Dr. Susan Blaney retires after 30 years at Texas Children’s

For three decades, Susan Blaney, MD, has dedicated her career to advancing the fight against pediatric cancer at Texas Children’s. As Service Chief of the Cancer and Hematology Center since 2018, she has been instrumental in shaping the program’s reputation for excellence and innovation, receiving numerous accolades over her storied career. She will retire at the end of January, leaving behind a legacy of remarkable contributions to patient care, research and education.

Welcoming Dr. Parsons

Succeeding Dr. Blaney, Donald Williams (Will) Parsons, MD, PhD, will serve as the Interim Director of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center. Dr. Parsons is also a professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine.

“Through her efforts, Dr. Blaney has fostered a culture of excellence and innovation, and I am honored to further strengthen our commitment to world-leading care, research and education in close collaboration with our outstanding faculty, staff and fellows,” said Dr. Parsons.

Drs. Parsons and Blaney

A career of exemplary service

Blaney started her career serving her country in the U.S. Army, where she spent 10 years treating pediatric cancer patients at military hospitals while completing her internship, residency and fellowship. Over the past 25 years, she has driven groundbreaking progress by developing new agents and therapeutic strategies for children with recurrent or refractory cancer, particularly for those with malignancies of the central nervous system. She has played a key role in the development of over 70 novel drugs and 20 new drug combinations for high-risk childhood cancers, as well as numerous clinical trials of novel anticancer agents. These trials emanated from her laboratory-based research as well as her national leadership roles as the Chair, Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Phase 1 and Pilot Consortium and Vice Chair, Children’s Oncology Group.

Dr. Blaney has played pivotal research and leadership roles in the Department of Pediatrics as well as Baylor College of Medicine. She was the inaugural Vice-Chair for Research in the Department and subsequently an Executive Vice Chair. She was also the first Vice President, Clinical and Translational Research at Baylor College of Medicine, founding co-director of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, and the first Associate Chair of Clinical Research for the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

In addition to her clinical and research accomplishments, Dr. Blaney has made a lasting impact through her dedication to education and mentorship. She has guided countless medical students, residents, fellows and faculty, co-edited leading textbooks in the field, and served as co-Principal Investigator on the nation’s only NCI-funded K12 faculty training grant focused on translational pediatric cancer and hematology research.

“As I step down from my role as Director, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the incredible journey we've had at Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center. It has been an honor to work alongside such dedicated and talented professionals who are leading the field nationally and internationally. I am confident that through Dr. Parsons’ expertise, vision and commitment to our mission, the Center will continue to thrive and achieve new heights in improving the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults battling cancer and blood disorders."

Learn more about Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center.  

Please join us in thanking Dr. Blaney for her many contributions and congratulating Dr. Parsons on his new role.