Lawrence Einhorn, MD, a titan in the field of oncology best known for pioneering the cure for testis cancer, will deliver the keynote address to the Indiana University School of Medicine Class of 2018 during commencement ceremonies on May 12.
“Dr. Einhorn is the consummate physician,” said Jay L. Hess, MD, PhD, MHSA, dean of IU School of Medicine. “His research related to testicular cancer has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of young men. But beyond being brilliant, his is empathetic, thoughtful and accessible, traits that endear him to his patients. The world needs more Larry Einhorns. I can’t think of a more appropriate person to address our graduates.”
A native of Dayton, Ohio, and the son of a family practitioner, Dr. Einhorn knew early on he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine studies from Indiana University in 1963, he completed his medical degree at the University of Iowa in 1967. Dr. Einhorn then returned to the Hoosier state to complete residency and fellowship training at IU School of Medicine before completing a second fellowship at M.D. Anderson in Houston, Texas.
Arriving back at IU School of Medicine in 1973 as the school’s first faculty oncologist, Dr. Einhorn began his career working with the late John Donohue, MD, the acknowledged leader in the surgical cure for early stage testicular cancer. Within a year of coming to the school, Dr. Einhorn began to experiment with Cisplatin, a platinum-based drug that had produced poor results when administered to treat cancer. But Dr. Einhorn remained determined that the drug held promise for his patients and tested a theory that involved combining Cisplatin with two additional drugs
Dr. Einhorn’s new regimen ultimately established a cure for testis cancer – a disease that once claimed nearly every life it touched. The survival rate for patients skyrocketed to 95 percent – the highest cure rate of any cancer. Forty-five years later, Dr. Einhorn remains the international expert on testicular cancer, and patients seek him out from around the globe.
He remains an active physician and researcher, and today focuses his research on lung cancer, cancer survivorship, and reducing the toxicities of Cisplatin-based therapy.
He is an Indiana University distinguished professor and the Livestrong Foundation Professor of Oncology.
Commencement for the IU School of Medicine Class of 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 12, from 9:30 – 11:30 am in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center.