The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research is pleased to welcome Dr. Mark D. Girgis as the new Director of the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases.
As Director of the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases, Dr. Girgis will provide leadership across the Center’s clinical, research, and education programs. His appointment builds on his longstanding commitment to advancing innovative surgical care and developing new treatment approaches for patients with pancreatic and related cancers.
Dr. Girgis is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director of Robotic Surgery. He leads UCLA’s pancreatobiliary and gastroesophageal tumor multidisciplinary programs, bringing extensive expertise in pancreaticobiliary and gastric diseases and in robotic and minimally invasive surgical approaches.
His research program reflects his commitment to translating scientific discoveries into new options for patients. His work includes clinical trials conducted in collaboration with nuclear medicine, translational research investigating AXL inhibition as a potential treatment for pancreatic and bile duct cancers, and laboratory research focused on developing novel small molecules for radioligand-based imaging and therapy.
Dr. Girgis also brings significant leadership within the broader surgical oncology community. He serves as surgical chair of the neuroendocrine tumor guidelines for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), is an editor for Annals of Surgical Oncology, and serves on committees within several leading surgical oncology and cancer research organizations. He also serves as an Associate Program Director of the UCLA General Surgery Residency Program, where he mentors the next generation of surgeons.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Girgis into this leadership role at the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases,” said Dr. Joe Hines, Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “His expertise in surgical oncology, commitment to innovation, and dedication to multidisciplinary care make him an outstanding leader for the Center as we continue working to improve outcomes for people affected by pancreatic cancer.”
Dr. Girgis succeeds Dr. Timothy Donahue, who recently departed UCLA to become Chair of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and Surgeon-in-Chief at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Donahue has provided outstanding leadership and dedication to advancing pancreatic cancer care and research at UCLA. Dr. Donahue will remain on our Scientific Advisory Board and dear friend of the Foundation.
The Hirshberg Foundation established the UCLA Agi Hirshberg Center for Pancreatic Diseases to advance collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and patients and accelerate progress in pancreatic cancer care and research. Under Dr. Girgis’ leadership, the Center will continue its commitment to bringing innovative science and clinical expertise together to improve the lives of patients and families affected by pancreatic cancer.
The Hirshberg Foundation is delighted to welcome Dr. Girgis to this new leadership role. We look forward to partnering with him and the UCLA team as the Center builds on its strong legacy of collaboration, innovation, and compassionate care. Together, we will continue to drive innovative pancreatic cancer research and provide the highest standard of multidisciplinary care for patients and their families.
