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David M. Gershenson, M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

J. Taylor Wharton, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Gynecologic Oncology, Professor and Chairman, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment

Professor, Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

 

As Chairman of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, I am engaged in several aspects of clinical and translational research. My personal research is focused on ovarian cancer. In collaboration with several clinical and basic science colleagues, I am conducting several clinical and translational studies of rare ovarian tumors: low-grade serous tumors (serous tumors of low malignant potential and low-grade serous carcinomas), clear cell carcinomas, mucinous carcinomas, malignant ovarian germ cell tumors, and sex cord-stromal ovarian tumors. Our studies in the front-line, neoadjuvant, and recurrent settlings have indicated that low-grade serous carcinomas are relatively chemoresistant. I am the principal investigator or co-principal investigator of clinical trials focused on novel therapeutics for patients with low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. Other studies from our group and other investigators have also reported the poor prognosis associated with advanced stage or recurrent ovarian clear cell and mucinous carcinomas. As Chair of the Gynecologic Oncology Group’s (GOG) Rare Tumor Committee, I have advocated that women with these tumor types should be enrolled in separate trials using novel targeted agents rather than being included in broad ovarian cancer trials. Phase II or III trials involving targeted agents and translational research components have been or will soon be activated within the GOG for women with low-grade serous carcinomas, mucinous carcinomas, clear cell carcinomas, and sex cord-stromal tumors. I have been co-principal investigator of the National Cancer Institute's Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in Ovarian Cancer since 1999, and in 2006, I was appointed to serve as a member of the NCI's Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, which reviews and approves all phase III clinical trials of gynecologic cancers conducted in North America. I am also involved in research education. As principal investigator of an NIH Training Grant, "Training of Academic Gynecologic Oncologists," I oversee the Department of Gynecologic Oncology's training of 6 research fellows in laboratory-based and/or population-based research.

Office Address

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
P.O. Box 301439
Unit Number: 1362
Houston, TX 77230-1439
Phone: 713-745-2565
Fax: 713-745-2565

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1971 Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, MD, Medicine
1967 University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, BA, Psychology

Postgraduate Training

7/1977-6/1979 Clinical Fellowship, Gynecologic Oncology, U.T. M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, TX, Dr. Felix N. Rutledge
7/1972-6/1975 Clinical Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT, Dr. Nathan Kase
6/1971-6/1972 Clinical Internship, Medicine/Surgery, University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, IA, Dr. Robert Condon

Board Certifications

1981 American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diplomate, Division of Gynecologic Oncology
1977 American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Diplomate
1972 National Board of Medical Examiners, Diplomate

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Courtesy Status, Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, 9/2000-present

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Department Chair, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2000-present

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Chair, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, Chicago, IL, 2009-2012
Co-Chair, Rare Tumors Working Group, Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup, Queen's University, Canada, 2008-present
Co-Chair, GOG SPORE Committee, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, 2006-present
Member, Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee, National Cancer Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2006-present
Co-Chair, GOG Translational Research Committee, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, 2006
Chair, Rare Tumor Working Group, Gynecologic Oncology Group, Philadelphia, PA, 2005-present
Member, Medical Advisory Board, fertileHope, New York, NY, 2003-2009
Treasurer, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, Chicago, IL, 2003-2009
Member, Medical Advisory Board, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, Alexandria, PA, 2001-present
Member, Ovarian Cancer Working Group, Prognostic Factors Consensus Conference, American Joint Committee on Cancer, Chicago, IL, 1998
Member, Ovarian Cancer Practice Guidelines Committee, The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, Jenkintown, PA, 1997-present

Endowed Positions

J. Taylor Wharton, M.D., Distinguished Chair in Gynecologic Oncology,, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004-present

Institutional Committee Activities

member, Planning Committee for the 5th Annual Cancer Symposium, 11/2008-7/2009
Member, Endowed Positions and Awards Committee, 10/2008-8/2011
Chairman, Oversight Committee/Approval Committee for Tissue Distribution, Multidisciplinary Gynecologic Cancer Translational Research Tumor Bank, 1999-present
Chair, Executive Committee, Blanton-Davis Ovarian Cancer Research Program, 1996-2007

Honors and Awards

2009 America's Top Doctors for Cancer (4th Ed), Castle Connolly Medical LTD
2009 Houston's Top Docs 2009, H Texas Magazine
2008-2009 Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 10th Anniversary Edition, Marquis Who's Who
2008 America's Top Doctors for Cancer (3rd Ed), Castle Connolly Medical LTD
2007-2008 Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors
2007 America's Top Doctors (7th Ed), Castle Connolly
2007 America's Top Doctors for Cancer (2nd Ed), Castle Connolly Medical LTD.
2007 Top Doctors for Cancer, Castle Connolly
2007 Who's Who in America, 61st Edition, Marquis Who's Who
2006 America's Top Doctors for Cancer (1st Ed), Castle Connolly Medical LTD
2006 Top Docs, H Texas Magazine
2004-2005 Guide to America's Top Obstetricians and Gynecologists
2002 Best Doctors in American, Inside Houston Magazine
2002 Best Doctors: Information When It Matters Most, Peer-selection
1998 The Best Doctors in America, Woodward White, Inc. Publishers, 4th Edition
1997-1998 Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 25th Edition, Marquis Who's Who
1995 Favorite Son Award, Southern Illinois Medical Association
1992 President's Award, Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
1971 Alpha Omega Alpha, Vanderbilt School of Medicine

Professional Memberships

American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Chair, Long Range Planning Committee, 2006-present
Member, Credentials Committee, 2006-present
Member, Board of Directors, 2002-2012
Director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, 2002-2005
Member, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, 1999-2005
Examiner, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, 1996-present
Examiner, 1994-present
American College of Surgeons
Liaison Member, OB/GYN Advisory Council, 2004-2005
American Radium Society
President, 2000-2001
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Education Committee, 2006-2009
Roster of Cancer Experts, 2005-present
Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Crofton, MD
Member, 2003
Felix Rutledge Society
President, 1994-1995
Harris County Medical Society
Member, 1979-present
Houston Gynecological and Obstetrical Society
President, 1998
Executive Committee, 1994-present
Secretary, 1994-1995
Houston Surgical Society
Member, 1980-present
Lonnie S. Burnett Vanderbilt OB/GYN Society
Member, 2005
Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
Member, Strategic Planning Taskforce, 2001
Chair, Nominating Committee, 1998
President, 1996
Secretary-Treasurer, 1990-1993

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Gershenson DM, Sun CC, Bodurka DC, Coleman RL, Lu KH, Sood AK, Deavers M, Malpica AL, Kavanagh JJ. Recurrent low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma is relatively chemoresistant. Gynecol Oncol 114(1):48-52, 7/2009. e-Pub 4/2009. PMID: 19361839.
2. Brown J, Sood AK, Deavers MT, Milojevic L, Gershenson DM. Patterns of metastasis in sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary: can routine staging lymphadenectomy be omitted? Gynecol Oncol 113(1):86-90, 4/2009. e-Pub 1/21/2009. PMID: 19162310.
3. Schmeler KM, Sun CC, Bodurka DC, Deavers MT, Malpica A, Coleman RL, Ramirez PT, Gershenson DM. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum. Gynecol Oncol 108(3):510-514, 3/2008. e-Pub 12/2007. PMID: 18155273.
4. Gershenson D, Miller A, Champion V, Monahan P, Zhao Q, Cella D, Williams S. Reproductive and sexual function after platinum-based chemotherapy in long-term ovarian germ cell tumor survivors: A Gynecologic Oncology Group study. J Clin Oncol 25(19):2792-2797, 7/2007. PMID: 17602084.
5. Crotzer D, Sun C, Coleman R, Wolf J, Levenback C, Gershenson D. Lack of effective systemic therapy for recurrent clear cell carcinoma of the ovary. Gynecol Oncol 105(2):404-408, 2007. e-Pub 2/9/2007. PMID: 17292461.

Books (edited and written)
1. Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Ed(s) V. Katz, G. Lentz, R. Lobo, D. Gershenson. Comprehensive Gynecology, 5th Ed. Elsevier, 2007.
2. Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Ed(s) P.J. Eifel, D.M. Gershenson, J.J. Kavanagh, E.G. Silva. Gynecologic Cancer. Springer, 2005.
3. Gershenson DM, Senior Editor. Ed(s) D.M. Gershenson, W.P. McGuire, M. Gore, G. Thomas and M. Quinn. Gynecologic Cancer: Controversies in Management. Churchill Livingstone Publishers, 2004.
4. Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Ed(s) R.R. Barakat M.W. Bevers, D.M. Gershenson, W. J. Hoskins. Handbook of Gynecologic Oncology, 2nd Ed. Martin Dunitz Publishers, Ltd., 2002.
5. Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Ed(s) D.M. Gershenson, A.H. DeCherney, S.L. Curry, and Linda Brubaker. Operative Gynecology, 2nd Ed. W.B. Saunders, 2001.
6. Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Ed(s) R.R. Barakat, M.W. Bevers, D.M. Gershenson, W. J. Hoskins. Handbook of Gynecologic Oncology. Martin Dunitz Publishers, Ltd., 2000.
7. Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Ed(s) D.M. Gershenson, W.P. McGuire. Ovarian Cancer: Controversies in Management. Churchill Livingstone, 1997.
8. Gershenson DM. Ed(s) Gershenson DM, Co-Editor. Cancer in Pregnancy. In: Cancer Bulletin, 1994.
9. Gershenson DM. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. Gershenson DM, Guest Editor, 1994.
10. Gershenson DM. Ed(s) D.M. Gershenson, A.H. DeCherney, and S.L. Curry. Operative Gynecology. W. B. Saunders Co., 1994.
11. David Gershenson, Associate Editor. Ed(s) N.G. Kase, A.B. Weingold, D.M. Gershenson. Principles and Practice of Clinical Gynecology, 2nd Ed. Churchill Livingstone, 1990.
12. Gershenson DM. Ed(s) F.N. Rutledge, R.S. Freedman, D.M. Gershenson. Gynecologic Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies. University of Texas Press: Austin, 1986.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Specialized Program of Research Excellence in Ovarian Cancer (PC-A)
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/30/2005 - 8/31/2010
 
Title: Training of Academic Gynecologic Oncologists
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/15/2005 - 8/31/2010

Last updated: 9/23/2009