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Texas Medical Center
Address
1102 Bates Ave., Ste. 1570
Houston, TX 77030
David G. Poplack, MD
Director, Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE), Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center
Associate Director, Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center
Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine
Education
School | Education | Degree | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Makerere University | Honorary Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) | 2018 | |
NIH/NCI | Fellowship | Hematology-Oncology | 1975 |
Boston Children's Hospital | Residency | Pediatrics | 1972 |
Stanford University School of Medicine | Internship | Pediatrics | 1971 |
Boston University School of Medicine | Medical School | Doctor of Medicine | 1970 |
About
Dr. David Poplack is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of pediatric oncology and served as Director of Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center for 25 years. Under his leadership, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center grew exponentially – from seven faculty members, 42 employees, 1 laboratory and less than $350,000 in annual external grant funding in 1993 to nearly 200 faculty members, 1,100 employees, 46 laboratories with >100,000 square feet of laboratory space and $50 million in annual external grant funding.
In July 2018, Dr. Poplack transitioned to serve as Associate Director of the Cancer and Hematology Center and to become Director of Global Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence (HOPE), a comprehensive capacity building program aimed at improving pediatric cancer treatment in sub-Saharan Africa. Global HOPE is building Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Centers of Excellence in 7 sub-Saharan African countries.
In addition to previously serving as the Director of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center from 1993-2018, he served as Deputy Director of Baylor College of Medicine's Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center; as Section Head, Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, BCM; and as Hematology/Oncology Service Chief, Texas Children's Hospital.
Dr. Poplack has authored more than 365 original articles and book chapters in the field of pediatric oncology and is a founding co-editor of Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology, the leading textbook in the field of pediatric oncology, which is in its eighth edition.
Dr. Poplack serves on the editorial board of numerous subspecialty journals. He is the Editor for Pediatric Oncology for Up to Date. He is also the developer of the Passport for Care®, an interactive website that addresses the need to provide long-term survivors of childhood cancer and their caregivers with screening guidelines and resources individualized to the survivor’s treatment history.
Dr. Poplack has served on many national and international committees, including panel appointments at the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Institute of Medicine and a term as an appointed member of the National Cancer Institute’s Board of Scientific Counselors. In 2016, Dr. Poplack was awarded the American Society of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Distinguished Career Award, as well as the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2018, Dr. Poplack was the inaugural Angel Award recipient, for lifetime achievement, from the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. In 2019, Dr. Poplack received the Leonard M. Rosen Memorial Research Award from the Children’s Cancer Cause in recognition and support of his life-saving work around the world. Also, in 2019, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.
In 2023, Dr. Poplack received the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Excellence in Teaching Award, a reflection of his vision, drive, and his ability to engage teams of people in collaborative initiatives to move the field of pediatric hematology/oncology forward. Dr. Poplack has been an inspirational leader in his field from its earliest days, has mentored and inspired countless pediatric hematologist/oncologists who are now leaders in the field across the globe, and has positively impacted the lives of countless children around the world.
Dr. Poplack is a graduate of Tufts University. He received his M.D. degree from Boston University School of Medicine, completed his pediatric internship at Stanford University, his residency in pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital, and his fellowship in pediatric hematology-oncology at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Poplack has been the Principal Investigator on numerous high impact grants and has raised millions of dollars for cancer and hematology research through his philanthropic activities.
Organizations
Organization Name | Role |
---|---|
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) | Fellow |
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) | Member |
American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) | Member |
American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics | Member |
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) | Member |
American Society of Hematology (ASH) | Member |
American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology (ASPHO) | Member |
Gulf Coast Hematology Society | Member |
Harris County Medical Society | Member |
Houston Pediatric Society | Member |
International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) | Member |
Society for Pediatric Research | Member |
Texas Medical Association (TMA) | Member |
Selected Publications
Awards & Honors
2023 Excellence in Teaching Award, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
2019 Leonard M. Rosen Memorial Research Award, Children’s Cancer Cause
2018 Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) Angel Award
2018 Honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.), Makerere University Kampala, Uganda
2018 Men of Distinction, Honoree
2018 The Social Book, "Houston Treasure"
2016 Distinguished Career Award, American Society of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (ASPHO)
2016 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Lifetime Achievement Award
2009 Texas Children's Hospital International Recognition Award
2005 Baylor College of Medicine Alumni Association Distinguished Faculty Award
1999 American Cancer Society, Partners in Courage Award
1999 Leukemia Society of America, Kenny Award
1989 Boston University School of Medicine Distinguished Alumni Award
1989 United States Public Health Service Unit Commendation Award
1984 United States Public Health Service Meritorious Service Medal
1980 United States Public Health Service Commendation Medal
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* Texas Children's Hospital physicians' licenses and credentials are reviewed prior to practicing at any of our facilities. Sections titled From the Doctor, Professional Organizations and Publications were provided by the physician's office and were not verified by Texas Children's Hospital.