Nancy C. Andrews, MD, PhD, dean of the Duke University School of Medicine, sent the following news to school faculty today.
It is with sadness that I write to share the news that O. Michael Colvin, MD, director emeritus of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and the William W. Shingleton Professor of Cancer Research, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2013.
Dr. Colvin enjoyed a long and distinguished career in medicine. He joined Duke’s faculty in 1995 and successfully led the Cancer Center from 1995-2002, a time of significant growth and scientific achievement.
He is widely recognized for his pioneering work with anti-cancer drugs. He served as co-leader of the Cancer Center’s Experimental Therapeutics Research Program and published over 150 papers on the mechanism of action and cellular resistance to alkylating agents, preclinical and clinical pharmacology of anti-tumor agents, and the pharmacology of bone marrow and stem cell transplantation, as well as the development of new agents for the treatment of brain tumors and other malignancies. Dr. Colvin was awarded the R. Wayne Rundles, MD, Award for Excellence in Cancer Research in 2003.
In addition to his achievements in research and his accomplishments as the Cancer Center’s director, Dr. Colvin was always a compassionate advocate for all cancer patients. He and his wife Macey were honored in 2004 as the Light of Hope recipients by the Duke Cancer Patient Support Program for their support of the program and the patients it serves.
Please join me in extending our sympathy to Dr. Colvin’s family.