Renuka Iyer, MD, Appointed Chief Medical Officer for NCCN on December 4, 2025
On December 4, 2025, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), a leading alliance of cancer centers dedicated to improving cancer care, announced the appointment of Renuka Iyer, MD, as its new Chief Medical Officer (CMO). With a robust background in oncology, Dr. Iyer brings her extensive experience and vision to the NCCN, which is recognized for publishing evidence-based, expert consensus-driven guidelines to enhance cancer treatment and care across the globe.
Dr. Iyer currently serves at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of NCCN's member institutions, where she holds several key positions including Professor of Oncology, Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Division, and Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs in the Department of Medicine. Her strong foundation in oncology was built during her medical training at Grant Medical College in Mumbai, before completing her residency at Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Iyer is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and abstracts reflecting her deep commitment to advancing patient care.
In a statement, Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, emphasized Dr. Iyer's proven dedication to cancer research and patient outcomes. "Renuka is the ideal candidate for this pivotal role, which directly influences cancer treatment and outcomes for patients worldwide. Her career has been marked by an unwavering pursuit of innovation and improvement in patient care. She has been significantly contributing to NCCN's mission for many years; we look forward to her future contributions to enhancing patient access to high-quality cancer care."
Dr. Iyer has been a member of the NCCN Guideline Steering Committee since 2023, playing a crucial role in overseeing the strategic direction of the NCCN Guidelines, which encompass nearly 90 guidelines for the treatment of various cancers, as well as for prevention, screening, and supportive care. Given the dynamic landscape of oncology, these guidelines are regularly updated to ensure they remain comprehensive and relevant.
Now stepping into the CMO role, Dr. Iyer will have a heightened focus on directing the NCCN Guidelines program, ensuring they reflect the latest advancements and research in oncology. This effort includes overseeing resources that utilize the NCCN Guidelines, such as the NCCN Guidelines Navigator™, an interactive tool designed to assist healthcare providers in accessing and applying the guidelines effectively.
Dr. Iyer expressed her enthusiasm about her new position: "I am honored to have been selected for this esteemed role and excited to be part of the NCCN at a time when there are so many updates and opportunities to innovate how we deliver information to assist our patients. After 21 years in academic oncology, I look forward to advancing the delivery of high-quality cancer care and contributing to our mission at NCCN."
Her official start date as CMO will be February 26, 2026. The NCCN, celebrating its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit alliance dedicated to high-quality comprehensive cancer care, continues to lead in establishing standards for cancer treatment, prevention, and patient education. Their clinical practice guidelines set the benchmark for cancer management and have become essential resources for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
The NCCN emphasizes the importance of transparency and expert consensus in developing its guidelines, which aim to ensure that all patients can access effective, evidence-based cancer care. As the CMO, Dr. Iyer's role will involve not only leading oncology care guidelines but also to enhance the NCCN's contributions to continuing education and global initiatives in oncology. For more information about the NCCN and its guidelines, please visit NCCN.org.
Dr. Iyer currently serves at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of NCCN's member institutions, where she holds several key positions including Professor of Oncology, Chief of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Division, and Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs in the Department of Medicine. Her strong foundation in oncology was built during her medical training at Grant Medical College in Mumbai, before completing her residency at Weill Cornell Medicine. Dr. Iyer is board certified in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology, and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles, chapters, and abstracts reflecting her deep commitment to advancing patient care.
In a statement, Crystal S. Denlinger, CEO of NCCN, emphasized Dr. Iyer's proven dedication to cancer research and patient outcomes. "Renuka is the ideal candidate for this pivotal role, which directly influences cancer treatment and outcomes for patients worldwide. Her career has been marked by an unwavering pursuit of innovation and improvement in patient care. She has been significantly contributing to NCCN's mission for many years; we look forward to her future contributions to enhancing patient access to high-quality cancer care."
Dr. Iyer has been a member of the NCCN Guideline Steering Committee since 2023, playing a crucial role in overseeing the strategic direction of the NCCN Guidelines, which encompass nearly 90 guidelines for the treatment of various cancers, as well as for prevention, screening, and supportive care. Given the dynamic landscape of oncology, these guidelines are regularly updated to ensure they remain comprehensive and relevant.
Now stepping into the CMO role, Dr. Iyer will have a heightened focus on directing the NCCN Guidelines program, ensuring they reflect the latest advancements and research in oncology. This effort includes overseeing resources that utilize the NCCN Guidelines, such as the NCCN Guidelines Navigator™, an interactive tool designed to assist healthcare providers in accessing and applying the guidelines effectively.
Dr. Iyer expressed her enthusiasm about her new position: "I am honored to have been selected for this esteemed role and excited to be part of the NCCN at a time when there are so many updates and opportunities to innovate how we deliver information to assist our patients. After 21 years in academic oncology, I look forward to advancing the delivery of high-quality cancer care and contributing to our mission at NCCN."
Her official start date as CMO will be February 26, 2026. The NCCN, celebrating its 30th anniversary as a nonprofit alliance dedicated to high-quality comprehensive cancer care, continues to lead in establishing standards for cancer treatment, prevention, and patient education. Their clinical practice guidelines set the benchmark for cancer management and have become essential resources for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
The NCCN emphasizes the importance of transparency and expert consensus in developing its guidelines, which aim to ensure that all patients can access effective, evidence-based cancer care. As the CMO, Dr. Iyer's role will involve not only leading oncology care guidelines but also to enhance the NCCN's contributions to continuing education and global initiatives in oncology. For more information about the NCCN and its guidelines, please visit NCCN.org.
Topics Health）
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