Harvey Golomb, MD, Professor of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology) is the 2022 recipient of the Department of Medicine’s Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding work and dedication to the DOM’s tripartite mission. Dr. Golomb has lived a highly successful life as a translational scientist later as a leader of ASCO, and institutionally as section chief from 1981 to 1998 , department chair, CMO and in other important roles.
An authority on the genetic abnormalities that cause various cancers and on chemotherapy for the leukemias, lymphomas, and lung cancer, Dr. Golomb was among the first physicians in the world to perform clinical studies using interferon, the first of a series of naturally produced substances that can boost the patient’s own immune system as a weapon against cancer (HCL).
A graduate of the University of Chicago (BA, 1964) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (MD, 1968), Dr. Golomb completed his residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine–where he also did a fellowship in medical genetics. He arrived at The University of Chicago in 1973 for a two-year fellowship in hematology/oncology and joined the faculty in 1975. In 1998 he was honored as the Lowell T. Coggeshall Professorship.
In 1981 Dr. Golomb was appointed as chief of the section of hematology/oncology. During this time as chief, he created the modern Section of Hematology/Oncology that subsequent chiefs have built on. In 1998 Dr. Golomb was appointed as DOM Chair and served in this position until 2005. As chair, he is responsible for the recruitment and appointments of many of the key leaders in the DOM today and the recruitments of many of the successful/distinguished clinicians and researchers who continue to serve to this day all of whom benefitted from his leadership and mentorship
During his time as chair of the Department, Dr. Golomb oversaw the successful transition of the Department into the 21st century and his leadership promoted, developed and supported the research, clinical and educational missions for 7 years. The Department’s success during this time were a result of his hard work and extraordinary commitment. In 2005, he was appointed as Dean for Clinical Affairs for BSD, and from 2002-2011 he served as CMO for UMC, and then as senior advisor to the UCM President for two years before returning to the Section.
The author of nearly 350 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 300 scientific abstracts or other publications, Dr. Golomb has won many awards. He served from 1990 to 1991 as president of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and he is an elected member of ASCI.
Dr. Golomb’s impact on people as a mentor has been tremendously positive and continues to date. The Department is most grateful to Dr. Golomb for his dedicated service to the Department, Section, and institution for nearly 50 years.