NCI Director Richard Klausner Will Leave NIH to Head the Case Institute

National Cancer Institute
Tuesday, 11 September 2001

Richard D. Klausner, M.D., announced today that he plans to step down from his post as director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Sept. 30. "It has been a privilege and an honor to head one of the world's great scientific institutions dedicated to the advancement and application of science aimed at reducing the burden of one of humanity's feared diseases," Klausner said in a letter explaining his decision to President George W. Bush.

"I appreciate the extraordinary support of your administration for me, for the NCI, and for biomedical research," Klausner wrote. "The NCI is a jewel that I have had the honor to lead, and it is a family comprised of the most dedicated and effective public servants that I can imagine."

Klausner is leaving NCI to become president of the Case Institute of Health, Science and Technology, a new philanthropic enterprise launched by the Case Foundation, the family foundation of AOL Time Warner Chairman Steve Case and his wife, Jean.

"Rick Klausner has been an extraordinary leader in the fight against cancer," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "As NCI director, Rick summoned a unique blend of scientific and administrative talents to guide basic and clinical cancer research to new heights. His tireless efforts have contributed to a greater understanding of cancer, as well as to the development of innovative treatments that are helping thousands of people beat cancer. His vision and leadership will be thoroughly missed."

Appointed NCI director in 1995 by President Clinton, Klausner created literally dozens of new programs and initiatives. "Rick Klausner has been a mensch as director of the NCI," said Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., chairperson of the National Cancer Advisory Board. "He has been a strong spokesman for the war on cancer, justified doubling of the budget of NCI, and used the funds to expand research across the spectrum of clinical, epidemiological, and basic sciences. The NCI leadership under Rick has led the community to embrace new technologies and science that have already produced a new generation of highly effective cancer drugs with promise of many more in the future. He has done a fantastic job as director of the NCI."

In his six years at the helm of NCI, Klausner has overseen an evolution and rethinking of NCI's activities. "Rick is the most brilliant and gifted physician scientist I have ever had the privilege of working with," said Alan Rabson, M.D., NCI's deputy director. "I have watched with great pleasure as he progressed from a research fellow in my division to become the most creative and imaginative director in the history of NCI. He has skillfully guided the institute into a new era of molecular oncology, and the impact of his leadership will improve the lives of cancer patients throughout the world."

Other NCI colleagues agreed. "Truly wonderful leadership is a very rare thing," commented Robert Wittes, M.D., NCI's deputy director for extramural science. "Thanks to Rick, we at NCI have been privileged to see it up close for the last six years, and all of cancer research has been the beneficiary. To say that we shall miss him doesn't begin to capture how we feel."

Klausner will continue to head a laboratory as a "special volunteer" at NIH, where he has conducted research and held leadership positions for more than 20 years. "Rick has made enormous contributions to the NIH," said Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D., who is acting director of NIH. "As NCI director, he transformed the organization while moving the science forward at an exceptional pace. Over the years, he has been a trusted advisor to a number of NIH directors and always brought a 'big picture' view to medical research. Although his departure is a loss to NIH, I know that he will continue to make huge contributions to the field in his new position."

An acting director for NCI will be named soon, according to Secretary Thompson.

Others at NIH expressed regret at Klausner's departure. "Rick Klausner is a true superstar in the biomedical research community and one of its most respected leaders," said Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "Among his many talents is his extraordinary vision, a quality that seems perfectly matched to the lofty goals of the Case Institute. He will be sorely missed at the NIH."

A copy of Dr. Klausner's letter to President Bush is available from the NCI press office and at http://press.nci.nih.gov/pressreleases/rkbush.htm

For more information, or to contact National Cancer Institute, see their website at: www.cancer.gov