Christopher Strouse, MD, clinical assistant professor and hematologist within the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, now leads the multidisciplinary oncology group (MOG) for myeloma at UI’s Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center (HCCC).

MOGs, as detailed here, are defined teams within the HCCC, each one organized around a specific type of cancer. There are 15 in all and each one contains members from across University of Iowa Health Care and the Carver College of Medicine, such as surgeons, oncologists, and radiologists, all focused on a specific type of cancer. The MOGs can guide people after diagnosis more efficiently toward solutions that are best suited for them, including cutting-edge clinical trials.

Strouse joined the faculty at Iowa and the HCCC after completing his hematology and medical oncology fellowship at Iowa in 2020. While he was training as a fellow and since becoming a faculty member, Strouse has seen the benefits of MOGs firsthand. He has also seen what leadership of them requires.

Though he acknowledges the deep wells of talent that exist throughout the MOGS, one leader he cited specifically was Brian Link, MD, who led the lymphoma MOG for many years. Strouse said Link gave the team “a strong sense of direction, while also being very inviting of everybody’s input.” Strouse hopes to foster a similar balance within his MOG.

Additionally, Strouse hopes to further expand the clinical trial portfolio on offer for people diagnosed with myeloma. He says that there have been “dramatic changes” in the kinds of treatment available in recent years. And, because HCCC is “the only center in Iowa that can offer these new and transformative treatments, we must continue to expand our clinical trial offerings, so our patients have the opportunity to participate.”

Learn more about the clinical trials currently available for treating multiple myeloma or search our clinical trials page.