UPMC Hillman & Pitt School of Medicine announce New Radiation Oncology Leader

By: Cyndy Patton

Heath D. Skinner, M.D., Ph.D., has been appointed professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. Skinner, who currently serves as an associate professor of radiation oncology at Pitt as well as an investigator at UPMC Hillman, will take over the lead position on July 1.

Heath D. Skinner, M.D., Ph.D.

A physician-scientist by training, Skinner, who has been with Pitt & UPMC Hillman since 2018, specializes in the study and treatment of head and neck and lung cancers. He maintains an active translational research laboratory focused on identifying novel, clinically targetable biomarkers of resistance to radiation.

In his new role, Skinner will focus more on elevating the department’s reputation for excellence in academic radiation oncology and training the next generation of radiation oncologists. Clinically, he will focus on advancing UPMC Hillman’s radiation oncology services nationally and enhancing access to care.

Throughout his career, Skinner has had continuous funding for his laboratory almost since its inception, has published more than 110 peer-reviewed articles and been invited to present his work at numerous domestic and international symposiums. He has multiple currently funded grants from the NIH, has completed several randomized trials as principal investigator and is a member of the American Society of Clinical Investigation.

Skinner earned his M.D. and Ph.D. at West Virginia University and is board-certified in radiation oncology. He completed a combined internship and residency in radiation oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center prior to coming to the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC.