Breast surgical oncologist Helen Krontiras, M.D., has been named the new director of the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Krontiras came to UAB as an assistant professor 15 years ago and now serves as a professor in the Department of Surgery. She earned her medical degree and completed her residency at UAB before completing a surgical breast fellowship at Northwestern University. Her official start date as division director was Nov. 16.

"I am excited about the opportunity to provide leadership support to the outstanding group of faculty we have in the Division of Surgical Oncology that allows them to be successful in their academic efforts and clinical service," Krontiras said. "I believe the institutional knowledge I bring to this position will help us start accomplishing our goals more quickly."

Krontiras is the director of the UAB Breast Health Center, which was recently named one of the top breast health centers in the country. She is the co-director of the Lynne Cohen Preventive Care Program for Women's Cancer at UAB and the co-director of the Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment Clinic. She is also a senior scientist at the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and the assistant chief medical officer for Ambulatory Quality and Patient Safety for UAB Medicine.

"Dr. Krontiras is an outstanding clinician, researcher and educator," said Department of Surgery Chair Herbert Chen, M.D. "Her experience as a leader within the division made her an ideal candidate for the position."

Krontiras' primary research interests lie in the chemoprevention of breast cancer. At the UAB Breast Health Center, she works with other surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists to help about 450 new breast cancer patients every year. Currently, she is working as the clinical investigator on a new drug developed by UAB researchers.

"We've just completed the first in-human study of the rexinoid UAB30," Krontiras said. "We are excited about the clinical and preclinical data. It appears UAB30 might be able to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer with very little toxicity. We plan to begin the next phase of clinical trials in early 2017."

Department of Surgery Executive Vice-Chair Martin Heslin, M.D., said he has known Krontiras for more than 20 years and is confident of her ability to lead the division.

"We are excited for Dr. Krontiras to bring her knowledge, style and experience to this leadership position," Heslin said.