Dr Charles De Groot is the new Midland Cancer Network clinical director.
Dr De Groot joined the Regional Cancer Centre in Hamilton five years ago as a radiation oncologist. Before that he
worked as a consultant in charge of lymphoma and melanoma units at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
Midland Cancer Network manager Jan Hewitt announced the appointment today saying he would start on Monday June 16.
Dr De Groot was instrumental in initiating and leading the lymphoma multidisciplinary group, as well as development of
local treatment protocols for common lymphomas. He also participates in the lung, head, and neck multi disciplinary team
meetings and is the clinician charged with initiating intensity modulated radiation treatment in Hamilton. By June, the
expectation is the first patient treatment should be complete. He participates in numerous clinical trials and is local
investigator for a head and neck skin cancer study as well as co-investigator on a selenium lung cancer study.
Dr De Groot's vision as a cancer specialist is to reduce the number of people who might die from this disease and to
reduce the inequalities, physical and psychological suffering brought about by cancer as well as its treatment. The
regional clinical director role allows an opportunity to influence the implementation of the cancer control strategy
ultimately to improve our patient's journey through the cancer continuum, from prevention to palliative care to enhance
the well-being of our patients, as well as those who care for them.
ends