Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, Named Regional Medical Director for the Research Clinical Institute, Providence Southern California
By Rex Hoffman, MD, Chief Medical Officer, SoCal Clinical Institutes and Chief Medical Officer, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center
April 1, 2021 – I am pleased to announce that Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, has been named regional medical director of Southern California’s Research Clinical Institute. Dr. Kesari will assume his new role today April 1, and will report to Brad Bott, regional executive director, Cancer and Research Clinical Institute, Providence Southern California.
In his new role, Dr. Kesari will provide oversight and lead strategic planning for the Research Clinical Institute. He will be responsible for the implementation of a physician alignment and growth strategy across Southern California for research services, including medical foundations, medical groups, independent physician associations, and independent practices. He also will be responsible for expanding access to clinical trials across the region to improve health outcomes, while enhancing trial awareness and clinical integration. Dr. Kesari will ensure the continued development of the scientific and technical vision for the Research Clinical Institute.
Dr. Kesari is a board-certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist and is currently chair and professor, Department of Translational Neurosciences, Saint John’s Cancer Institute. He is also director of Neuro-oncology at Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Providence Saint John’s Health Center and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance and leads the Pacific Neuroscience Research Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute.
Ranked among the top 1% of neuro-oncologists and neurologists in the nation, according to Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., Dr. Kesari is an internationally recognized scientist and clinician. He is on the advisory board of American Brain Tumor Association, San Diego Brain Tumor Foundation, End Brain Cancer, xCures, CureScience, Cancer Support Community Los Angeles, Voices Against Brain Cancer, and Philippine Brain Tumor Alliance. In addition, he has authored more than 300 scientific publications, reviews and books. He is a sought-out advisor for many biotechnology and pharmaceutical start-ups in cancer and neurosciences.
Dr. Kesari has received numerous awards and recognitions during his esteemed career. Most recently, he was a nominee for Providence Saint John’s Health Center’s Values in Action award and finalist for Healthcare Executive of the Year for the Pacific Neuroscience Institute of the Los Angeles Business Journal. In 2019 he received the Duke Special Service Award from the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary and received a special recognition from Senator Kamala Harris by the American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.
Dr. Kesari graduated from University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts and Sciences in 1992 and earned a PhD degree in molecular biology and a MD from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. He completed his residency in neurology at the Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and his neuro-oncology fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He was previously assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women’s Hospital and then professor of neurosciences at UC San Diego. He is a member of the Society of Neuro-Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Indian Society of Neuro-Oncology, American Neurological Association, and American Academy of Neurology and a grant reviewer for NIH, Singapore Ministry of Health, French National Cancer Institute and many others.
Dr. Kesari lives in Southern California with his wife and three children and is immensely gratified to be part of this vibrant community and enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
Dr. Kesari will be a valuable advocate for our continuing movement towards Healthcare 2.0. Equally important is his personal commitment to the Providence core values of compassion, dignity, justice, excellence and integrity. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to the newest addition to Providence Southern California’s Clinical Institutes.
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Last updated: April 19th, 2021