Dr. Stefan Grant brings three decades of clinical trial leadership and lung cancer expertise to Karmanos

DETROIT, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute welcomes Stefan C. Grant, MBBCh, M.D., JD, MBA, FACP, medical oncologist, to serve as the associate center director and medical director of the Karmanos Cancer Network, vice chair of clinical operations, co-leader of the Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), and member of the Phase I Clinical Trials MDT. He brings decades of experience in the operations of comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where he also held leadership roles and played an integral part in ensuring renewal of this distinction. Dr. Grant began his role at Karmanos in September.

"It is due to Karmanos' commitment to advancing cancer research, expanding access and opportunity to clinical trials throughout the Network, and delivering the highest-quality, patient-centered care, that I have decided to dedicate the next chapter of my career at this institution," said Dr. Grant. "I am looking to continue my research in Detroit, expanding clinical trial access and helping my new patients find successful treatment options, whether that's standard of care or a new approach to treating their disease."

The associate center director of the Karmanos Cancer Network is a new position at the Institute, where Dr. Grant also serves as the medical director of the Network. He works closely with the associate center director for Clinical Science, Anthony Shields, M.D., Ph.D., and McLaren Health Care to oversee oncology operations and the oncology service line at Karmanos' 13 additional locations in Michigan outside of metro Detroit. He is responsible for working with oncology teams to increase access to clinical trials for patients in those areas, bringing treatment options closer to where they live, work and play daily. Also, as the associate center director, Dr. Grant will serve on multiple committees at Karmanos, assist with recruiting key faculty, and work collaboratively with the associate center directors for Basic Sciences, Population Sciences, Translational Research, Community Outreach and Engagement, Education, and Research Administration to ensure strategic goals and research priorities are met.

As the new medical director of the Karmanos Cancer Network, Dr. Grant further provides leadership and oversight of medical oncology services throughout McLaren, supports clinical program development, quality, compliance, and medical informatics initiatives. He serves alongside Brian Gamble, president of the Cancer Network, Doris Ranski-Zazula, RN, MSA, vice president of the Cancer Network, and multiple clinical leaders throughout McLaren to ensure consistent, high-quality oncology care.

"Creating the position of associate center director and medical director will help ensure that our Network locations have these additional high-quality, compliant and high-impact clinical trials available to their patients, without the need to travel to Detroit in order to participate," explained Boris Pasche, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, president and CEO of Karmanos. "Dr. Grant is well known and respected for his advancements and work in oncology, including his leadership at other comprehensive cancer centers designated by NCI. He understands the standard that we have upheld and will be integral in overseeing that we continue to supersede what high-quality, research-driven cancer care means."

Dr. Grant co-leads Karmanos' Thoracic Oncology MDT with David Sternberg, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon. As a thoracic medical oncologist, Dr. Grant specializes in treating lung cancer, including non-small cell and small cell lung cancer, pleural mesotheliomas, pulmonary carcinoids (lung carcinoids), and related thoracic malignancies. His research interests focus on immunologic approaches to treating lung cancer, targeted therapies and pragmatic clinical trials.

"When patients come to Karmanos, they know they are entrusting their care in the hands of oncologists who not only treat but also work to find solutions to issues with the standard of care and assist in studying new therapies. Dr. Grant is an oncologist who has already dedicated much of his career to working on those therapies," said George Yoo, M.D., FACS, chief medical officer at Karmanos Cancer Hospital. "He has a remarkable depth of experience in thoracic oncology and clinical trial studies. We're looking forward to the accomplishments he will contribute to at Karmanos."

In addition to his research, Dr. Grant has been heavily involved in many facets of cancer and medical governance. This includes being a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology panel for non-small cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, malignant pleural mesothelioma, and thymoma and thymic carcinomas; member of the Association for American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and the Clinical Research Innovation (CRI) organizing committee, and the SIP committee; and currently serving as an editorial reviewer for JAMA and JAMA Network Open.

Dr. Grant comes to Karmanos directly after serving as co-director of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC) in New Orleans. He also served as director of Tulane Cancer Center and division chief of Hematology Oncology for the Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was a tenured professor and held the Edward G. Schlieder Chair in Medical Oncology. Before that, Dr. Grant was a professor at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where he served as the associate director for Clinical and Translational Research and Intellectual Property Development and associate director for Clinical Research Operations and Intellectual Property Strategy at Wake Forest's NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Additional past appointments were held at the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham Hospital, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and the NCI-designated Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

Having trained at well-known medical centers in the U.S., Dr. Grant completed a residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, followed by a fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at the NCI-designated Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. In addition, he has worked at hospitals in Pretoria, South Africa, and London, England, and has completed internships in the departments of Surgery and Medicine at Johannesburg Hospital in South Africa. He received his medical degree at the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School in Johannesburg, a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in New York City, and a Master of Business Administration at the Collat School of Business at UAB.

Dr. Grant's professional memberships include the American Association of Cancer Research, American College of Physicians, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

Dr. Grant sees patients at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit and Karmanos Cancer Institute at the Weisberg Cancer Center in Farmington Hills. View Dr. Grant's physician profile here. To make an appointment, visit karmanos.org or call 1-800-KARMANOS.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With multiple network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit karmanos.org. Follow Karmanos on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute