Yale New Haven Hospital names Lori Pickens to lead Smilow Cancer Hospital

New Haven, CT (May 9, 2018) – Today, Yale New Haven Hospital announced the appointment of Lori Pickens to the position of senior vice president and executive director of Smilow Cancer Hospital, effective August 6.

Pickens will be assuming the Smilow and Yale Cancer Center leadership responsibilities currently held by Abe Lopman, who will be retiring on October 1. Pickens is a nationally recognized cancer leader with over 18 years of leadership experience in the field. She currently serves as the associate vice president for Oncology Services at Duke University Health System, associate dean and administrator of the Duke Cancer Institute at Duke University School of Medicine and the service line executive of the Cancer Care Collaboration with Wake Medical Health System. Prior to joining Duke University Health System in 2007, she held leadership positions at the American Lung Association of Missouri and BJC Health System.

“We are thrilled that Lori has agreed to join the Yale New Haven Hospital family,” said Richard D’Aquila, president Yale New Haven Hospital. “Her wealth of experience will help us to expand our ability to provide the best cancer care for our patients throughout New England.”

Pickens received a bachelor of science in Business Administration from Clark University and a master of Healthcare Administration from Washington University School of Medicine She completed an administrative fellowship at the Henry Ford Health System and will oversee the Smilow Cancer Hospital locations at all Health System locations as well as the satellite offices.

Pickens serves as an Officer of the Board of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). She and her husband have two children and they will be relocating to the New Haven area over the summer.