After 31 years of extraordinary cancer leadership and oncology practice at Providence in Oregon, Walter J. Urba, M.D., Ph.D., will retire from Providence Cancer Institute at the end of 2024.
"Serving as the leader of Providence Cancer Institute and the director of cancer research at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute are the highlights of my career,” said Dr. Urba. “It is time for new leadership. I am ready to spend more time with family and pursue other interests. I am working closely with our team to ensure a successful leadership transition by year’s end.”
Dr. Urba is a pioneer and key figure in the development of immunotherapy as the fourth pillar of cancer treatment, which transformed the practice of oncology. While at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the 1980s, he was part of the team that standardized interleukin-2 (IL-2) dosing and was an integral part of the Cytokine Working Group. This foundational work led to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the first immunotherapy for cancer, IL-2 in renal cell carcinoma and in melanoma.
In 1993, Dr. Urba was recruited from the NCI to establish a cancer program and lead translational research at Providence in Oregon. “When I joined Providence, the field of cancer immunotherapy was in its infancy,” he said. “With the support of Providence leaders and philanthropists, we recruited scientists and physicians who shared our belief in the potential of the immune system to eradicate cancer.”
Now, immunotherapy is a mainstream cancer therapy with dozens of approved treatments and countless more on the horizon. As a principal investigator, Dr. Urba helped advance the development of biological agents, including monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, vaccines and adoptive cellular therapy. Most notably, he led the global clinical trial of ipilimumab, the first checkpoint immunotherapy approved for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma, ushering in the new era of immuno-oncology.
“Today, we recognize a transformational leader who has had a significant impact on cancer care here in Oregon, across the nation and around the world,” said Jennifer Burrows, RN, chief executive, Providence Oregon. “Thousands upon thousands of cancer patients and family members at Providence have benefited from the life-changing work of Dr. Walter Urba. During more than three decades of dedicated research and hands-on clinical practice, Dr. Urba and our cancer team have created world-class programs that have direct impacts on our patients. We are all grateful for his tireless devotion to cancer care and to Providence.”
In 2014, Dr. Urba received the Oregon History Makers Award for outstanding achievement. In 2023, he was honored by the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research with the Alvin J. Thompson Award for his contributions to advancing the field of cancer research.
“Dr. Walter Urba is a visionary who trusted in science, and who developed, led and supported early phase bench-to-bedside clinical trials that were supplemented with cutting-edge technologies to monitor the immune system,” said Bernard A. Fox, Ph.D., member, Earle A. Chiles Research Institute, and Harder Family Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, Molecular and Tumor Immunology Laboratory, a division of Providence Cancer Institute. “This approach separated Dr. Urba from all but a handful of far-sighted leaders and provided a foundation for the establishment of an internationally recognized center of excellence in cancer immunotherapy at Providence."
“Through Dr. Urba’s guidance, our team contributed to the first FDA approvals for checkpoint immunotherapy and cellular therapy for solid cancers,” said Lyn Dobrunick, MN, FNP, AOCN, executive director, Providence Cancer Institute. “Each year we care for more than 6,700 patients with new cancer diagnoses at state-of-the-art facilities and services across Oregon. Through scientific, medical and technological advancements, we are helping more patients live cancer-free.”
“Dr. Urba’s legacy is one of steadfast commitment to immunotherapy research, transformational breakthroughs in the treatment of melanoma, and intrepid leadership in building a world-class cancer center dedicated to translating next generation immunotherapies from the lab bench to the patient bedside,” said R. Bryan Bell, M.D., D.D.S., FACS, FRCS(Ed), division director of Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology and Clinical Programs for Providence Cancer Institute. “All of us who work in the field stand on his shoulders.”
As Dr. Urba notes, advancements in science and medicine are not individual achievements. “Research is a team sport,” he said. “These achievements would not have been possible without the dedication of Providence caregivers and multidisciplinary care teams, the support of our community partners and donors, and the patients who entrust us with their care.”
“I am proud to have been a leader at Providence and am deeply grateful for what we accomplished together,” said Dr. Urba. “I am also excited for what the future will bring, knowing our team is poised to reach new milestones in pursuit of our goal to #FINISHCANCER.”
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