Stephen Xavier Skapek, MD $$

Stephen Skapek, M.D., is the medical director of the Gill Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Health℠ and professor and chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

“I serve as an attending physician, caring for children who have cancer or blood disease admitted to the Children’s Health Dallas and Children’s Health Plano hospitals,” Dr. Skapek explained. “I also devote a substantial amount of time leading a laboratory research program at UT Southwestern; my laboratory research is focused on understanding the drivers of childhood cancer and trying to turn that understanding into better treatments for children with cancer. Finally, as the chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology and medical director of the Gill Center at Children’s, I oversee all aspects of our clinical practice as well as our educational and research programs in childhood cancer and blood disease. Though it seems, at times, to be a big job, my main priority is to be certain that we are providing the very best care to the children we serve.”

Though it seems, at times, to be a big job, my main priority is to be certain that we are providing the very best care to the children we serve.

After earning his medical degree from Duke University in Durham, N.C., Dr. Skapek completed his pediatrics residency at Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and fellowship training in pediatric hematology/oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, both of which are teaching affiliates of Harvard Medical School.

Research appealed to Dr. Skapek because of his interest in disease biology and the potential to develop new and better cancer treatments. “In medical school, I had to decide between medical oncology, surgical oncology and pediatric oncology,” he said. “I felt that caring for children with cancer and blood disease brought the potential to have the greatest impact in the lives of the patients under my care.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Skapek has mentored many young clinicians and researchers. “I believe that helping to educate the next generation of doctors who care for children with cancer and blood disease is an important part in the role that I play in this field,” he said.

In addition to his work at Children’s Health and UT Southwestern, Dr. Skapek serves on the Executive Committee and the Scientific Council of the Children’s Oncology Group, the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research. He is also a member of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas’ advisory committee on childhood cancer, and he holds the Distinguished Chair in Pediatric Oncology Research at UT Southwestern.