John Deeken, MD named President, Inova Schar Cancer Institute

FALLS CHURCH, VA– Inova, Northern Virginia’s largest non-profit healthcare provider, announces that John Deeken, MD, has been named President of Inova Schar Cancer Institute. He will also serve as Medical Director for the Inova Schar Head and Neck Cancer Program. The appointment coincides with the dedication of the Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s new flagship location which is a department of Inova Fairfax Hospital.

Dr. Deeken joined Inova in 2013 and has more than 18 years of clinical experience in internal medicine and medical oncology.  His laboratory research is focused on understanding the growing epidemic of Head and Neck cancer caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This includes understanding the tumor mutations that are induced by HPV infection and how those tumors can be better treated with targeted therapies. He believes that gaining a better understanding of genomic factors may explain who might be at risk for developing HPV-caused Head and Neck cancer.

“I am pleased to announce John’s appointment today, as we dedicate the Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s flagship facility,” says J. Stephen Jones, MD, Inova President and CEO.  “His personal dedication to this project, from concept to today, has been focused on our patients and their families. I am confident with John as our leader we have the best team in place to provide world-class cancer care to every person we have the privilege to serve.”

Dr. Deeken served on the national Head and Neck Cancer Scientific Committee for the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and currently serves on ASCO’s Government Relations Committee. Prior to joining Inova, he was Director of the Head and Neck Medical Oncology Program at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University and Regional Director for Medical Oncology for Medstar Health.

He currently serves as Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Deeken received his Doctor of Medicine from Georgetown University, where he also did his residency in Internal Medicine.  He did his fellowship training in Medical Oncology at the National Cancer Institute. 

Media Contact: Kelly Schlageter, Kelly.schlageter@inova.org, 571-241-6342

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About Inova:

Inova is Northern Virginia’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider, employing more than 18,000 team members and serving more than 2 million individuals annually through an integrated network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, outpatient services and destination institutes such as the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute, Inova Schar Cancer Institute and Inova Neuroscience and Spine Institute. Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare – every time, every touch – to each person in every community we have the privilege to serve. Founded in 1956 as the Fairfax Hospital Association, Inova has grown with its surrounding community and the region to provide a full spectrum of health services, including Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Its hospitals have a total of 1,800 licensed beds.

Four of Inova’s five hospitals have received five-star rankings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; they are the only hospitals in the Washington, DC region to have earned the highest rating from the federal agency. To achieve its mission of providing world-class healthcare to a diverse community, Inova is home to prominent clinicians and scientists who drive innovation to improve patient care, prevent disease and promote wellness. More information and statistics about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.