Dr. Robert Uzzo Appointed President and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center

Robert Uzzo, MD, MBA, FACS, has been formally named President and CEO of Fox Chase Cancer Center following a period of interim leadership.

In addition, Dr. Uzzo will assume the roles of EVP, Cancer Services for Temple University Health System and Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Cancer Research at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Along with these new roles, he retains the G. Willing “Wing” Pepper Chair in Cancer Research.

“Dr. Uzzo is an internationally recognized urologic cancer surgeon and researcher with a proven track record of leadership success in the complex academic medical center setting, building innovative academic and research programs and strengthening clinical care,” said Michael A. Young, MHA, FACHE, President and CEO of Temple University Health System, in making the announcement. “Respected by patients and colleagues alike, he is a compassionate leader who is uniquely qualified to guide Fox Chase’s success well into the future.”

Over the past year, Dr. Uzzo’s leadership has significantly advanced Fox Chase’s clinical, operational, research, and financial performance. As interim CEO, he and his management teams led Fox Chase to double-digit increases in new patient volumes, setting the institution on track for the highest number of new patient visits, OR cases, and radiation starts in its 100+-year history. With its enhanced revenue, Fox Chase is able to make capital upgrades and investments in new technology, software, and equipment. These are not simply financial transactions; they are significant advances in patient experience, enhanced access to therapies, better outcomes, and more efficient processes to further accelerate the pace of cancer discovery and delivery.

“Dr. Uzzo has also overseen ongoing and vigorous faculty recruitment of top clinical and research talent to Fox Chase, and his partnership with Cancer Center Director Jonathan Chernoff, MD, PhD, is strengthening research funding and increasing the number of new clinical trials, new grants, and publications in top journals,” Young added. “In his new role as Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Cancer Research, he will build further partnerships with the Katz School of Medicine.”

Since joining Fox Chase in 2000 after completing fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Uzzo has made this institution his professional home. Skilled in open, laparoscopic and robotic urologic surgery, he is specialty trained in organ-sparing and reconstructive surgical techniques. During his tenure, he rose to the role of Chair of Fox Chase’s Department of Surgery until being named to his most recent appointments, and has served as one of the main architects of Fox Chase’s nationally recognized urology program, which today continues to experience significant growth through integration and collaboration at the Health System level.

His peers hold him in high esteem, reflected in his consistent presence as a Philadelphia magazine Top Doctor since 2002. In addition, Dr. Uzzo launched and serves as President of Fox Chase’s Medical Group, representing the clinical faculty within the institution. Among his research collaborations, he has led dozens of national and international clinical trials in urologic cancers that have had a major impact on the field of urology. He has published more than 500 peer-reviewed publications and chapters in urologic oncology, and has lectured extensively including engagements as a visiting professor at more than 50 institutions throughout the world.

Dr. Uzzo is a diplomat of the American Board of Urology, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an elected member of both the prestigious American Association of Genitourinary Surgeons and the Clinical Society of GU Surgeons whose membership is limited to no more than 25 of the most accomplished urologic surgeons in the country. Among his many accolades, he is the recipient of the 2018 SUO Medal, among the highest honors presented by the Society of Urologic Oncology, for his significant contributions to this field and the 2014 Residents National Committee Teaching Award from the American Urological Association.

Dr. Uzzo earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College and completed general surgical training followed by urologic surgical training at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He was an American Foundation for Urological Diseases Scholar in Urological Oncology and completed fellowships in urologic oncology as well as renal transplantation at the Cleveland Clinic. He received his MBA in 2019 from Temple University’s Fox School of Business where he was named a Distinguished Scholar.

“Dr. Uzzo is passionate about the mission of Fox Chase Cancer Center and approaches his leadership roles with a sense of conviction, collaboration, and inclusion. This work extends throughout our Temple Health community as we partner together to deliver excellent cancer care to even more patients,” said Young.