National Comprehensive Cancer Network



About NCCN

Christopher E. Desch, M.D., Joins National Comprehensive Cancer Network as National Medical Director

JENKINTOWN, Pa., January 27, 2005 — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) announces that Christopher E. Desch, M.D., has joined the NCCN as its National Medical Director. In this role, Dr. Desch will assume responsibility as the clinical leader for the broad spectrum of NCCN programs, including the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in OncologyTM. Dr. Desch will work within the NCCN and with other national organizations to establish and enhance processes for the evaluation and improvement of the quality of cancer care. Dr. Desch will also serve as Co-Editor in Chief of JNCCN, the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Desch as a key member of the NCCN leadership team. He is recognized nationally for his outstanding work in the areas of health services research and policy. Dr. Desch has a wealth of expertise and experience in providing cancer care in both the academic and community settings. He will apply his expertise and enthusiasm in the development and enhancement of NCCN programs aimed at improving the effectiveness and quality of cancer care for patients whom we serve," said William T. McGivney, Ph.D., CEO of NCCN.

Dr. Desch previously served as hematologist/oncologist and Research Director for Virginia Cancer Institute. He is Chair of the Health Services Committee at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and has been a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Hematology and the Virginia Society of Hematology/Oncology.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), a not-for-profit alliance of 23 of the world's leading cancer centers, is dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of care provided to patients with cancer. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. As the arbiter of high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers. The primary goal of all NCCN initiatives is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of oncology practice so patients can live better lives. For more information, visit NCCN.org.

The NCCN Member Institutions are:

  • City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center
    Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
  • Duke Cancer Institute
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
  • Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center / Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
  • The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
  • Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Moffitt Cancer Center
  • The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute
  • Roswell Park Cancer Institute
  • Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine
  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
  • Stanford Cancer Institute
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center
  • UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • University of Colorado Cancer Center
  • University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • UNMC Eppley Cancer Center at The Nebraska Medical Center
  • The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Quick Links


About NCCN| NCCN Member Institutions| Patient Resources| NCCN Foundation| Privacy Policy| Legal Notices| Contact Us

275 Commerce Drive, Suite 300, Fort Washington, PA 19034 • 215.690.0300 • Fax: 215.690.0260
Copyright © 2012 National Comprehensive Cancer Network, All Rights Reserved