Christopher Willett, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology, will step down from his leadership role as soon as a new Chair can be identified. He will continue to serve as the Mark W. Dewhirst Distinguished Professor of Radiation Oncology.
Under his leadership, the Department has grown and thrived across all missions and has been recognized as a globally preeminent academic leader. Dr. Willett has advanced the field through compassionate patient care and pioneering research, as well the education, training and mentoring of generations of radiation oncologists.
He has been involved in developing clinical protocols for both gastrointestinal cancer and intraoperative radiation therapy – two areas in which he is recognized as an international expert.
Dr. Willett is active in multiple professional societies, including the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the world’s largest radiation oncology society, and his commitment to research, patient care and education has been recognized with honors including ASTRO’s Gold Medal Award, the Teacher of the Year Award from the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology and the Radiation Oncology Teaching Award at Duke.
"For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of serving as Chair of our Department," said Dr. Willett. "We have worked to provide our patients and their families exceptional care and advance our important missions of research and education. It has been rewarding for all of us as a team to see the remarkable contributions, growth and commitment of our faculty, trainees and staff over these years, especially during some difficult and challenging times. Thank you all for your support and commitment over these many years and as we move forward during the transition."
A formal search will begin soon to identify a new Chair for the Department of Radiation Oncology.