James E Goodnight Jr. MD Lectureship, Surgical Oncology

James E Goodnight Jr, is an UC Davis emeritus faculty member who joined the Department of Surgery in 1980.  He is well recognized as a skilled leader and compassionate, dedicated clinician and researcher.  As a surgical oncologist, he was the founding director of the UC Davis Cancer Center, Chair of the Department of Surgery for 12 years (1996-2008) and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs for 8 years.  During his tenure as the Chair of Surgery, the department faculty dramatically increased in size, depth, and academic impact.  As Associate Dean, he was responsible for designing the structure, rules, responsibilities, funding needs and physician medical practice goals for UC Davis. As a surgeon, Dr Goodnight specialized in treating malignant melanoma, breast cancer, pelvic tumors, and bone and soft tissue cancers.  He is nationally recognized for the use and refinement of limb sparing procedures for treating sarcoma.  As a researcher, Dr Goodnight’s focused on early cancer detection, advancing minimally invasive surgical procedures, improving cancer patient survival and reducing disparities in cancer treatment.  As a peer, Dr Goodnight was well known for always having a “BHAG – a big, hairy, audacious goal.” 
Each year, the James E Goodnight Jr. lectureship welcomes distinguished and nationally recognized surgeon scientists in the field of oncology.