PORTLAND, Oregon — This story comes from the Portland Business Journal, a KGW News partner. Click here to read the full story.
Dr. Brian Druker, who built the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute into a world class cancer research center, on Tuesday announced his resignation, saying that the institution has "lost sight of what is crucial and forgotten (its) mission."
Druker, who confirmed his resignation, served 17 years as KCI’s director. In May, he announced he was taking on a new role and the title of CEO so he could focus on long-term vision and strategic planning, fundraising, donor engagement and clinical research.
He said he plans to remain an OHSU faculty member, run his lab and see patients.
One of Druker’s major accomplishments during his tenure was fulfilling the Knight Cancer Challenge. Under his leadership, OHSU raised $500 million in donations to match a $500 million gift from Nike Inc. co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny and built a lab and research center on Portland's South Waterfront.
Druker himself is acclaimed in the cancer research field for his pioneering work on developing the drug Gleevec to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, the first medication that specifically targeted cancer cells. CML patients can now expect to live a normal life span, rather than facing a death sentence.
"Throughout my career, I have had opportunities to lead some of the largest medical institutions in the world," Druker said in the letter announcing his resignation. "But more than titles or prominence, I have always come back to what would have the most impact on advancing cancer research and improving patients’ lives. I always believed at this institution, in this beautiful, under the radar spot of the world, we could do things that no one else could."
But, Druker added, his goals as an administrator for advancing cancer research and improving patient care were "no longer achievable at OHSU."
OHSU, meanwhile, has undergone a tumultuous year, with hundreds of layoffs and the abrupt resignation of President Dr. Danny Jacobs, all while moving forward with its planned acquisition of Legacy Health. A recent employee survey revealed a lack of confidence in senior leadership, while the leader of the Faculty Senate has also pointed to a "pervasive lack of organizational trust."
OHSU released a statement to KGW News confirming Druker's resignation and said it looks forward to collaborating with him in the future.
"Dr. Druker has led the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute since 2007 and leaves an indelible legacy, such as the successful completion of the historic Knight Cancer Challenge," the statement read. "OHSU is grateful for his many years of leadership and looks forward to continued collaboration with him at OHSU through his research and patient care endeavors."
KGW News contributed to this report.