Evans named new chair of urology

Christopher P. Evans, a member of the UC Davis School of Medicine faculty since 1997, has been appointed chair of the Department of Urology. He succeeds Ralph W. deVere White, who stepped down after 21 years as head of the department.

“I am excited that Dr. Evans is assuming the position of chair in our Department of Urology,” said Claire Pomeroy, Vice Chancellor for Human Health Sciences and dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine. “Dr. Evans’ leadership, research excellence, and superb clinical and surgical skills will lead the department to even higher levels of academic accomplishment and excellence in patient-care services.”

The UC Davis Department of Urology is known for its active participation in national clinical trials and strong research emphasis, especially in the areas of prostate and bladder cancer. It provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for adult and pediatric urologic conditions and is a regional leader in complex urologic surgeries, including nerve-sparing and robotic radical prostatectomy, urinary reconstruction for adults and children, laparoscopic renal surgeries, and minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

“I am delighted to assume such a fine department from Dr. deVere White,” Evans said. “I plan to build upon our excellent faculty and residency program in the areas of research, clinical opportunity and outreach. We will continue to bring new surgical and medical advances to the university and region.”

DeVere White continues as assistant dean for cancer programs at UC Davis School of Medicine and Medical Center, a post he assumed last year, and as director of the UC Davis Cancer Center, a job he has held since 1996. In addition, deVere White continues his urologic oncology practice and research laboratory.

“Very few people have the pleasure of seeing a person they hired take over for them,” said deVere White, who brought Evans on board in 1997. “I'm extraordinarily happy with the choice for my replacement, and see a bright future for the department.”

With research funding from the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Defense and American Cancer Society, Evans maintains an active research laboratory focusing on prostate cancer. He is director of Urology Research Laboratories at UC Davis, co-director of the UC Davis Genitorurinary Oncology Clinical Trials Group and a member of the UC Davis Cancer Center.

At the national level, Evans serves on the board of Directors of the Society of Urologic Oncology and is active on many committees in the American Association for Cancer Research. He is a member of the editorial board and an associate editor of Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, an editor for the British Journal of Urology International, and a section editor for Current Opinion in Urology.

His professional affiliations include fellowship in the American College of Surgeons, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association for Cancer Research, the Southwest Oncology Group, the Society of Urologic Oncology, the American Urological Association, and its Western Section, the Society for Basic Urologic Research and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.

Evans received his medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School, completed residencies and research fellowships in urology and surgery at UCSF, and completed a fellowship in urologic oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. He served for two years as chief of experimental surgery at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Washington, D.C.