Sener comes to USC from Northwestern University in Chicago, where he serves as professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and vice-chair of the Department of Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem.

He also served as national president of the American Cancer Society (ACS) in 2004-2005. Sener’s service as volunteer chairman of the ACS’s Cancer Incidence and End Results Committee facilitated evolution of the concepts of quality care and health care access. The work also led to the development of the National Cancer Database.

“Dr. Sener has a strong background in administrative leadership, surgical oncology and the ability to facilitate cross-functional program development,” said Carmen A. Puliafito, dean of the Keck School of Medicine. “I think he will be an outstanding addition to the Department of Surgery.”

As chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology in the Department of Surgery, Sener has several priorities, including incorporation of the new division into the administrative structure of the Department of Surgery.

He also hopes to augment the breast cancer screening and clinical care program at USC, both on the main medical campus and in the greater Los Angeles community.

“I want to strengthen a clinical and basic research program that will be integrated with breast cancer clinical care, and develop multidisciplinary programs that are designed to screen general and high-risk populations for cancer and to facilitate care of newly diagnosed patients with USC physicians,” said Sener.

A nationally known breast cancer surgeon, Sener has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society since 1984. A prolific writer and researcher, he has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous books and book chapters. In addition, Sener serves as deputy editor of the Journal of Surgical Oncology and on the editorial board of the American Journal of Surgery and the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

“As we continue to grow the Department of Surgery, I believe Dr. Sener will help us build on our commitment to excellence in clinical care, along with excellence in surgical teaching, with an important focus on surgical oncology,” said Vaughn A. Starnes, chair of the Department of Surgery at the Keck School and surgeon-in-chief at USC Norris Cancer Hospital and USC University Hospital.

Sener earned his medical degree from Northwestern University in Chicago, where he also completed an internship and residency in general surgery.

He went on to finish American Cancer Society clinical fellowships in the Department of Surgery at Evanston Hospital and in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.

“I am excited to be a new member of the Trojan family because I am joining a great core group of dedicated, excellent physicians and caregivers, and to facilitate the enhancement of integrated clinical and research programs within the medical school,” said Sener.