Sidney Kimmel Medical College

Department of Medical Oncology

Our nationally renowned cancer experts provide care for patients with all types of cancers, ranging from common cancers such as lymphomas, lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, to far less common cancers such as melanomas originating in the eye and sarcomas. Innovative therapies are being evaluated through collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, various pharmaceutical companies, and programs developed within our department and/or the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson. Vaccine development and other forms of immunotherapy are under active investigation. Our medical oncologists also perform autologous and allogeneic bone marrow transplantations for selected forms of cancer.

Training the next generation of physicians and scientists, including the next generation of thought leaders, is also an important part of our mission. Our physicians provide didactic training and serve as role models for our students, residents, and fellows, allowing them to develop their clinical and investigative skills under the watchful eye of a seasoned practitioner. 

In all our efforts, our goal is to provide the best available today, while making sure something even better is available tomorrow.

Our Mission Statement  

“Reimagining cancer care delivery, discovery, and education”

Department of Medical Oncology Goals

• To develop a locally and nationally recognized unified Department of Medical Oncology that delivers outstanding, state of the art and compassionate oncology care seamless in the community and the academic setting
• To be a national leader in oncology research bringing novel discoveries and therapies to the patient we serve and beyond while increasing extramural funding.
• To nurture and grow our current medical oncology faculty to ensure they continue to be productive, creative and compassionate
• To educate, train and mentor the next generation of diverse cancer clinicians, researchers and leaders to continue the growth of the Jefferson Enterprise.
• To expand internal and external collaborations through innovation, novel partnerships and entrepreneurship to improve cancer care delivery, accelerate discovery and enhances education opportunities.

Department News

Over the summer months, our Department of Oncology has been growing rapidly as we continue to expand our programs and strengthen our commitment to providing exceptional, patient-centered cancer care. We are thrilled to welcome several outstanding new faculty members who bring a wealth of expertise and energy to our team. Dr. Hoda Badr, PhD, joined us on July 1, 2025, as Division Director of Population Science and Associate Director of SKCCC Population Science, where she will lead research initiatives focused on improving outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients and their families. Dr. Steven Manobianco, MD, became part of our Solid Tumor Division as a Breast Oncology Attending on August 1, 2025, bringing specialized experience in comprehensive breast cancer treatment. Dr. Joseph Van Galen, MD, MS, joined the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Division on August 17, 2025, as a BMT Attending, where he will enhance our transplant and cellular therapy programs. On September 1, 2025, Dr. Angela Kuehn, DO, joined the Supportive Oncology Division as a Palliative Care Attending, strengthening our integrated model of symptom management and quality-of-life care. Finally, we look forward to welcoming Dr. Kathleen (Casey) Degen, MD, on October 1, 2025, as a Jefferson Northeast (JNE) Attending, who will also be seeing breast cancer patients at the Honickman Center.  Khvaramze (Khako) Shaverdashvili, MD., PhD.  She  will be joining the Solid Tumor Division, Head/Neck/Lung groups on December 1, 2025.  Dr. Shaverdashvili is a physician-scientist with dual qualifications (MD and PhD) who practices oncology. Her training spans internal medicine, oncology, and biochemical research. She is active in both patient care and research, focusing on complex oncologic conditions and contributing to translational science.  We are excited about the expertise and leadership these new faculty members bring, as they help advance our mission of delivering cutting-edge oncology care, innovative research, and compassionate support to our patients and community. 

The inaugural Updates in Medical Oncology Symposium, held on November 3, 2025, was an outstanding success, marking an important milestone for the Department of Medical Oncology. The event brought together a multidisciplinary audience of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals for a day of highly engaging and informative sessions focused on the latest advances in cancer care. Participants gained valuable insights into emerging treatment strategies and innovations across multiple tumor types, and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, underscoring the symposium’s educational impact and clinical relevance.

At the conclusion of the activity, healthcare team members reported increased confidence in their ability to analyze recent advances in gastrointestinal malignancy treatments and assess their implications for patient management. They were able to evaluate the role of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing in clinical oncology by integrating current evidence into decision-making strategies, and describe the use of radiation oncology therapies for oligometastatic disease using updated therapeutic approaches. Participants also enhanced their ability to formulate treatment plans for multiple myeloma, applying new standards of care and recent clinical trial data, and to summarize the use of tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy in metastatic melanoma, recognizing both benefits and potential toxicities. In addition, they were able to apply updated treatment paradigms for genitourinary (GU) malignancies, incorporating advances from recent clinical trials into their daily practice.

Physicians who participated in the full symposium were eligible to receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™, recognizing their engagement in a program specifically designed to improve knowledge, competence, and clinical performance in oncology. Overall, the symposium served as a powerful platform for collaboration, innovation, and education, demonstrating the Department’s continued commitment to advancing clinical excellence, fostering professional growth, and ensuring that patients benefit from the most current, evidence-based cancer care available.