Kristen Whitaker Joins the Department of Clinical Genetics at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Kristen Whitaker, MD.
Kristen Whitaker, MD.

PHILADELPHIA (July 23, 2018) – Fox Chase Cancer Center is pleased to announce the hiring of Kristen Whitaker, MD, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical Genetics. She will treat breast cancer patients and serve as a member of the clinical genetics team with a focus on breast cancer genetics and prevention.

Whitaker earned her medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and completed her internal medicine residency at George Washington University Hospital. She completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Chicago with a focus in breast cancer and clinical genetics.

“We’re very excited for Dr. Whitaker to join us at Fox Chase,” said Michael Hall, MD, MS, Interim Chair of the Department of Clinical Genetics. “Her experience treating breast cancer and conducting cancer risk research will be a strong addition to our department.”

The Fox Chase Cancer Center Department of Clinical Genetics offers a comprehensive cancer risk assessment service, leveraging family history review and genetic testing to develop individualized prevention options for each patient. The team determines whether patients are at a high risk for certain types of cancer through pedigree analysis of family history and genetic risk factors, as well as lifestyle and environmental factors.

Whitaker will begin at Fox Chase on July 23, 2018.

Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.

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