Dr. James McGee named President of OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute
James McGee, MD, MHCM, FACRO, has been named the president of OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute after serving as the founding director since its opening in February 2024. Additionally, he will continue to serve as vice president of Physician Services for the Oncology service line at OSF HealthCare in his new role.
Since 1988, Dr. McGee has been known for his steadfast commitment to excellence in clinical care and early detection of cancer throughout central Illinois.
"I welcome my role as president of the OSF Healthcare Cancer Institute as it further facilitates all those involved in our mission to improve health for those living in rural America, and, by our example, others around the world. The development of the Institute has been driven by the values of the OSF Ministry that provide us with renewed hope and courage to meet every challenge,” says Dr. James McGee, president of OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. “The spirit of the OSF Ministry helps us in our weakness and causes us to work together for the good. Our people have been chosen by God for this work; they prove it every day. My role is to support them as caregivers to those we serve."
In this elevated role, Dr. McGee is responsible for driving the core vision of the OSF Cancer Institute: establishing a world-leading cancer program to improve the health of patients and the communities served throughout the OSF Ministry.
“Dr. McGee brings exceptional clinical expertise, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to prevention and advancing cancer care,” said Kimberly Russo, CEO, Central Region, OSF HealthCare. “His dedication to innovation, research, and compassionate care aligns perfectly with our vision of treating the whole person and delivering world-class, patient-centered care that shapes the future of cancer.”
Under Dr. McGee’s direction, the OSF Cancer Institute significantly exceeded operational and research expectations. His leadership has been instrumental in the expansion of OSF’s advanced high-dose-rate brachytherapy program; implementation of proton therapy; and the successful recruitment of top medical oncology, radiation oncology and research talent.
Some of Dr. McGee’s recent accomplishments include collaborating with the University of Illinois Cancer Center at Urbana, the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Origin Commercial Ventures, which led to the development of the Breakthrough Treatment Center at the OSF Cancer Institute and the BEAT Cancer Research Initiative.
These efforts bring early phase cancer control and treatment to patients with an emphasis on engineering to advance cancer care.
Dr. McGee earned his Bachelor of Science from Quincy College and his medical degree from the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University in Chicago. He went on to earn a Master of Health Care Management from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston.