15 Oct 2014

Toronto Univ.Health Network Pres.&CEO Surgical Oncologist Peter PISTERS MD(U.West.Ont.) Master Health Management (Harvard) FACS

UHN’s Board Chair announces new CEO



​​​Image of Dr. Peter Pisters
Dr. Pisters says returning to Canada as President & CEO of UHN is a​ challenge and a privilege.​​
​ I am very happy to be able to send this message and tell you that we have concluded our international search for UHN's President  & CEO and that Dr. Peter Pisters will be joining us on January 1, 2015.  UHN's Board of Trustees and the Selection Committee knew how important it was to find someone who understood and was committed to superb clinical care, world-class research, and a teaching environment that supports and encourages all members of UHN's community.  We also know that we had to find someone who was completely committed to our efforts to have our patients know that they are partners in their care.
I speak for all members of the Board and the Selection Committee when I say that we have found that person in Peter.
Dr. Pisters is currently the Vice President, Regional Care System at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas.  He is an internationally known academic surgical oncologist with a specialty focus in sarcoma and gastrointestinal cancers, and an Executive Fellow (2014-15) in the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology.  Dr. Pisters is a graduate of The University of Western Ontario (MD) and Harvard University School of Public Health (M.Sc. in Health Care Management).  He was Chief Administrative Fellow in the early nineties at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and prior to that his internship and residency were completed at New York University Medical Center – Bellevue Hospital.
So – as you see from his medical degree, Peter is Canadian and is returning home after an extraordinary career in the U.S.  I know that Peter and his family are very excited about the move that means that Peter will now lead Canada's pre-eminent research hospital.  In the coming months he will be in Toronto to find a home and begin the task of getting to know UHN and all of the people that make this organization such a special place.  You will find him warm, easy to talk to and committed to making this the very best place for care, while supporting our people to be the best they can be.
Justine Jackson will continue as Interim President & CEO and I know that I also speak for everyone on the Board to say that Justine is doing a wonderful job in ensuring that UHN remains stable during this period.  In fact, I can say that Justine has done much more than maintain stability – she has been pushing forward on a number of fronts and I know that she will be invaluable to Peter, as will all members of the senior team.
I would like to thank all members of the Selection Committee for their commitment to this process and all members of the Board of Trustees for their support and encouragement throughout.  And I would ask that every member of the UHN team join with me in congratulating Peter on his appointment and welcoming him home.

​ John Mulvihill
Chair of the Board of Trustees
​University Health Networ

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Vice-President, Regional Care System, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement


Peter W.T. Pisters, MD, MHCM, CPE, FACS, FACHE
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Regional Care System
Houston, TX, USA
Dr. Peter W.T. Pisters is an academic surgeon and physician executive at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. As, a Professor of Surgery, Dr. Pisters has clinical experience and academic interest in gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas. Dr. Pisters has held leadership positions in national medical organizations and cooperative groups dedicated to advancing the science and treatment of cancer. He is also a member of the editorial board of multiple surgery and oncology journals and has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and 70 book chapters.

 As Vice President and Medical Director of MD Anderson’s Regional Care System, Dr. Pisters provides leadership and direction in areas that include strategy, business development, and operations for MD Anderson’s regional operations.   These regional care centers are clinically integrated with MD Anderson’s Texas Medical Center campus and provided services for 5200 new cancer patients in FY12.

Office Address

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
7007 Bertner Avenue
Unit 1639
Unit Number: 1407
Houston, TX 77030
Room Number: 1MC10.2206
Phone: 713-794-1572
Email: ppisters@mdanderson.org

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2014 Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, MS, Healthcare Management
1985 University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, MD, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

7/1993-6/1994 Chief Administrative Fellow, Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Murray F. Brennan, M.D.
7/1992-6/1994 Clinical Fellowship, Surgical Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Murray F. Brennan, M.D.
7/1989-6/1992 Senior and Chief Resident, General Surgery, New York University Medical Center-Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, NY, Frank C. Spencer, M.D.
7/1987-6/1989 Research Fellowship, Surgical Metabolism Laboratory, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, Murray F. Brennan, M.D.
7/1985-6/1987 Intern and Junior Resident, General Surgery, New York University Medical Center - Bellevue Hospital Center, New York, NY, Frank C. Spencer, M.D.

Board Certifications

2013 American Board of Surgery

Experience/Service

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Clinical Consultant, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Center for Global Oncology, Houston, TX, 7/2008-present
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