Cairns to succeed Beckerle as CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute
The University of Utah has announced that cancer cell biologist Brad Cairns, head of academic affairs at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of oncological sciences at the university, has been named CEO of the institute, succeeding Mary Beckerle, who is retiring.
Cairns has been a member of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s leadership team for 15 years, and like Beckerle, has been with the organization since its founding.
Cairns, an internationally renowned scientist, has held numerous roles, including chair of the Department of Oncological Sciences and director of graduate programs in molecular biology at the UofU. His National Institutes of Health- and Howard Hughes Medical Institute-funded research has helped shape the field of cancer epigenetics and precision oncology, the university said. Cairns is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Royal Society, the world’s oldest scientific academy whose members include Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking.
At Huntsman Cancer Institute, Cairns has overseen major institutional initiatives, including expanded collaborations with Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University and the UofU to engage students across the state in cancer training. He led the establishment of the Huntsman Cancer Institute-UVU Health Collaborative and graduate capstone projects at Huntsman Cancer Institute for BYU biomedical informatics students in efforts to extend the reach of the official comprehensive cancer center of Utah to more students in the state.
“I am honored to step into the CEO role at Huntsman Cancer Institute, humbled by the history of this organization — the compassion and drive of those who have come before me — and deeply motivated in service to cancer patients everywhere who are urgently counting on us to deliver on the promise of this lifesaving institution,” said Cairns. “I am incredibly grateful to Mary for her leadership and mentorship and for the foundation she has built for this next phase at Huntsman Cancer Institute.”
Under Beckerle’s leadership, Huntsman Cancer Institute became the region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and advanced growth in infrastructure, national reputation, cancer discovery and clinical expertise to communities across the Mountain West.
“Through the visionary guidance of Dr. Beckerle, Huntsman Cancer Institute was propelled to international prominence in cancer research, care and community impact,” said Taylor Randall, president of the UofU. “She has marshaled every aspect of Huntsman Cancer Institute to advance the audacious goal of Jon M. Huntsman: to eradicate cancer from the face of the Earth. We are deeply grateful for Dr. Beckerle’s extraordinary service and direction. As we look to the future, we do so with full confidence that Huntsman Cancer Institute will continue to thrive — guided by the strength and focus of its inspiring mission and energized by the leadership that will carry its vision forward.”
“It is an incredible honor to have served at Huntsman Cancer Institute since the organization opened its doors in 1999,” said Beckerle. “I am asked so often by colleagues around the world how it is possible we have achieved so much in a relatively short time. The answer to me is clear: our people, all united around a compelling mission. Emanating from our inspiring principal benefactors, the Jon M. and Karen Huntsman family, to our patients, donors, faculty, clinical providers, staff, students and all who stand by our side — we have convened a community where every aspect of what we do is laser-focused on delivering hope, healing and improved outcomes for cancer patients. I am thrilled to see Brad take the helm and know the institute will achieve even greater heights under the leadership of my passionate and dedicated colleague.”
Beckerle oversaw the extension of access to Huntsman Cancer Institute care, expertise, education and research to communities across the Mountain West. At the institute’s main location at the UofU, she led two major expansions of its cancer hospital as the regional population increased rapidly. This grew inpatient capacity from 50 to 148 beds, increased annual outpatient visits to more than 350,000 and resulted in the region’s first and only center for proton therapy
“For the past 20 years, Dr. Mary Beckerle has been at the forefront of building Huntsman Cancer Institute into one of the premier cancer research and clinical care institutes in the world,” said Peter Huntsman, chairman and CEO of Huntsman Cancer Foundation.