Dr. David Poplack retires after 25 years serving as Director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center

We are celebrating the remarkable and enduring contributions of Dr. David Poplack, who retired at the end of June from Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center and Baylor College of Medicine.

For 25 years he served as the Director of the Center, and saw it grow into one the largest of its type in the country. In 2018 he transitioned into the role of Director of Global Hematology/Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE), an international health program for kids with cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.

As Director of the Cancer Center, he established world-class programs in medical education (e.g., the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program), international health (e.g., Global HOPE), survivorship care (i.e., the Passport for Care®) and patient psychosocial support.

“He is one of those rare individuals who not only has the vision, but also the drive and ability to bring people together to make that vision a reality,” said Dr. Susan Blaney.

Poplack also recently received the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award from the 50,000-member American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) – a testament to his mentorship of the next generation of medical experts.

“Recruiting David to Texas Children’s and the Cancer Center was one of the best decisions in the Hospital’s 70-year history," said Texas Children’s CEO Mark Wallace.

For more, see this article by Mark Wallace that highlights Dr. Poplack’s contributions.