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Jefferson Surgical Solutions

Starting this spring, Dr. Nader Hanna will care for patients in the state-of-the-art, patient-focused Honickman Center located at 1101 Chestnut Street in Center City, Philadelphia.

In January, Jefferson Health and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College, in collaboration with the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, named Nader Hanna, MD, as the inaugural chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology and Vice Chair for Cancer Services in the Department of Surgery. Dr. Hanna is also serving as the Enterprise Surgeon Leader for Surgical Oncology (see article on page 2).

The newly created division shares faculty members and advanced practice clinicians with other divisions covering complex general surgical oncology and breast surgery, as well as melanoma, gastrointestinal, colorectal, peritoneal and endocrine surgical oncology specialties, among others.

In his new role, Dr. Hanna has articulated a trio of enterprise-wide strategic objectives: advancing clinical practice, increasing research and scholarly activity, and expanding academic and professional advancement opportunities for surgical oncologists.

“This is a chance to integrate the cancer surgery network across Jefferson to forge consistent best practices, advance cancer care and offer patients access to the same high level of care at every location,” Dr. Hanna says.

While surgeons and other clinicians across the network have their own diverse clinical interests and agendas, all share a common goal: more coordinated care and better patient outcomes.

“If you look at the cancer surgery advances that are contributing to improved survival, it isn’t a single treatment that’s making the difference,” Dr. Hanna explains. “It’s the integration and timing of other treatment modalities patients are receiving before and after surgery.”

Dr. Hanna emphasizes the importance of prompt, multidisciplinary evaluation and personalized treatment planning that covers the whole person—not just the physical body. For cancer patients in Center City, the new Honickman Center will centralize most outpatient services—from imaging and surgical consults, to chemotherapy, survivorship, and family support.

In addition, the new Division will work to ensure that clinical trials are available to cancer patients regardless of where they receive care. A longer-term goal is to establish a highly competitive

Complex Surgical Oncology Fellowship to help train the next generation of surgeons specializing in complex cases. Shorter term, Dr. Hanna aims to expand the cancer knowledge base for medical students and residents at Jefferson.

“As cancer has become a major health concern for everyone, it’s critical that we teach medical students and residents the principles of cancer biology and cancer treatment options,” he says.

Dr. Hanna received his medical school training at the Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. He completed his surgical residency at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine and his fellowship in surgical oncology and a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Chicago. Most recently, he served as Chief and Director of Clinical Operations in the Division of General & Oncologic Surgery at the University of Maryland.

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