News & Stories

We are happy to announce the selection of Robert A. Somer M.D. as Head of the Division of Hematology/Oncology within the M.D Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper and the Department of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. After a national search, and with significant involvement from our MD Anderson colleagues, Dr. Somer has been selected to guide the growing Division (soon to be 19 physicians) in this period of rapid expansion. Having been a member of the Division for the last 12 years, Dr. Somer has proven that he has the research, clinical and leadership qualifications required for this challenging role and is well prepared for this new challenge.

Dr. Somer completed his undergraduate education at New York University with a degree in biology. He received his medical degree from SUNY at Stony Brook School of Medicine and this was followed by a residency in Internal Medicine at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center. He is currently an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine of the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and has had multiple leadership roles in both the cancer program and CMSRU. He has served as Director of the Genitourinary Malignancy Program, Associate Division Head for Clinical Affairs, Clinical Director of the Clinical Trials Program for the Cancer Center and Associate Director of the Janet Knowles Breast Cancer Program. At CMSRU he has served as both Vice Chair and Chair of the Admissions Committee. He has received recognition as “TOP DOC” from South Jersey Magazine and has received the Clinical Trial Participation Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the Silver Certificate of Excellence from the National Cancer Institute. While at Cooper, he has had significant teaching responsibilities and has been heavily involved in community and CME related activities.

In this new role, Dr. Somer will serve on the Leadership Group of the Cancer Center along with other key members of the program, will guide the clinical activity of the division, support the academic and educational initiatives of the Department of Medicine, and work with other members of the division and Cancer Center to further integrate our programs into the M.D Anderson care model.

We have known from the inception of the MD Anderson relationship that the roles of Cancer Center Director and Division Head of Hematology Oncology are more than can be handled by one person and require two committed individuals. I am happy to have led the Division of Hematology Oncology for the last 10 years but now look forward to focusing solely on the Cancer Center. The transition will be a seamless one as both Dr. Somer and I work together to ensure that the needs of the Cancer Center and the Division are fully addressed. In this period of unparalleled growth, we have much to accomplish.

Many Thanks,

Generosa Grana, MD, FACP
Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Professor of Medicine, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Adjunct Professor, Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

R. Phillip Dellinger, MD, MCCM
Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Medical Director, Adult Health Institute
Senior Attending, Critical Care Medicine
Cooper University Health Care

Christine Winn, FACHE
Senior Vice President, MD Anderson Cancer Center Institute
Cooper University Health Care Physician Alignment