Theresa Werner, MD, Named Chief of the Division of Oncology
Oct 05, 2026
Read Time: 5 minutes
Takeaways:
Theresa Werner, MD, has been named chief of the Division of Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine.
Werner will lead the division’s clinical care, research, and education missions while supporting innovation, mentorship, and the next generation of oncology leaders.
Impact: Her leadership will help expand access to innovative cancer care and clinical trials for patients throughout Utah and the Mountain West.
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) and University of Utah Health announce the appointment of Theresa Werner, MD, as chief of the Division of Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
Werner is a nationally recognized physician-scientist, cancer clinical trials leader, and oncologist who has helped shape cancer care, research, and education at Huntsman Cancer Institute for nearly two decades. She joined the U in 2004 as a hematology-oncology fellow and became a faculty member in 2007.
She also holds additional leadership roles as deputy director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute and as a member of the Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO Cabinet.
She is a tenured professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, an adjunct professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the U, and the Karen H. Huntsman Presidential Endowed Chair in Women’s Cancer Research.
As chief of the Division of Oncology, Werner will oversee the division's clinical, research, and educational priorities while helping guide strategic efforts to expand access to innovative cancer care, advance clinical and translational research, and support the development of future oncology leaders.
"Dr. Werner is an exceptional physician-scientist, educator, and leader whose contributions have strengthened our work across cancer care, research, and education," says John Inadomi, MD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the U. "She is deeply respected by colleagues and trainees alike for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to excellence, and unwavering focus on improving the lives of patients with cancer. I am confident she will continue to advance the Division of Oncology and build upon its tradition of innovation and outstanding patient care."
"I am confident Dr. Werner will continue to advance the Division of Oncology and build upon its tradition of innovation and outstanding patient care."
John Inadomi, MD
"Dr. Werner brings an extraordinary combination of exceptional patient care, scientific leadership, and institutional experience to this role," says Bradley Cairns, PhD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute. "Her ability to connect clinical care with research and discovery will strengthen the Division of Oncology and help us deliver meaningful advances to patients throughout Utah and the Mountain West." Cairns describes Werner’s appointment in the division as a critical connector between academics, U of U Health, and Huntsman Cancer Institute. “Huntsman Cancer Institute is honored to partner across the University of Utah, bringing together expertise from throughout campus to advance research, innovation, and education informed by the real-world needs of cancer patients and their families.”
"Dr. Werner is an accomplished physician-scientist and a thoughtful, collaborative leader," says Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U. "Her national leadership, clinical expertise, and commitment to mentorship position her exceptionally well to guide the division's continued growth and innovation."
An oncologist specializing in gynecologic malignancies, Werner cares for patients with ovarian, endometrial, cervical, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers. Her clinical practice spans the continuum of cancer care, including treatment planning, clinical trials, management of treatment-related toxicities, survivorship, and end-of-life care. She also has extensive experience in breast cancer research and treatment.
Throughout her career, Werner has held numerous leadership positions across clinical care, research, and education. Before serving as deputy director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute, she served as senior director of clinical research. Earlier leadership roles include medical director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Office, where she played an instrumental role in the strategic growth of clinical trials impact at Huntsman Cancer Institute, working to recruit and train physician-scientists to lead clinical trials, implementing professional training for clinicians and staff to broaden the portfolio of investigator-initiated, pharmaceutical, national cooperative group and Phase 1 research, and more. She was also the associate director of the University of Utah Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program.
"Dr. Werner brings an extraordinary combination of exceptional patient care, scientific leadership, and institutional experience to this role."
Bradley Cairns, PhD
An internationally recognized investigator, Werner has led and contributed to numerous clinical trials focused on targeted therapies, immunotherapy, PARP inhibitors, biomarkers, and experimental therapeutics for gynecologic and breast cancers. Her research has advanced understanding of tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, genomic predictors of cancer outcomes, and novel approaches for patients with recurrent and treatment-resistant disease.
Werner's leadership extends to the national stage. She serves on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Ovarian Cancer Panel and the NCCN Ovarian Cancer Guidelines Value Pathways Panel and has helped shape national treatment guidelines and clinical resources for patients and providers. She also serves on the NCCN Guidelines Steering Committee and the NCCN Oncology Research Program. She has served as a special expert for the National Cancer Institute Gynecologic Cancer Steering Committee and contributed to multiple national cervical and endometrial cancer planning initiatives. As institutional principal investigator for NRG Oncology since 2013, she represents Utah in national cancer clinical trial leadership activities. She is a recipient of the National Cancer Institute Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award and a member of the Society of Huntsman Translational Scholars.
She also serves on the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative and is former chair of the AACI Clinical Research Innovation Steering Committee. She was instrumental in establishing the AACI Clinical Trials Office Medical Directors Forum and Associate Directors of Clinical Research Forum, guiding national efforts to improve cancer clinical trial operations and innovation.
"Dr. Werner's national leadership and commitment to mentorship position her exceptionally well to guide the division's continued growth and innovation."
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA
Werner’s appointment follows the exceptional leadership of Saundra Buys, MD, Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator and Distinguished Professor in the Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine at the U, who served as chief of the Division of Oncology for many years and played a pivotal role in advancing the division's clinical, research, and educational missions.
Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Health extend their sincere gratitude to Buys for her years of distinguished leadership and service. Leaders also expressed appreciation to Sarah Colonna, MD, oncologist and medical director of the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of internal medicine at the U, for providing leadership as interim co-chief of the division with Werner during the transition.
"It is a privilege to lead a division with such a deep commitment to patients and such extraordinary strength in discovery, clinical research, education, and care," Werner says. "Together, we will build on the foundation established by Dr. Buys to bring promising advances to patients more quickly and ensure that people throughout Utah and the Mountain West have access to the expertise, innovation, and the hope they deserve."
Outside of medicine, Werner finds her greatest joy and perspective in her family, including her husband and their two children, and in supporting them in their pursuits. “Being a parent and a volunteer in youth swimming and volleyball has taught me many of the same lessons I value in leadership: showing up consistently, creating opportunities for growth, celebrating progress, and helping people develop confidence in their own abilities,” she says.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Associate Director, Public Affairs
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 646-4120
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to create pioneering cancer treatments beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 400 open clinical trials and more than 300 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.
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