The Endeavor Health Cancer Institute recently welcomed Ted James, MD, as the newly appointed Physician Executive.
Dr. James was selected for this leadership role based on his extensive clinical expertise, transformative leadership and commitment to advancing excellence in the field of cancer care.
Most recently, Dr. James served as Chief of Breast Surgical Oncology and Director of the Breast Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), where he led the expansion of a nationally-accredited multidisciplinary breast center and developed a NIH-funded research program.
He was also Vice Chair of Academic Affairs in the Department of Surgery at BIDMC/Harvard Medical School, and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. James earned his medical degree from Drexel University. He completed a General Surgery Residency at NYU (North Shore-Long Island Jewish) and a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
In addition to his medical training, Dr. James earned a Master of Science in Healthcare Management from the Harvard School of Public Health.
He also completed several prestigious leadership development programs, including the National Academy of Medicine’s Emerging Leaders Program and the Harvard Macy Institute’s Leading Innovations in Health Care and Education.
In this Q&A, Dr. James answers some key questions about his new role and what it means for patients:
Please share your professional journey and what led you to specialize in oncology.
What drew me to oncology is the opportunity to combine science, innovation and compassion to help patients through some of the most challenging times in their lives. I trained in surgical oncology and ultimately focused my career on breast cancer and complex cancer care. I feel privileged to support patients and contribute to such an important field.
What areas of cancer research or treatment have been the primary focus of your career so far?
My research focuses on improving outcomes in breast cancer surgery, with particular interest in axillary management and strategies to translate new discoveries into best clinical practice. I also study how we can use data and decision-support tools to improve the way care is organized and delivered so patients receive the most effective and patient-centered treatment. In addition, I’m involved in some exciting research to better understand tumor metastasis and identify new pathways for targeted therapies.
What drew you to Endeavor Health, and what excites you most about this new role?
I was drawn to Endeavor Health’s vision of transforming care for our communities and the opportunity to build on its strong cancer programs. I’m excited to work with this outstanding team to bring about new ideas, technologies and therapies that support patient care.
What is your vision for Endeavor Health Cancer Institute over the next few years, including Endeavor Health’s approach to patient care?
My vision is for the Cancer Institute to lead in precision oncology, holistic care, and the expansion of clinical trials that bring the best science to the communities we serve. We want to deliver care that not only meets today’s needs but also helps shape the future of cancer care.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities for breakthroughs in cancer treatment or detection for patients?
I see tremendous opportunity in using molecular profiling and AI to match treatments more precisely to each patient. These tools are helping us detect cancer earlier and develop therapies that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Just as important are the breakthroughs in how we organize and deliver care to make the experience easier and more supportive for patients.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you outside of your professional life?
I’m very interested in ancient history and enjoy learning about past civilizations. I also like playing guitar, which is something I’ve kept up with over the years.
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