MUSC Names Next President

Medical University of South Carolina Names Oncology Surgeon and Researcher as Next President

Charleston, S.C. – The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Board of Trustees has named David J. Cole, M.D., oncology surgeon and researcher at MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center, president of the university and its affiliated medical centers. Board members made the announcement after a special meeting April 17.

Along with his research and clinical roles with Hollings Cancer Center, Cole currently serves MUSC as president of MUSC Physicians and as chairman of the Department of Surgery.

“It’s exciting to have a long-time cancer specialist and researcher stepping into the role of president at MUSC,” said Andrew S. Kraft, M.D., director of the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC. “I’ve worked with Dr. Cole for many years and have great admiration for his skills as a surgeon, researcher, and leader. I believe this combination will serve MUSC well and keep cancer research and treatment at the forefront of the university’s mission.”

Cole earned his medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in Maryland and completed his residency training in general surgery at Emory University. After residency, Cole completed a surgical oncology fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute Surgery Branch in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1994, Cole became an assistant professor in the MUSC College of Medicine and has served in a variety of faculty and leadership positions at MUSC since then, earning tenure in 2001. His awards, board appointments, editorial positions, committee and society participation and research successes are numerous.

Cole was selected from more than 50 applicants in the nearly year-long, nationwide search for new leadership. Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D. stepped down from the presidency last August to take a leadership position with the University of Texas Health System in Austin.