City of Hope appoints Kristin Higgins, M.D., as chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta

January 23, 2024 |

3 min read

City of Hope announced the appointment of Kristin Higgins, M.D., as the chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, today announced the appointment of Kristin Higgins, M.D., as the chief clinical officer at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. She joins City of Hope from Emory Healthcare, where she served as a physician, radiation oncologist and as the medical director of radiation oncology, leader of Winship Cancer Institute’s lung program, and member of the Discovery and Developmental Therapeutics Research Program.

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Kristin Higgins, M.D., chief clinical officer, City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. (Photo: City of Hope)

Higgins will act as senior clinical leader for City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta, responsible for overall clinical care decisions and cancer care innovation. She will also serve patients as a radiation oncologist specializing in treating lung cancers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Higgins to City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. She embodies our commitment to trailblazing innovation, improving patient access and enhancing quality of life,” said Jonathan Watkins, president of City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. “I am confident that her breadth of experience in research, clinical trials and the translational treatment of cancer will empower our expansion of best-in-class cancer care in the greater Atlanta market.”

Higgins is well known for her clinical research expertise, especially concerning clinical trials that investigate novel drug and radiation combinations in lung cancer. During her time in the research program at Winship Cancer Institute, she led several investigator-initiated clinical trials for innovative lung cancer treatments, including a trial funded by the National Cancer Institute geared toward a new treatment approach for small cell lung cancer.

Board certified in radiation oncology, Higgins’ clinical focus on lung cancer treatment and research is driven by a passion for providing patients with a higher quality of life and reducing disparities for cancer patients everywhere.

“City of Hope is a national leader in expanding access to leading-edge cancer care and clinical trials, and reducing disparities in treatment,” said Higgins. “I share those same goals, and together we are bringing the best cancer programs, brilliant clinical talent, innovative technology and progressive research to the patients and families who need it in our community.”

About City of Hope

City of Hope’s mission is to deliver the cures of tomorrow to the people who need them today. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S. and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope brings a uniquely integrated model to patients spanning cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and innovation initiatives. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and treatment facilities in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope^TM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.