The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today announced that Tong Joo (TJ) Gan, M.D., has been named Division Head of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine. The internationally respected anesthesiologist and leader will join MD Anderson's faculty on Sept. 1.
Gan will lead a division composed of 117 faculty members whose clinical practice and research activities include pediatric and adult anesthesia inside and outside of the operating room environment; care of the critically ill cancer patient; optimization of patients' pre-operative and peri-operative medical status; and management of acute and chronic cancer-related pain as well as the attendant effects on function and quality of life. The division also includes more than 260 support staff consisting of certified registered nurse anesthetists, advanced practice providers, and technical and administrative staff.
"TJ is a world-renowned researcher and is known for his leadership accomplishments," said Peter WT Pisters, M.D., president of MD Anderson. "We are excited to bring his talents to MD Anderson, where his experience and knowledge will benefit all who have the opportunity to work and learn alongside him."
Gan has published over 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts focused on enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) and perioperative outcomes, investigating topics related to postoperative nausea and vomiting, pain, fluid and hemodynamic management, and anesthetic pharmacology. He is internationally known for his clinical research in perioperative outcomes and anesthetic pharmacology. He is also the primary author of the four international consensus guidelines on the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting, including the one published in 2020.
Gan earned his medical degree from The London Hospital Medical College, University of London while also earning a Master of Health Sciences degree from Duke University. He completed his anesthesiology training at The University College Hospital in London, England, as well as specialty training in Intensive Care at The Middlesex Hospital in London. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
His first faculty appointment was at Duke University, where he rose through the academic ranks. Gan served as Vice-Chair of Clinical Research and Faculty Development for Duke University Medical Center. In addition, he was faculty at Duke Clinical Research Institute and a Senior Research Fellow at the Duke Center for Integrative Medicine.
In 2014, Gan moved to Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University as Chair and Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. In that role, he led a large team of faculty, residents and nurses, and supervised Long Island's largest anesthesiology training program. He also established a formal faculty mentoring program, a wellness program and a gender and under-represented minorities (URM) committee that helped to increase these populations among faculty and staff.
"It is a privilege and honor to join one of the world's most highly regarded and respected cancer centers," said Gan. "I look forward to working closely with the extremely talented and dedicated faculty and staff at MD Anderson to better serve our patients and community. Together, we will strive to achieve our mission of Making Cancer History."
Gan is a fellow of both the Royal College of Anaesthetists of England and the Faculty of Anaesthetists of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. He is the Founding President of the American Society for Enhanced Recovery (ASER), President of the Perioperative Quality Initiative (POQI), President Elect of the Association of Academic Anesthesiology Chairs (AAAC), a Past President of the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia (SAMBA) and the International Society for Anesthetic Pharmacology (ISAP).
"We look forward to welcoming TJ into this important leadership role at MD Anderson," said Welela Tereffe, M.D., Chief Medical Executive of MD Anderson. "We are confident he will work closely with his faculty and staff to build upon their foundation of excellence, and with leaders across our organization to further advance our impact on more patients' lives."
