HUNTINGTON, WV – Uma Sundaram, MD, a physician researcher with decades of experience in translational medicine, has been named Director of the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center (ECCC) at Cabell Huntington Hospital and Vice Dean for Clinical and Translational Sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (JCESOM). 

Dr. Sundaram is a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist and a leading translational investigator who has received significant grant funding over the years for research related to gastroenterology and cancers specific to gastroenterology. 

In his research role at the JCESOM and ECCC, Dr. Sundaram will continue his work on intestinal absorption of nutrients in inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer, which is funded with grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).   Most recently, Dr. Sundaram served as director of the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) and assistant vice president of the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center.  At the WVCTSI, he was the principal investigator and program director for the $19.6 million NIH grant, the largest NIH grant to West Virginia to date.  He also was a professor of medicine, microbiology, immunology and cell biology at West Virginia University School of Medicine. 

“We are so pleased that Dr. Sundaram, who is one of the leading translational investigators in the world, is joining us at Marshall,” said Joseph I. Shapiro, MD, Dean of JCESOM. “His scholarly research acumen, coupled with his outstanding abilities as a physician, will be a great asset to our community as we continue to build research programs and clinical care that help patients in our region.” 

For more than 20 years, Dr. Sundaram’s research has been funded with grants from the NIH and other agencies. He has authored or co-authored more than 160 papers, book chapters and abstracts and presented at more than 70 national medical conferences. Additionally, during his career he has mentored more than 50 junior faculty, gastroenterology and postdoctoral fellows, medical and graduate students. 

As Director of the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Sundaram will continue his career-long commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care. 

As a physician, Dr. Sundaram will specialize in caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, hepatobilliary diseases and in therapeutic billiary and interventional endoscopy and other diseases related to the digestive system. He will see patients at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center. 

“Dr. Sundaram shares our vision for the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, and we look forward to his leadership in promoting a culture of excellence and innovation, ensuring the highest standards of care and extending our distinction in clinical care, education and research,” said Brent A. Marsteller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cabell Huntington Hospital. “His experience and understanding of the unique community we serve will be a positive force in achieving the ECCC’s mission of providing the best and most comprehensive cancer care for the region.” 

Dr. Sundaram began his education studying bioengineering at Johns Hopkins University, where his interest in basic, clinical and translational research was born. He earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Ohio (University of Toledo College of Medicine) and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. Dr. Sundaram then completed a fellowship at the Division of Digestive Diseases of Yale University School of Medicine. His board certifications include the National Board of Medical Examiners, Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. 

The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center is the Huntington/Tri-State region’s most comprehensive cancer center that includes specialists in areas of radiation oncology, surgical oncology, medical oncology and hematology, orthopedic oncology, pediatric oncology, surgical breast oncology, clinical trials and cancer research. It is located on the campus of Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Visit www.edwardsccc.org to learn more.

Photo credit – Rick Haye/Marshall University

Date Posted: Thursday, June 6, 2013