In Memoriam: Randall Hughes
Randall Hughes, M.D., a Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology who specialized in treating head and neck cancers, as well as bronchogenic lung cancer, died suddenly on Friday, June 26. He was 66.
Dr. Hughes served as Chief of the Medical Hematology/Oncology Service and as an attending physician on the solid tumor service team at Clements University Hospital. His clinical work extended across Clements University Hospital, the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Parkland Health, where colleagues regarded him as a cornerstone of the Hematology and Oncology Division.
“Dr. Hughes’ career reflected the core commitments of academic medicine: expertise applied with care, teaching grounded in responsibility, and service carried out with humility,” said Samir M. Parikh, M.D., Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine. “He will be remembered for his steadiness, his judgment, and his commitment to helping people face cancer with understanding and trust.”
Colleagues described him as one of the division’s best clinicians, noting his thoughtful, meticulous, and comprehensive care of patients on the oncology service and in outpatient clinics.
That approach was central to how Dr. Hughes understood medicine.
“Every patient has a story, a life, and a family, and whether or not they express it, they are often scared, for themselves and for their family,” he said in his clinical profile. “I think it’s important to spend the time with people, help them get comfortable with me, and explain what they should expect in terms of chemotherapy and how we will follow them after treatment. I also reassure them that we’ll make any treatment changes they desire and manage any side effects they might have.”
As a head and neck cancer specialist, Dr. Hughes worked as part of a specialized multidisciplinary team that included surgeons, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, ear, nose, and throat specialists, speech pathologists, and therapy specialists who support speech and swallowing function before and after treatment. He believed patients benefited from that comprehensive model.
“Randy was a leader who exemplified professionalism, integrity, and kindness,” said Suzanne Conzen, M.D., Professor and Chief of the Division of Hematology and Oncology. “He was also deeply committed to educating the next generation of physicians and was widely respected as one of our best teachers. Students, residents, nurses and faculty all sought his wisdom, valued his guidance, and deeply appreciated his generosity of time and knowledge.”
Although his clinical responsibilities were substantial, Dr. Hughes maintained an active role in research and scholarship. He published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, delivered CME and Grand Rounds presentations, and served as principal investigator for investigator-initiated and cooperative group trials studying treatments for patients with head and neck cancer and lung cancer. He also served as a reviewer for publications including JAMA, the American Journal of Oncology, The Merck Manual, and Cancer Research.
His service to UT Southwestern was broad and sustained. Dr. Hughes served on the Institutional Review Board, the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center Data and Safety Monitoring Committee, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, the Patient Centered Care Strategy Committee, Performance Improvement, and the Hematology Oncology Fellowship Steering Committee. He was a member of professional organizations including the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Texas Medical Foundation.
“Dr. Hughes was an ideal colleague, leader, physician, mentor, and friend to many,” said Carlos Arteaga, M.D., Professor and Director of the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Dean of Oncology Programs. “We know this loss will be felt across our Cancer Center and the entire institution for years to come. He touched so many lives with his compassion, expertise, humility, and kindness.”
Randall Steven Hughes was born on Sept. 4, 1959, in Galveston, the second child of Roy Abercrombie Hughes, a carpenter who later established a career as a laboratory technician, and Nina Beth (McCleese) Hughes, a homemaker. He married Heather Siggins in 2006. They later divorced.
Dr. Hughes earned his bachelor’s degree in biology, summa cum laude, from Texas A&M University and his medical degree, also summa cum laude, from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed internal medicine residency training at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, where he served as Chief Resident, and then completed fellowship training in hematology and oncology at UT Southwestern.
In addition to his former wife, he is survived by their children, Harry and Grace, his mother and his sister, Susan Lynne Springer.
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Dr. Parikh holds the Donald W. Seldin Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine and the Ruth W. and Milton P. Levy, Sr. Chair in Molecular Nephrology.
Dr. Conzen holds the Andrea L. Simmons Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research.
Dr. Arteaga holds the Annette Simmons Distinguished University Chair in Breast Cancer Research.