The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) has appointed Texas radiation oncologist Vivek Kavadi, MD, as its new CEO.
Kavadi plans to leave his current role as chief radiation oncology officer for the US Oncology Network to lead ASTRO, where he has been a member and served in various roles since 1994. The position will start November 1.
For the US Oncology Network, Kavadi oversees strategy, operations, and clinical service delivery for a network of 200 physicians. From 2003 to 2020, he served as regional medical director for Texas Oncology, where he managed a 60-physician practice in the Houston region. Since 1995, Kavadi also has maintained a clinical practice as a radiation oncologist for Texas Oncology, where he specializes in breast and prostate cancers.
“The appointment of a physician from our specialty with first-hand experience of the challenges that practicing physicians face each day marks an important milestone for ASTRO," said chair of ASTRO's board of directors, Jeff Michalski, MD, in the announcement. "[Vivek's] expertise will be valuable as we navigate the legislative landscape with the recent introduction of the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Payment Program Act as well as a myriad of issues important to our 10,000 members, including physician education, guideline development, scientific advances, and industry partnerships.”
Kavadi earned his master of business administration degree from the Wharton School and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. He completed his radiation oncology training at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he was chief resident and served on the faculty.
ASTRO conducted a nationwide search for a new CEO following the retirement announcement of Laura Thevenot, who has led the organization since 2002. Kavadi currently serves as vice chair of ASTRO's Health Policy Council.
