The FLF announces appointment of its first chief medical officer

Dr Mitchell Smith brings to the FLF over three decades of experience focused on blood cancers.

The Follicular Lymphoma Foundation (FLF) has today announced the appointment of Dr Mitchell Smith as the Foundation’s first Chief Medical Officer. Mitchell R. Smith, MD, PhD was most recently the Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Division of Haematology and Oncology, and Associate Cancer Centre Director for Clinical Investigations, at the George Washington University Cancer Centre in Washington DC.

Initially Dr Smith will lead the Precision Medicine Programme which aims to develop new and personalised treatments for Follicular Lymphoma patients.

“We are delighted to have Mitchell join the FLF at a period of significant growth and development for the charity. Our mission is to lead new and determined efforts to find treatments and cures for FL – and I’m thrilled that Mitchell will now lead on these exciting new developments. His depth and range of experience in lymphoma, which includes clinical trials, translational research and patient care and education, will be especially valuable during this pivotal time at the charity” said Lady Mendelsohn CBE, Founder of the FLF.

Dr Smith said “It is an honour to take on this role in the FLF at such an exciting and significant period in their journey. With rapid scientific advances leading to deeper understanding of lymphoma biology and to novel targeted therapeutics, this is an opportune time to focus on follicular lymphoma. I am looking forward to helping deliver the significant progress planned by the FLF, especially via the Foundation’s Precision Medicine Programme with the ultimate goal of developing new treatments and ultimately cure for FL” said Dr Smith.