West Cancer Center

It began with a small, two-room clinic in downtown Memphis, Tenn.

Dr. William West was a nationally-respected oncologist and lead investigator for the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. A Harvard undergraduate degree coupled with a medical degree from the prestigious Johns Hopkins Medical School meant that Dr. West could go anywhere, do anything yet he returned to his hometown of Memphis. Hastened by the breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing of his mother, Margaret West, his mission became clear: to provide world-class cancer treatment and research capabilities in his hometown. In 1979, this goal became reality, and the doors of what would become West Clinic officially opened.

Building on the 35-year legacy of unparalleled patient care and cutting-edge treatment, West Clinic announced an innovative partnership with Methodist Healthcare and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to form West Cancer Center in 2012. This robust partnership combines the efforts of pioneering leaders in research to enhance the study and treatment of cancer, right here in Memphis. Today, West Cancer Center delivers the best comprehensive cancer care to more than 30,000 patients each year. An unmatched patient care model coupled with an innovative approach to cancer treatment has made West Cancer Center the leading comprehensive cancer center serving Memphians and the Mid-South Region.

In 2014, West Cancer Center announced the establishment of the University of Tennessee/West Institute for Cancer Research. The University of Tennessee/West Institute for Cancer Research is a not-for-profit public charity dedicated to raising funds for adult cancer research. Also located in Memphis, Tennessee, the UT/West Institute for Cancer Research solicits grants from government agencies, foundations and individuals to be utilized to broaden cutting-edge research programs, develop novel cancer treatments and therapeutics, and strengthen patient-focused care in all sectors of the community. Funds donated to The UT/West Institute are designated for research in four major areas of emphasis: Translational Drug Discovery and Development, Cancer Immunotherapy, Women’s Cancers and Community Outcomes. The generous philanthropy of donors and benefactors provides the necessary funding for West Cancer Center researchers to create and produce the most effective therapies for cancer patients, with the collective goal to defeat cancer in its entirety.

For more information, please visit westcancercenter.com.