City of Hope Appoints Simon Nazarian as Chief Digital and Technology Officer to Drive Innovation and Digital Transformation

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--City of Hope^®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., today announced that Simon Nazarian will join the organization as its new executive vice president and chief digital and technology officer. In this role, Nazarian will lead City of Hope’s overall technology strategy, transforming and expanding technology innovation through digital, AI and advanced analytics initiatives. Nazarian will report to Robert Stone, City of Hope’s chief executive officer.

“Technology is key to unlocking breakthroughs and solutions to some of the biggest challenges in cancer and advancing the care we deliver to our patients,” said Stone, Helen and Morgan Chu Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair. “I’m so pleased to welcome Simon to City of Hope to propel our mission forward. His deep experience will help our teams harness the power of technological innovation to develop new solutions and accelerate our ability to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes.”

Nazarian joins City of Hope after serving for four years as chief information officer at Optum Health-Care Delivery, one of America’s leading health care providers and health plans. He brings more than 25 years of experience developing innovative strategies and leading large transformational initiatives for Optum, McKinsey and Company, Kaiser Permanente, Sony Pictures Entertainment and other large companies. In his new role, Nazarian will be responsible for evolving City of Hope’s technology and digital ecosystem, with the goal of enabling discoveries in the fight against cancer and enhancing the overall patient and care team experience.

“I am truly honored to join City of Hope, an organization that is renowned for its cancer research, treatment and innovation," Nazarian said. “Its mission and deep focus on patients personally resonate with me. I am looking forward to partnering with cancer experts and dedicated teams across our national system of care to apply advanced technologies and insights that will create an even more seamless experience for our patients and care teams.”

Nazarian, who holds an M.B.A. in information strategy from San Diego State University, will join City of Hope on Sept. 9, 2024.

With a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center at its core, City of Hope is a global leader in translating breakthrough research into effective treatments through collaboration and scientific exploration. This includes:

• The country’s largest, and one of the most successful and internationally recognized, bone marrow transplantation (BMT) programs. City of Hope remains a pioneer in BMT and cellular therapies, with locations across the country offering breakthrough treatments for all hematologic malignancies.
• More than 850 clinical trials each year, with an expansive geographical footprint that provides access to innovative therapies for patients across the U.S.
• An “Exceptional” rating, the highest possible, from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. This places the center in the top echelon of the nation’s 57 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers.
• A top 5 placement on U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the “Best Hospitals” in cancer care.

More than 86 million people now live in communities with local access to a City of Hope location. Last year, the organization treated more than 144,000 patients.

About City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope^TM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.