PHILADELPHIA (June 25, 2025) — Jeffrey Farma, MD, FACS, Chair and Professor in the Department of Surgery, was honored today for his appointment to the Paul Grotzinger and Wilbur Raab Chair in Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Endowed chairs represent one of the highest honors in academic medicine. They not only memorialize pioneering figures but also empower future leaders who embody those same standards of excellence.
“From his early days as an Assistant Professor, Dr. Farma has dedicated himself in every way to our Fox Chase mission of cancer discovery and delivery,” said Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS, President and CEO of Fox Chase.
“Fresh from fellowship, he embarked on a journey here during which time we have witnessed his growth and have been uplifted by his insights. With every step, he has demonstrated great surgical expertise and academic rigor, while always holding dear the humanity of every patient.”
Established in 2001, this endowed chair commemorates the legacy of Paul Grotzinger, MD, a foundational figure in Fox Chase’s history. As the first Chief of Surgery at Fox Chase and a pivotal force behind the center’s 1974 National Cancer Institute designation, Grotzinger laid the groundwork for the excellence that Fox Chase continues to pursue today. The chair was also made possible through a generous bequest from G. Wilbur Raab, a grateful patient of Fox Chase, along with contributions from Grotzinger’s family and friends.
“As the holder of this chair, Dr. Farma carries on Dr. Grotzinger’s legacy as current Chair of the Department of Surgery,” said Sanjay S. Reddy, MD, FACS, Division Chief of Surgical Oncology and the Marvin S. Greenberg, MD, Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Surgery. “Dr. Farma’s achievements as a clinician, researcher, mentor, and advocate provide ample evidence as to why he is so deserving of the Grotzinger and Raab Chair.”
Farma graduated from Tufts University in Boston and earned his medical degree from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. He completed his surgical residency at Temple University Hospital and surgical oncology fellowships at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, and Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida — two of the nation’s leading cancer programs — before joining Fox Chase in 2009 as an Assistant Professor.
Since then, Farma has built a nationally respected surgical career. In addition to his other roles, he is the Surgical Director of the Melanoma and Skin Cancer Program. His clinical expertise spans colorectal cancers, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, sarcomas, melanoma, and other complex skin malignancies. He is adept in both traditional and minimally invasive techniques, as well as regional therapies.
Farma has helped make Fox Chase a destination for patients in need of expert care in complex and rare cancers. As a mentor, he engages with learners across all levels — from high school students to surgical oncology fellows — and has played an instrumental role in cultivating the next generation of physicians and researchers. As a dedicated educator and thought leader, he serves on numerous boards and committees for surgical and cancer societies nationally.
Beyond his clinical and academic achievements, Farma is deeply engaged in community service. He is a regular supporter of advocacy and awareness events, such as the Melanoma Research Foundation’s Miles for Melanoma, at which he leads a Fox Chase team, and the Kicks for Cancer fundraiser at Abington Friends School.
“Fox Chase has a special way of nurturing great science and medicine, and the people who dedicate themselves to this work. With this latest milestone in Dr. Farma’s career, we look forward to seeing where he takes us with his future achievements,” said Uzzo.