The head of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has announced her plans to step down as her successor has been named head of the world-renowned cancer center.
Laurie Glimcher will step down as President and CEO on October 1 and assume the title of President Emeritus.
Glimcher also served as director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and is the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Glimcher is Dana-Farber’s seventh president and the first woman to lead the company in its 77-year history. She took office in October 2016. Dana-Farber is credited with playing a critical role in the development of 51% of all cancer drugs approved by the FDA over the past five years.
“Eight years ago, I began this journey with a deep appreciation for the extraordinary research Dana-Farber has conducted since its inception and for the clinical excellence Dana-Farber provides patients and families,” said Glimcher. “And now, as I look back on my tenure, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished in providing world-class care to our patients, leading in innovation and discovering new treatments and cures.”
Under Glimcher’s leadership, the institute’s regional sites grew from four to seven, patient enrollment increased 51%, and grant and industry-funded research funding increased 62%, totaling $450 million in fiscal year 2023.
Last year, she announced Dana-Farber’s proposal to build a new 300-bed hospital for adult cancer patients, as well as a new collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Glimcher will remain at Dana-Farber, where she will continue her research and commitment to mentoring the next generation of physicians and scientists, among other special projects.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Ebert, head of the medical oncology division, has been named Dana-Farber’s next president and CEO.
“I am extremely honored to be selected as Dana-Farber’s next president and CEO and to build on Laurie Glimcher’s exceptional leadership and accomplishments,” said Ebert. “Dana-Farber is truly a remarkable organization and a global leader in innovation and cancer patient care and advocacy. Together with our leadership team, I will continue to advance a patient-first model as we embark on this new chapter.”
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