of the most respected academic health centers in North America. This combination of his clinical expertise, institutional knowledge, and servant leadership make Dr. Pisters the ideal person to take MD Anderson to the next level," said Ray Greenberg, MD, PhD, UT System's executive vice chancellor for health affairs.