Dr. Thompson left the boards after media investigations into the cancer center’s ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
“I have taken feedback from our staff and faculty seriously and intend to lead by example,” Dr. Thompson said in a statement. “I believe this is the right decision for Memorial Sloan Kettering and will allow me to redouble my focus on MSK priorities: quality patient care, faculty, scientists and staff.”
ProPublica and The New York Times began publishing stories in September on the relationships between Memorial Sloan Kettering leaders and for-profit healthcare companies. Since then, the cancer center’s CMO has resigned and its vice president of technology development agreed to turn over to the hospital the nearly $1.4 million stake in a biotech company he received for representing the hospital on its board.
Memorial Sloan Kettering officials told The New York Times a task force formed in the wake of the crisis over conflicts of interest is exploring ways to update policies regarding the hospital’s ties to outside industries.
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