UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine Winter 2018 | Page 7

Q: How hard is it to make a transition from gynecologic
oncology to all cancers?
A: It is a challenge. Twenty years ago, it would have been
a lot easier because, unfortunately, we had less knowledge
about all these cancers and therapeutic interventions. Now
these fields are getting more complex, and the stratification
of patients with different types of cancer is greater. But it is
a good challenge, and I am excited about it. I am the kind
of person who doesn’t have a problem asking questions and
asking fo r help. The clinicians and researchers here at UAB
are really outstanding so that makes my job easier.
I do believe that through a better understanding of the
molecular underpinnings of particular cancers, we will be able
to better diagnose and treat these diseases.
Bringing His Leadership to the South
Dr. Birrer is recognized nationally and internationally as
an expert in gynecologic oncology. He has published more
than 320 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 27 book chapters
and review articles. He has served in numerous leadership
positions within the greater gynecologic oncology community,
such as chair of the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer
Research Program, chair of the Committee for Experimental
Medicine of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, and
chair of the Translational Science Working Group of the
Gynecological Cancer Intergroup, among others. In addition,
he is a member of many national organizations including
the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, American
Association of Cancer Research and Society of Gynecologic
Oncology.
Q: So what drew you here to UAB?
A: The academic excellence of UAB was very attractive
to me. Beyond its outstanding clinical academic history, it is
a size where I can get my hands around it, and steer it. It has
room to be expanded. When you look at free-standing cancer
centers like Memorial Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson,
I am not even sure they can actually make changes that help
patients in a rapid fashion. I think that can be done here at
UAB. It is the perfect size and the perfect academic quality.
My wife and I wanted to go to a sunnier, warmer place,
and our children are down here more times than not. We are
country people. And I am a big lover of grits.
Q: What do you find different here in the Deep South
than in the Northeast?
A: I think it is sort of ironic because if you go to some of
the major cancer centers in the Northeast, I think they pride
themselves on, for lack of better term, “diversity” in both
the staff and inpatient population. It is ironic because one
of the problems we had at the Dana Farber Harvard Cancer
Center is actually proving to people that we saw underserved
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