Tanyanika Phillips | Care Delivery in Thoracic Oncology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips | Care Delivery in Thoracic Oncology | Best Researcher Award

City of Hope National Med Center | United States

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips is an accomplished physician and academic leader specializing in thoracic and geriatric oncology. Currently serving as Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Oncology and Therapeutics Research at City of Hope National Medical Center, she integrates patient care, research, and community health advocacy. Her professional journey reflects a steadfast dedication to improving cancer care across diverse populations, with a special focus on equity in access and outcomes. Throughout her career, she has held pivotal roles as a clinician, researcher, and administrator, contributing to health system development, rural oncology programs, and national initiatives in cancer equity. Known for her commitment to advancing inclusive research, Dr. Phillips has been instrumental in developing geriatric oncology services and clinical trials that address the needs of aging populations. Her career is distinguished by numerous leadership positions, prestigious awards, and recognition for her community-focused work in eliminating health disparities.

Profile

Scopus

Education

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips’ educational foundation reflects a balance of clinical excellence and population health. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, followed by her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Her interest in public health and health outcomes led her to pursue a Master of Public Health at Vanderbilt University, specializing in population-based studies and non-experimental design. She furthered her training through an internal medicine residency at Ochsner Clinic Foundation, a geriatric fellowship at Vanderbilt, and a prestigious medical oncology fellowship at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University. She also completed K12 Research training at Vanderbilt, emphasizing outcomes-based cancer research. Her executive education at Harvard School of Public Health and Case Western Reserve University enhanced her expertise in leadership, project management, and measurement design. This multidisciplinary academic preparation laid the groundwork for her career in oncology research, clinical innovation, and health equity.

Experience

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips has built a dynamic career across academic medicine, community oncology, and health equity leadership. She began as Assistant Professor at Case Western University, where she also directed the Health Equity Initiative in Cancer. Her dedication to accessible oncology care expanded during her tenure as a staff physician at St. John Medical Center and CHRISTUS Health, where she also served as Medical Director for Rural and Community Health. At Antelope Valley Hospital, she led the cancer program as Medical Director before joining City of Hope, where she has since shaped geriatric oncology programs, served as Site Research Champion, and directed community-focused cancer initiatives. In her current role, she balances clinical care and research, directing City of Hope’s Antelope Valley Cancer Program while advancing clinical trials in aging and thoracic oncology. Her leadership positions include Deputy Director of the Center for Cancer and Aging and Enterprise Champion for Advancing Inclusive Research.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips’ career is marked by consistent recognition for excellence in medicine, leadership, and community service. Early in her journey, she received the Community of Caring Award from Ochsner Medical Foundation and the Futures Scholar distinction from the American Medical Directors Association. Her research potential was recognized with the American Society of Clinical Oncology Young Investigator Award. She has also been honored with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for her leadership in Ohio. Her dedication to minority health and community empowerment was acknowledged through multiple awards, including the Unsung Hero Award from the North Coast Nurses Coalition and the Minority Faculty Development Award at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. At St. John Medical Center, she received Values in Action Awards for Human Dignity, Wisdom, and Presence. More recently, her contributions at City of Hope earned her the Values in Action Award for Collaboration and the 2025 Hope Colleague Award.

Research Focus

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips’ research interests are centered on thoracic oncology, geriatric oncology, and advancing equity in cancer care. She is particularly committed to designing and implementing clinical trials that address the unique needs of aging patients with cancer. Her work integrates population-based research methods, health outcomes assessment, and translational oncology to bridge gaps between laboratory advances and real-world applications. As a site research champion and program lead for geriatric oncology at City of Hope, she has facilitated community-based clinical trials aimed at improving access and participation among underrepresented populations. She is also deeply engaged in health equity research, focusing on reducing disparities in cancer outcomes through inclusive trial design and community navigation programs. Her leadership in advancing inclusive research has established her as a key figure in initiatives that integrate cancer biology, geriatrics, and population health, ensuring that scientific discoveries translate into equitable patient care.

 

Publications

 

Title: Clin-STAR Corner: Practice Changing Advances at the Interface of Oncology and Geriatrics
Year: 2025

Title: Smoking prevalence and association with sociodemographic variables in cancer clinical trial participants
Year: 2025

Conclusion

Dr. Tanyanika Phillips stands as a distinguished oncologist, educator, and leader whose career reflects an enduring commitment to patient-centered care, health equity, and translational research, integrating clinical excellence with a vision for advancing inclusive and community-driven oncology practice.

Chiaman Chou | Surgery | Women Researcher Award

Prof. Chiaman Chou | Surgery | Women Researcher Award

Taichung Veterans General Hospital | Taiwan

Professor Chia-Man Chou is a distinguished pediatric surgeon and Chief of the Department of Surgery at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, where she has established herself as a leader in pediatric surgical innovation and clinical excellence. She also serves as Professor at National Chung Hsing University, contributing extensively to academic teaching, mentoring, and collaborative research. Her expertise encompasses pediatric minimally invasive surgery, pediatric urology, and correction of congenital anomalies, integrating advanced laparoscopic and thoracoscopic methods into clinical practice. In addition to her clinical achievements, she has spearheaded pioneering research in biomaterials surface modification, artificial intelligence in diagnostics, and genetic analysis of congenital and oncologic diseases. Her scholarly contributions include more than one hundred publications in internationally indexed journals, significantly influencing pediatric surgery and translational medicine. Dedicated to patient-centered care and innovation, Professor Chou exemplifies the integration of medical practice, scientific research, and leadership, making her a prominent figure in pediatric surgical advancement

Profile

Scopus

Education

Professor Chia-Man Chou pursued her medical training with a strong commitment to pediatric care and surgical excellence, laying the foundation for her career as a pioneering surgeon and academic leader. She completed her medical degree followed by specialization in pediatric surgery, equipping her with comprehensive clinical knowledge and practical skills to address complex congenital and acquired conditions in children. To enhance her expertise and pursue academic growth, she obtained a doctoral degree, integrating advanced research methodologies with clinical applications. Her education bridged the medical sciences and biomedical engineering domains, enabling her to explore innovations in biomaterials, nanotechnology, and minimally invasive surgical approaches. This unique combination of clinical training and scientific research prepared her to address pressing challenges in pediatric healthcare with a translational perspective. Her academic journey reflects her dedication to lifelong learning, professional development, and the pursuit of excellence in both clinical practice and multidisciplinary research

Experience

Professor Chia-Man Chou has extensive clinical, academic, and research experience as a pediatric surgeon and surgical leader. As Chief of the Department of Surgery at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, she oversees clinical services, surgical training, and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring patient-centered care and advancing surgical standards. Her professional journey includes more than two decades of hands-on expertise in pediatric minimally invasive surgery, pediatric urology, and thoracoscopic techniques, earning her recognition as an authority in her field. She has directed and participated in over eighty multidisciplinary research projects, ranging from clinical trials to translational studies in biomaterials and AI-driven diagnostics. In her academic role as Professor at National Chung Hsing University, she mentors medical students and junior researchers, fostering the next generation of surgical innovators. Her leadership extends to national and international collaborations, where she actively contributes to advancing pediatric healthcare, surgical innovation, and evidence-based clinical practice.

Awards and Honors

Professor Chia-Man Chou has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors that celebrate her contributions to pediatric surgery, medical innovation, and academic excellence. She has received national awards for surgical innovation, quality improvement, and outstanding medical service, underscoring her dedication to advancing pediatric care. Her achievements in pioneering minimally invasive pediatric procedures and integrating translational research into clinical practice have been acknowledged by professional associations and healthcare institutions. She has also been honored for her excellence in teaching and mentoring, reflecting her role in shaping future generations of surgeons and researchers. Her active participation in academic societies and leadership in multidisciplinary collaborations have further earned her recognition as a distinguished contributor to surgical science. These honors highlight her impact as both a clinician and researcher, reinforcing her position as a leader in pediatric surgery and a role model for innovation, compassion, and professional excellence.

Research Focus

Professor Chia-Man Chou’s research focus integrates pediatric surgery, translational medicine, and biomedical engineering to improve clinical outcomes for children with complex medical conditions. Her work emphasizes the advancement of pediatric minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches, to enhance safety, precision, and recovery. She is actively engaged in pediatric urology and gastrointestinal surgery, addressing rare and congenital disorders through innovative treatment strategies. At the translational level, she applies molecular biology, polygenic risk assessment, and artificial intelligence to disease prediction and personalized care models, exemplified by projects on early biliary atresia detection and spina bifida management. She also explores surface engineering, nanotechnology, and biomaterials for medical devices and diagnostic tools, bridging clinical medicine with biomedical science. Through nationwide cohort studies, multicenter trials, and interdisciplinary collaborations, her research continues to set benchmarks in personalized pediatric healthcare, surgical innovation, and integration of novel technologies into routine practice.

 

Publications

Title:Fabrication of ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 Microspheres on Carbon Cloth for Photocatalytic Decomposition of Tetracycline
Year:2024
Citation:4

Title: Investigating the Association of Polygenic Risk Scores With Thyroid Cancer Susceptibility in a Han Chinese Population
Year:2024
Citation:1

Conclusion

Professor Chia-Man Chou is a pioneering pediatric surgeon, academic leader, and innovative researcher whose dedication to minimally invasive surgery, translational medicine, and biomedical engineering has transformed pediatric healthcare, advanced medical technology, and inspired future generations of surgeons through her exemplary blend of clinical excellence, scientific innovation, and compassionate patient care.