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The University of Tennessee Health Science Center

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Sheila Champlin – (901) 448-4957

 

 

Mathew Ninan, MD, Named Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology

in the College of Medicine, Memphis,

a University of Tennessee Health Science Center Campus

Memphis, Tenn. (May 2, 2008) – Timothy C. Fabian, MD, Harwell Wilson Alumni Professor and chairman of the department of surgery for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), announces the formation of a new division of surgical oncology within the department of surgery and the newly appointed division chief, Mathew Ninan, MD, in the College of Medicine. 

Dr. Ninan received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the Jawharlal Nehru Medical College of Belgaum, India.  He completed his residency in cardiothoracic surgery with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.  He also completed an advanced fellowship in thoracic surgery and transplantation with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals, United Kingdom. He was then appointed assistant professor of thoracic surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for six years, where he served as the director of the Lung Transplant and Lung Failure Program, as well as thoracic surgical oncologist to the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.  He also completed a master’s degree in clinical investigation from Vanderbilt University. Dr. Ninan is a board certified cardiothoracic surgeon and currently serves as the attending thoracic surgeon for Baptist Memorial Healthcare System in Memphis. 

Dr. Fabian said, “I am proud to announce the formation of the division of surgical oncology in the department of surgery at the UT Health Science Center and UT Medical Group in Memphis.  We are very fortunate to have Dr. Mathew Ninan lead this new division. This program will provide a significant advance in the treatment of malignant tumors for patients in this region. The surgeons in the division have expertise in the treatment of cancers of the lung, breast, digestive tract and pancreas, as well as other solid tumors including melanomas and sarcomas.  In concert with our hematology-oncology specialists and basic science research team, Memphis will become a national leader in adult cancer care and research.”

“The UT Health Science Center has implemented an innovative concept in cancer care,” commented Dr. Mathew Ninan, associate professor of surgery and chief of the division of surgical oncology. “Bringing together such a group of experienced surgeons focused on surgery for cancer will give a real boost to cancer care in our community. The department of surgery should be commended for its vision of establishing the first combined division of this kind in the region.”

“Dr. Ninan is an accomplished surgeon with an impressive pedigree. His vast knowledge and experience as a thoracic surgeon will greatly enhance the services currently provided by our surgeons to the residents of Memphis and the surrounding regions.  As the leader of the newly created division of surgical oncology, I believe Dr. Ninan will lead ably a group of outstanding surgeons to become nationally recognized among the field of surgical oncology,” said UTHSC Executive Dean Steve Schwab. 

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of education, research, clinical care and public service, all in support of a single goal: to improve the health of Tennesseans.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  UTHSC has additional College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy campuses in Knoxville and a College of Medicine campus in Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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