Huntsman Cancer Institute Awards and Appointments Fall 2026
Oct 30, 2026
Read Time: 5 minutes
Faculty and staff of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) continue to earn recognition for leadership, innovation, and meaningful contributions to cancer research, prevention, and care. These highlights of recent awards and appointments recognize advances in cancer research, new leadership and editorial appointments, career development and fellowship achievements, and contributions to improving cancer care and patient communities.
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, Appointed Chief Operating Officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute Clinical Campuses and Chief Medical Officer of the Cancer Care Line
Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U), has been appointed chief operating officer of Huntsman Cancer Institute Clinical Campuses and chief medical officer of the Cancer Care Line. In these expanded roles, Apte will provide operational leadership for cancer care services across the Salt Lake City and Vineyard campuses and clinical leadership and strategic direction across the cancer care continuum. His responsibilities include overseeing quality, patient experience, access, physician practice operations, workforce engagement, clinical trials support, research integration, fiscal stewardship, and sustainable growth.
Theresa Werner, MD, Named Chief of the Division of Oncology
Theresa Werner, MD, has been named chief of the Division of Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine at the U. A nationally recognized physician-scientist and longtime leader at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Werner serves as deputy director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center and will lead the division’s clinical care, research, and education missions while helping expand access to innovative cancer care and clinical trials across Utah and the Mountain West.
Brian Mitzman, MD, MS, FACS, FCCP, Named Inaugural Executive Editor Cardiothoracic Surgery Journal
Brian Mitzman, MD, MS, FACS, FCCP, Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator, associate professor of surgery at the U, and medical director of robotic surgery for University of Utah Health, has been named the inaugural executive editor for general thoracic surgery for The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, a cardiothoracic surgery journal. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is the number one cardiothoracic surgery journal in the world by both citations and impact factor. During this new role as executive editor, Mitzman will oversee all general thoracic surgery submissions, help shape editorial strategy, and guide the research that reaches surgeons around the world.
Gita Suneja, MD, MS, Elected as the Healthcare Access and Community Engagement Council Vice Chair for the American Society of Radiation Oncology Board of Directors
Gita Suneja, MD, MS, physician-scientist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of radiation oncology at the U, has been elected vice chair of the Healthcare Access and Community Engagement Council for the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Board of Directors. In this leadership role, Suneja will focus on reducing barriers to radiation therapy, strengthening engagement with communities, and supporting mentorship and research opportunities for trainees and early career professionals.
Rachel Ceballos, PhD, MS, Appointed Director of Utah Area Health Education Center
As director, Rachel Ceballos, PhD, MS, senior director of community outreach and engagement at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of family medicine and public health at the U, oversees a statewide network of three regional AHEC centers with programs spanning the educational continuum from middle school through medical residency, providing mentorship, hands-on learning, clinical experiences, and professional development opportunities. The Utah Area Health Education Centers program enhances access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals via strategic partnerships with academic programs, communities, and professional organizations in Utah.
Taylor Kujawa, PharmD, to Receive 2026 University of Utah College of Pharmacy Alumni Rising Star Award
Taylor Kujawa, PharmD, hematology and BMT pharmacy supervisor, will receive the Rising Star Award from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, which recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership, and impact early in their careers. Her clinical interests include treating acute leukemias and improving care for adolescent and young adult cancer patients. She is dedicated to teaching and mentoring pharmacy students and residents at the U and contributes to oncology research through the Hematology Research Outcomes (HERO) Consortium, collaborating on efforts to advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
Shannon Elf, PhD, Named a 2026 Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) Hero
Shannon Elf, PhD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of internal medicine at the U, has been recognized as a 2026 MPN Hero by Incyte. Her work advances understanding of MPN biology while strengthening connections across research, clinical care, and the patient community. As founder of the MPN working group at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Elf also helps make complex MPN science more accessible to patients and caregivers.
Kate Warde, PhD, Receives National Cancer Institute K99 Career Development Award
Kate Warde, PhD, postdoctoral research associate at Huntsman Cancer Institute, received the NCI K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award for her project, “Harnessing Androgen-Driven Immune Modulation to Enhance Immunotherapy for Endocrine Cancers.” Her research examines how hormones called androgens influence the immune system and how those effects could be used to improve immunotherapy for endocrine cancers. The NCI career development award supports promising postdoctoral researchers as they complete mentored training and transition to independent cancer research careers.
Huntsman Cancer Institute was once again named among the nation’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care with Money awarding the institute an A+ oncology rating and a five-star quality score. The institute also earned recognition as the No. 1 cancer hospital in Utah and the Salt Lake City metro area and received “High Performing” recognition in cancer care from U.S. News & World Report. In addition, the Kathryn F. Kirk Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care and Women’s Cancers achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its sustainable design and construction. Becker’s Healthcare also included Huntsman Cancer Institute on its 2026 list of “100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs,” highlighting the institute’s leadership in genetic research, compassionate care, and more than 400 active clinical trials. The institute was also named a nominee for Soliant Health’s 2026 Most Beautiful Hospitals contest.
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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