December 29, 2022
Jeffrey Holzbeierlein, MD, William L. Valk endowed professor and chair of urology at the University of Kansas Medical Center, was named physician in chief of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. He will assume the role held by Terry Tsue, MD, who retired January 2, 2023, after serving in the health system appointed position for the past 10 years.
A nationally respected physician and leader, Dr. Holzbeierlein specializes in urologic cancer surgery. His focus areas include bladder, kidney, penile and testicular cancer. He has the most experience and highest patient volume in bladder cancer surgical reconstruction in the region. He also leads a research team that studies the causes of and latest treatments for prostate and bladder cancer.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Holzbeierlein to the role of physician in chief,” said Roy Jensen, MD, vice chancellor and director of the cancer center. “He is an outstanding nationally recognized clinician, researcher and administrator, who will play a critical role in the continued growth and development of our clinical oncology program. His vast experience and direct knowledge of our program will play an essential role as we plan and develop new clinical facilities to fulfill our vision to become a destination cancer center.”
Dr. Holzbeierlein’s appointment was announced by Tammy Peterman, president of the Kansas City division, Steve Stites, MD, executive vice president of clinical affairs, and Dr. Jensen. The executives noted how fortunate the health system is to have identified a new physician leader who has been integral to our cancer center and health system for many years.
“I am honored and excited as the next physician in chief to continue to expand the outstanding clinical care of The University of Kansas Cancer Center, leveraging research and our clinicians’ expertise to bring innovative and leading-edge treatment to cancer patients across the region,” said Dr. Holzbeierlein.
Dr. Holzbeierlein received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and earned his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma. He completed his internship and residency at Vanderbilt University and joined The University of Kansas Health System after completing a fellowship in urologic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.
His research interests include the Hsp90 inhibitors in bladder cancer and clinically decreasing the morbidity associated with cystectomy. He has internal and external grant support, including a co-investigator role on an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health, and he is the principal investigator on a SWOG trial.
He serves in leadership roles for national urologic organizations, has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and has numerous presentations and abstracts in journals and textbooks dealing with urologic oncology.
Dr. Holzbeierlein is on the executive board of directors and past president of the south-central section of the American Urological Association. He is president of the Society of Urologic Oncology, where he is the past chair of the fellowship committee and serves on the executive board of the SUO.
He is on the American Board of Urology Oncology knowledge assessment examination committee and is a past assistant editor for the Journal of Urology. Currently, he is a member of the oral boards committee for the American Board of Urology and has served on numerous AUA committees, including the practice guidelines committee and the public media committee, and he has completed the AUA Leadership Program. Dr. Holzbeierlein has been an annual lecturer for an AUA course focusing on the management of high-risk bladder cancer that was selected as one of the “best courses” at the AUA.
In addition, he is on the genitourinary steering committee for the American Society of Clinical Oncology and is past chair and a founding member of the young urologic oncologists’ section of the SUO. He is a reviewer for the Journal of Urology, Cancer and Urologic Oncology. He also received the Resident Mentoring Award for faculty at The University of Kansas Hospital.