Julie Vose, M.D., UNMC oncologist, recently was named chief of the section of hematology/oncology, UNMC department of internal medicine, following an extensive national search. Dr. Vose succeeds Ken Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., who served as interim section chief the past two years. Prior to that, Anne Kessinger, M.D., UNMC oncologist, served as section chief for eight years.
The section consists of nearly 70 faculty, staff and fellows, whose goal is to support the UNMC/Nebraska Health System adult cancer program through cancer diagnosis, treatment, research and education.
“An outstanding role model, leader”
“We are extraordinarily lucky to have attracted her to this position,” said James Armitage, M.D., oncologist and dean of the UNMC College of Medicine whose association with Dr. Vose began when she was a medical student. “She will serve as an outstanding role model and leader.”
“I believe that Dr. Vose will be an outstanding leader in this capacity,” said John L. Gollan, M.D., Ph.D., Henry J. Lehnhoff Professor and Chairman, UNMC department of internal medicine. “Her vision for the development of clinical oncology services, in partnership with the Nebraska Health System, and for the expansion of oncology research and education will further enhance the quality and identity of this key program.”
Dr. Vose, who is considered one of the country’s leading experts on lymphoma, currently is principal investigator or co-investigator for clinical research grants totaling more than $6 million. One of her research efforts focuses on tailor-made cancer vaccines for patient’s with lymphoma. UNMC is one of 23 cancer centers in the United States studying this promising therapy.
Dr. Vose shares her goals
“The appointment is an honor for me,” Dr. Vose said. “After being at UNMC for the past 23 years, I have seen it grow and expand into a modern cancer center with the ability for us to administer many novel treatments for our patients and to interact with scientists in translational research for the next generation of agents. My goals are to add several new clinical and research faculty in the areas of breast, gastrointestinal, head and neck and lung cancer as well as bone marrow and stem cell transplantation.
“We want to expand the interactions between the clinical and basic scientists to bring new discoveries to the clinic to improve the care for our patients,” she said. “The part of my work that is the
most gratifying is when we have patients that come to us from all over the United States to receive new therapies. They often complement us on the personalized care they receive here, which they appreciate as well as the opportunity to receive new therapies they could not get at home. I am always happy when they recover from their treatments and are able to return to their family and friends.”
Career path
Dr. Vose graduate in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, then graduated from UNMC’s medical technology program with distinction in 1979. In 1984, she earned her medical degree from UNMC then did her residency in internal medicine at UNMC from 1984 to 1987. She served as chief resident from 1987 to 1988 and then served a fellowship in oncology/hematology from 1988 to 1990 at UNMC.
Dr. Vose was named assistant professor in 1990, associate professor in 1994 and professor in 1998. She served as vice chairman of the department of internal medicine from 1997 to 1999.
Leadership roles
Board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology, Dr. Vose is co-director of the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group and chair of the North American Bone Marrow Transplant Registry. She currently is editor of the Leukemia and Lymphoma journal and has served on various cancer publications editorial boards.
Awards
Some of the awards Dr. Vose has received include the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine Clinical Research Award (2000), the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Evelyn Hoffman Memorial Award for Excellence in Lymphoma Research (2000), UNMC Young Investigator Award Recipient (1994), Michael Horbach Award for Student Excellence in Hematology (1984) and American Cancer Society Clinical Oncology Fellowship (1988 and 1989).
Memberships
Dr. Vose is currently a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the International Society of Experimental Hematology, and the American Association of Cancer Research. She’s authored or co-authored 161 manuscripts, 34 book chapters and 176 abstracts, and has given more than 300 lectures and presentations internationally in her field of expertise.