Physician Medical Director of Neuro-Oncology – Saint Luke’s – Kansas City, MO

Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute and Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute seek a Medical Director of Neuro-Oncology to lead and expand the neuro-oncology clinical program and clinical research portfolio. The director will provide clinical leadership, oversee existing brain tumor clinical trials, and develop new investigator-initiated studies and industry collaborations to broaden therapeutic options for patients. The director will collaborate with multidisciplinary neuroscience teams, including two designated oncologic neurosurgeons, dedicated neuro–radiology, neuro-pathology and a neuro-oncologist joining in July 2026. This is an academic clinical appointment commensurate with experience.

Vision for Neuro-Oncology at Saint Luke’s
Saint Luke’s is committed to developing a premier neuro-oncology program that delivers exceptional patient-centered care while advancing the science and practice of neuro-oncology. The goal is to become the leading neuro-oncology program in the region, with a clear trajectory toward national recognition for clinical excellence, innovation, and leadership in neuro-oncology clinical research.

A central pillar of the neuro-oncology strategy is the expansion and diversification of the clinical trials portfolio. The Institute seeks to become a regional hub for brain tumor clinical trials, ensuring that patients across the region have access to advanced therapies locally.

With strong leadership, the neuro-oncology program will develop a trial-focused culture in which clinical research is integrated into routine care and trial availability becomes a defining feature of the patient experience.

The Institute maintains a robust academic mission, fostering mentorship, faculty development, and training for future leaders in neuro-oncology. With established neurosurgical oncology expertise and planned expansion of neuro-oncology faculty, the program is positioned for thoughtful growth while maintaining excellence.

The Director of Neuro-Oncology will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing this vision, serving as a clinical leader, program builder, and advocate for innovation on behalf of patients and the institution.

Ultimately, Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute in partnership with the Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute aims to be recognized nationally as a center known for:

• High-quality, compassionate neuro-oncology care
• Strong clinical trial enrollment and innovation
• Multidisciplinary excellence
• Leadership in programmatic growth and outcomes

Position Highlights / Why Saint Luke's

• Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute is known throughout the region as a destination for high quality, personalized cancer care with multidisciplinary support from nationally recognized physician leaders.
• The Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute is the region’s dedicated neuroscience center with strong multidisciplinary resources and active clinical research infrastructure.
• The Institute features two designated neurosurgical oncologists/skull base surgeons and will welcome a junior neuro-oncologist in July 2026, providing immediate opportunities for collaboration and development of robust multidisciplinary clinics.
• Active clinical trials are currently underway. The incoming director is expected to accelerate patient accrual and expand available offerings.
• Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Academic appointment and rank at our affiliated medical school (UMKC) will be commensurate with the candidate’s credentials and scholarly record.

• Provide clinical care for adult brain tumor patients in inpatient and outpatient settings; maintain high standards of patient-centered care and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Provide strategic leadership for neuro-oncology programmatic development, quality improvement, strategic planning, and cross-department collaboration
• Assume primary oversight of the active neuro-oncology clinical trials: ensure regulatory compliance, participant safety, data integrity, and timely accrual.
• Expand the clinical trial portfolio by pursuing investigator-initiated trials, fostering relationships with industry sponsors, and collaborating with institutional research offices and cancer research networks. Dedicated research coordinators and grant-writing support are available.
• Mentor and supervise neuro-oncology faculty, advanced practice providers, and research staff, and support education and training activities.
• Participate in weekly tumor board, multidisciplinary clinics, and community/outreach efforts to raise the program’s profile and referral base.

Required Qualifications: 

• MD, DO, or equivalent degree (or MD/PhD) with board certification (or eligibility) in Neurology, Medical Oncology, or related specialty and fellowship training in Neuro-Oncology.
• Active medical license in Missouri (or eligibility to obtain).
• Several years (typical: 3+ years) of post-fellowship clinical experience in neuro-oncology with demonstrated clinical trial involvement and experience managing or serving as PI on clinical studies. We are seeking a candidate with demonstrable experience initiating, or leading clinical trials and with a track record of patient accrual and site/study leadership.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills with a collaborative approach to multidisciplinary care.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience growing or directing an academic neuro-oncology program or leading a clinical trials portfolio.
• Prior experience with investigator-initiated studies, cooperative group trials (e.g., NCI/Alliance/NCTN), and industry-sponsored protocols.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications and participation in academic teaching/mentorship.

Saint Luke’s serves the West Region of BJC Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States. Through its 10 hospitals and campuses, multiple health service organizations, and more than 100 primary and specialty care offices, Saint Luke’s provides the highest levels of quality and compassionate health care and health-related services for patients in urban, suburban, and rural communities in 65 specialty services across 67 counties in Missouri and Kansas. Saint Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City is nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report and is one of the elite hospitals in the region. Saint Luke’s is committed to the highest levels of excellence in health care and the advancement of medical research and education. BJC Health is one of the largest employers in Missouri and comprises 24 hospitals and hundreds of clinics and service organizations, operating in two distinct regions, serving patients in its East Region as BJC HealthCare.

Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute (SLCI) is an integrated, multidisciplinary institute providing subspecialty-based cancer care focused on research, quality, innovation and patient experience. The institute is a Commission on Cancer approved site and was recently ranked the #2 cancer center in the state of Missouri by Newsweek. Our dedicated team of medical, surgical, radiation and gyn-oncologists are supported by a robust supportive services team and a research program that includes over 200 active clinical trials. The institute is nationally recognized in the care of metastatic breast cancer and a regional leader in precision oncology and genomics. SLCI has a joint medical oncology fellowship program with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

Saint Luke's is proud to call Kansas City home. With locations on both sides of the state line, the health system serves more than 2.1 million people and 240 neighborhoods in Kansas and Missouri. USA Today has regularly named Kansas City a top area for affordability, high-quality schools, and low traffic. The greater Kansas City metro area is a vibrant, growing community known for its thriving arts scene, world champion sports teams, natural beauty, and exceptional quality of life.