Yale School of Medicine

Dr. William K. Oh’s interest in cancer biology began as an undergraduate at Yale in 1983, where he majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, a major that was relatively new at the time. 

Fast forward nearly three decades, Oh has been appointed as the medical director of Smilow Cancer Hospital at Greenwich Hospital and director of precision medicine for Yale Cancer Center. Oh’s leadership arrives at a time when the cancer center is poised to deepen its focus on precision medicine and translational research, areas of his expertise for the last two decades. 

The idea behind the emerging fields of precision medicine and translational research is to “understand the molecular mechanisms of cancer and to develop therapies that target those genetic changes, whether they’re inherited or whether they occur during that person’s lifetime” Oh explained. 

When Oh was a student in the early ’80s, molecular biology was a brand new, burgeoning field, especially in the biology of human disease. Investing in this area, Oh embarked on a career in research-based medicine. After graduating from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Oh started working at Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where he served as clinical director of genitourinary cancers and established a new translational research program. His accomplishments there prepared him for the challenge of building a new clinical research cancer center at Mount Sinai in 2009. 

Along with being the deputy director of the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai, Oh was the chief of the division of hematology and medical oncology and oversaw the clinical research division. Under his supervision, the Tisch Cancer Institute received a National Cancer Institute designation, awarded exclusively to centers that have met high standards for cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and translational laboratory research. 

While at Mount Sinai, Oh was a member of numerous spin-off biotechnology initiatives, serving as chief medical officer of companies such as GeneDx, which aims to bring precision medicine to patients by utilizing advanced genomic testing to profile disease risks in patients. During his time, Oh helped develop an overall clinical strategy for the company by conducting studies that demonstrated better patient outcomes. 

“He’s a patient-first physician and researcher,” said GeneDx CEO Eric Schadt, a sentiment echoed by his colleagues. 

For over 15 years, Oh was nominated for and credited with numerous “Top Doctor” accolades from magazines ranging from the New York Magazine to Super Doctors. 

Dr. Eric Winer ’78 MED ’83, director of the Yale Cancer Center and previous co-lead of the National Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Steering Committee, emphasized the significance of Oh’s leadership experience in clinical trial enterprises. 

In particular, the Yale Cancer Center has “research focusing on better understanding the underlying biology of breast cancer” Winer explained. “We have at any given time, probably 25 different ongoing clinical trials.”

With his extensive expertise in both the scientific and clinical aspects of oncology, Oh is uniquely equipped to elevate Smilow Cancer Hospital’s contributions to precision medicine. 

Looking ahead, Oh envisions leveraging Yale’s innovative laboratories and partnerships with industry to drive advancements in cancer care. In particular, he seeks to return to his roots and advance efforts for early diagnosis and screening by supporting the transition of laboratory research to patient care through the Smilow Cancer Network. 

“The Yale Cancer Center can continue to be a leader in this precision medicine space,” Oh predicts.

Oh aims not only to look at the existing technologies and laboratories at Yale, but to continue his streak of partnering with industry to bring Yale’s research to the market. 

His advice to those following in his footsteps reflects this visionary spirit: “Seek out great mentors and think about what really inspires you.”

Both Oh and Winer were residents of Ezra Stiles College.