Justin F. Klamerus, M.D., MMM, appointed President of Karmanos Cancer Hospital

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Jan 17, 2017, 11:17 ET

DETROIT, Jan. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Justin F. Klamerus, M.D., MMM, has been appointed to president of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Hospital, the clinical operation of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Mich. The appointment is effective immediately. Dr. Klamerus will report directly to Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos Cancer Institute, one of 47 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country. Dr. Klamerus assumes the role after serving as interim president since April 2016, following the departure of Margaret Dimond, Ph.D. He will oversee all clinical operations at Karmanos' treatment locations in Detroit and Farmington Hills. He will also continue as associate professor of Oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Justin F. Klamerus, M.D., MMM, has been appointed president of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Hospital, the clinical operation of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Mich. Dr. Klamerus will oversee all clinical operations at Karmanos' treatment locations in Detroit and Farmington Hills. One of 47 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country, Karmanos Cancer Institute is the largest cancer research and provider network in Michigan.

"I'm confident Dr. Klamerus will continue to do an outstanding job leading our clinical operations," said Dr. Bepler. "His experience prior to coming to Karmanos as well as his track record since arriving here in early 2014 has earned the respect of staff; those working day-to-day with our most valued customers – our patients and their families. His insight as a physician and his ability to bring people together to work toward our mission of providing our patients with outstanding cancer care will continue to be a priority as we navigate the ever-changing healthcare environment."

Prior to being appointed president, Dr. Klamerus oversaw operations of the Karmanos Cancer Network – 14 cancer centers including nine radiation centers throughout Michigan. After the acquisition of Karmanos by McLaren Health Care in 2014, Karmanos became the largest cancer research and provider network in Michigan. Dr. Klamerus has served in various roles since joining the staff of Karmanos in early 2014, including executive vice president/chief quality officer and associate center director for Community Oncology.

"I have had the privilege of working with the exceptional team at Karmanos for the past three years and have seen first-hand their unprecedented level of compassion, commitment and expertise when serving our patients," said Dr. Klamerus. "I'm honored to serve as the next president of Karmanos Cancer Hospital and I know, together with Dr. Bepler and our team, we will continue to provide high-quality, state-of-the-science cancer care with compassion, dignity and determination that will lead to the next standard of cancer care."

Dr. Klamerus served as the president and medical director of the McLaren Cancer Institute from 2012-2014; and cancer program director at McLaren Northern Michigan from 2009-2012, where he also practiced medical oncology. At McLaren, Dr. Klamerus lead cancer research operations, serving as principal investigator for cancer research. During his tenure, McLaren saw a four-fold increase in cancer research accruals.

Dr. Klamerus is a graduate of the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University. He completed his residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He also served as a clinical instructor of Internal Medicine and as a lecturer in the College of Medicine and Public Health at Ohio State. Following his time at Ohio State, he attended Johns Hopkins University where he completed a fellowship in Medical Oncology. Dr. Klamerus earned a Master of Medical Management degree in the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University. Currently, he is completing a management fellowship in health system leadership in the General Electric Leadership Fellowship program of the Health Management Academy.

Dr. Klamerus is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, having served on several committees including the Clinical Practice and the Government Relations Committees. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium. Dr. Klamerus has served as the Program Director of the Michigan Oncology Clinical Treatment Pathways Program, a clinical quality initiative of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

He is board certified in medical oncology and internal medicine. His published works include the book, "The Johns Hopkins Patient Guide to Lung Cancer," and several papers on access to cancer clinical trials, health care disparities and cancer care delivery.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care, is one of 47 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute