Roman Skoracki, MD, has been named medical director of the Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center (SSCBC) at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James).
He succeeds William Farrar, MD, the retired chief executive officer of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, who had served as the medical director of the SSCBC since its inception in 2011.
Dr. Skoracki, who joined Ohio State in 2014, also leads the division of oncologic plastic surgery at the OSUCCC – James and serves as a professor in the Ohio State College of Medicine, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.Prior to joining Ohio State, he spent 11 years at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he pioneered surgical procedures to relieve the side effects of lymphedema that he and his colleagues now teach around the world.
Under Dr. Skoracki’s leadership, the OSUCCC – James earned designation as a Comprehensive Center of Excellence in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lymphatic Diseases by the Lymphatic Education and Research Network (LE&RN) in 2020. This network extends its designation to hospitals that meet stringent quality standards for medical care of lymphedema and lymphatic diseases in patient communities, including oncology.
“Dr. Skoracki is an incredibly caring and talented surgeon. He is passionate about quality of life for his patients, and it shows in his care approach. The techniques he helped develop benefit patients in our community and beyond,” says Dr. Farrar.
Dr. Skoracki has dedicated his career to improving the quality of life for patients impacted by cancer, with a special focus on breast reconstruction and the surgical treatment of lymphedema. A recognized leader in the field of microsurgery, he has presented at international conferences and taught at other institutions across the United States and the world. He has authored or co-authored more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals, serves as section editor for several journals and is the co-editor of several textbooks.
“I am so honored to assume this role and help support this incredible team of breast cancer caregivers as we work together to bring the very best comprehensive breast cancer care to patients impacted by this disease – both during treatment and throughout survivorship,” says Skoracki.