UA Professor Elected to Institute of Medicine of the National Academies

Dr. Setsuko K. Chambers has been elected a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Election to the Institute is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

Dr. Setsuko K. Chambers, a University of Arizona College of Medicine professor, has been elected a member of the prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academies.

Chambers, a professor and vice chair of the UA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and section head of gynecologic oncology, joins a small cadre of obstetricians and gynecologists in the nation who have been similarly honored.

Election to the Institute is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. The Institute's total active membership numbers 1,610, with 93 foreign associates and 75 emeritus members.

"Election to the Institute of Medicine is a particularly outstanding achievement. It recognizes the excellence that Dr. Chambers brings to the bedside, by treating patients as a gynecologic oncologist, as well as to the laboratory bench with her important research examining how to prevent the spread, or metastasis, of women's cancers," said Dr. Steve Goldschmid, dean of the UA College of Medicine Tucson campus.

Chambers, the Bobbi Olson Endowed Chair of Ovarian Cancer, also directs the Women's Cancers at the Arizona Cancer Center.

"We were privileged to recruit Dr. Chambers from Yale in 2004, said Dr. Kathryn L. Reed, professor and head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the UA College of Medicine. "She brought to Arizona her aspirations to excellence in all facets of medical academia with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of women and their loved ones through clinical care, research, education and public service.

"We know her as a fierce advocate for her patients, her students, residents and fellows, her nurses, her mentees and her colleagues," Reed continued. "It is a privilege to work with her and to benefit so much from her tireless and effective dedication. This is truly an honor not only for Dr. Chambers but for the department of obstetrics and gynecology, the College of Medicine, the Arizona Cancer Center, the University of Arizona, the state of Arizona and the field of women's health and women's cancers."

As a gynecologic oncologist, Chambers believes in the value that her specialty brings to gynecologic cancer patients and their families. She has expertise in a broad spectrum of areas including prevention, screening, diagnosis, surgery (minimally invasive to radical cancer surgeries), chemotherapy (standard of care to innovative clinical trials of targeted therapeutics) and palliative care, all within the breadth of one specialty.

This provides the continuity essential to high-quality patient care and satisfaction. She has a large clinical practice carrying out all of these activities.

Simultaneously, Chambers stands out as one of the few gynecologic oncologists in the nation who has expertise in basic research, directing a laboratory devoted to understanding the molecular basis for ovarian and breast cancer metastasis; heading a large clinical-trials effort that translates laboratory findings into patient application; building a women's cancer (breast and gynecologic) effort by promoting retreats, seminars, funding faculty development and research; and by continuing to mentor a dedicated cadre of trainees and junior faculty, many of whom are budding leaders in their field.

The breadth of these skills along with her vision of excellence and her tireless advocacy for her programs and causes make Chambers nationally recognized as an academic leader. As an IOM member, she will continue to pursue excellence and leadership for women's health at a national level.

Other UA faculty members who are IOM members are: J. Lyle Bootman, dean of the College of Pharmacy; Dr. Peter Rosen, clinical professor, department of emergency medicine; and Dr. M. Paul Capp, professor emeritus.