Management
Management
The Katzen Cancer Center is directed by Dr. Robert Siegel, Chair of the Board and Chief of Hematology/Oncology. Daily management is provided by Leo Schargorodski, Executive Director.
Robert S. Siegel, MD
Director of the Katzen Cancer Research Center
Chair
Professor of Medicine; Director, Division of Hematology/Oncology
Dr. Siegel has played an instrumental role in the development and growth of cancer programs at The George Washington University Medical Center. An alumnus of the School of Medicine, Dr. Siegel returned to GW in 1982 as a faculty member and spearheaded the effort to create an oncology unit. Continuing to advance cancer initiatives, he established a Cancer Conference and Tumor Board and, in 1985, a certified hospital tumor registry. Dr. Siegel was appointed director of the Oncology Unit in 1983, and then became chairman of the Cancer Committee in 1987, director of the Clinical Cancer Center in 1993, and, finally, director of Division of Hematology and Oncology and a professor of Medicine.
Dr. Siegel also continues to provide exceptional service to his patients, and has been repeatedly recognized as one of Washingtonian magazine’s top doctors. In addition, he received the Humanitarian of the Year award in 2005. An ardent researcher, he was among the first to document that young African American women were prone to develop more aggressive cancer when compared to their Caucasian or Hispanic counterparts.
Upon graduation from the School of Medicine, Dr. Siegel completed his residency and fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, and has clinical interests in breast, head, and neck cancers.
As the Director of the Katzen Cancer Research Center, Dr. Siegel serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors. He is responsible for ensuring progress in implementing the research, clinical care, and patient programs of the Center and oversees the Center’s staff. Dr. Siegel works closely with the Executive Director of the Center.
Leo Schargorodski
Executive Director of the Katzen Cancer Research Center
Leo Schargorodski is the first Executive Director of the Center. Mr. Schargorodski’s background is in non-profit health charities, including the National Osteoporosis Foundation, where he was Executive Director, the American Nurses Foundation, where he was Executive Director and Chief Development Officer for the American Nurses Association, and the American Diabetes Association, where he was the founding Executive Director of their Research Foundation as well as National Vice President for Development.
Mr. Schargorodski ’s priorities include working with Dr. Siegel and the Katzen Center’s Board of Directors to build capacity to pursue the dream of Dr. Cyrus and Mrs. Myrtle Katzen. He will be focusing on improving the methods and vehicles to share the story of the Center through website revisions and expansion, producing newsletters, brochures and educational mailings. He will be responsible for ensuring progress in implementing goals, programs and campaigns, as well as fostering an environment that attracts and engergizes outstanding volunteer leaders.
While pursuing the goal of pioneering scientific cancer research and treatment, a primary goal will be to personalie how the Katzen Center looks to the patients and their caregivers by showcasing the new treatment center through social networks and media.