Dr. Hannah Hazard-Jenkins named permanent director of the WVU Cancer Institute

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Hannah Hazard-Jenkins, M.D., associate chair of surgery for cancer services, has been named the permanent director of the WVU Cancer Institute after having served in the position on an interim basis since January.

“As a native West Virginian, it is my honor to serve in this role for the people of my home state and the surrounding region. I have been and will always be committed to ensuring that everyone who seeks us out for care has access to the latest advancements in treatment, procedures, and clinical trials regardless of where they come into our system – whether it’s at our flagship campus in Morgantown or one of our regional sites,” Dr. Hazard-Jenkins said. “My goal is to continue to improve outcomes for all cancer patients in West Virginia, so that they make the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor.”

As the director of clinical services for the WVU Cancer Institute’s Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, Hazard-Jenkins helped manage clinical affairs and programmatic development, as well as the Institute’s statewide network of cancer care. She also serves as the director of the Institute’s Comprehensive Breast Cancer Program and as chief of staff at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital.

“Dr. Hazard-Jenkins is the perfect person to lead the WVU Cancer Institute because she has made cancer care in West Virginia – from research to patient care to education – her life’s work. She understands the challenges our patients face, including the types of cancers and compounding chronic conditions West Virginians most often face as well as the geographic and socioeconomic barriers to treatment,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the West Virginia University Health System, said. “As a result, she is a champion for every patient who walks through our doors and treats each and every one of them like family. You will be hard pressed to find someone more dedicated to reversing the cancer burden in this state.”

Hazard-Jenkins completed her medical education and internship and residency training in general surgery at the WVU School of Medicine and a fellowship in breast diseases at Northwestern University in Chicago. She is board certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery.

“Dr. Hazard-Jenkins always places our patients and their families first in their quest for care and healing at the WVU Cancer Institute,” Clay B. Marsh, M.D., vice president and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said. “She is a tireless educator, a compassionate care provider, and a visionary leader who brings enthusiasm, innovation, and a talent for connecting research and clinical teams to this role. As a West Virginian and graduate of the WVU School of Medicine, she is intimately aware of the needs of our state.”

She has earned several accolades over the years due to her service to patients and trainees, including being named Clinician of the Year, the Bernard Zimmerman Outstanding Attending Surgeon, and the Ron Albuquerque Medical Student Teaching Award. Hazard-Jenkins has served as an invited speaker at more than two dozen regional and national events and has authored and co-authored more than 45 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and selected abstracts and poster presentations.

For more information on the WVU Cancer Institute, visit WVUMedicine.org/Cancer.