Dr. James Willson was named Director of the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in the fall of 2004 following a 10-year tenure as Director of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland. He also serves as Associate Dean for Cancer Programs at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Willson received his M.D. from the University of Alabama in 1976, his training in medicine on the Osler Medical Service at Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1976-1978, 1980, and in medical oncology in the Medicine Branch of the NCI, 1978-80. Prior to his move to UT Southwestern, he was a member of the Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1981-87; and the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1987-2004. Dr. Willson’s research interest focuses on colon cancer treatment. His extramural service includes past service on the Board of Scientific Counselors, National Cancer Institute, as a Member of the Experimental Therapeutics Study Section, National Institutes of Health and as Chair of Subcommittee A Cancer Centers, National Cancer Institute Initial Review Group. Currently he serves on the Board of Scientific Advisors for the National Cancer Institute.
