Overview

Board-certified in oncology and internal medicine, Walter Urba, M.D., Ph.D., earned his doctorate from the University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, and received his medical degree from the University of Miami. He was a post-doctoral fellow with the laboratory of professor William H. Hildemann. Dr. Urba's residency was completed at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Affiliate ? Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. He was also a clinical staff fellow in medical oncology at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. As the director of cancer research for the Robert W. Franz Cancer Research Center in the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute at Providence Cancer Center, Dr. Urba credits his mom, a 27-year breast cancer survivor, as the reason he went into cancer research. So when Providence set out to build the cancer center on the campus of Providence Portland Medical Center, Dr. Urba became involved in planning every detail. "I knew it had to pass the mom test," he says. "Would I want my mom to be cared for here? Would she have access to the newest treatment discoveries? Would she be treated with kindness and respect through every step of her care? The Providence Cancer Center passes the test. My mom finds that comforting. And so do I." Dr. Urba's strong commitment to research is evidenced in his activities. He's an affiliate investigator in the division of clinical research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He serves on several committees, including the melanoma, immunomolecular and genitourinary committees with Southwest Oncology Group, and the cellular, tissue and gene therapies advisory committee with the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Urba is also on the editorial board for the Journal of Immunotherapy. Find a full list of Dr. Urba's professional publications.

Gender: Male

Years in Practice: 41 Years

Languages Spoken: English