Robert L Witt, M.D., FACS

Christiana Care - Oncology

Director, Head & Neck Multidisciplinary Center, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center
Christiana Care Active Staff, Christiana Care Health Systems

Academic Appointment:
Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery ,Thomas Jefferson University
Adjunct Scientist in the Center for Translational Cancer Research, University of Delaware

Education:
B.A., University of Delaware (Biology) - 1977
M.D., Jefferson Medical College - 1981
Intern in Surgery, University of Hawaii (1981-1982)
Resident in Surgery, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (1982-1983)
Resident in Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School (1983-1986)

Biography:
Dr. Witt is a surgeon who specializes in head and neck oncology; tumors of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, para-nasal sinuses, thyroid and salivary glands. Advanced cancers often require combined multi-modality therapy that can include minimally invasive to radical surgery. One of the consequences of multi-modality treatment is xerostomia (dryness) particularly from radiation therapy. Patients often suffer poor quality of life because of xerostomia. There is a significant need for the treatment of xerostomia. Present medications are only partially successful and come with side effects. Tissue engineering to develop new salivary tissue is a promising area of research. Dr. Witt also participates in a research project to assist with vocal cord regeneration. This research includes biologists, materials engineers, and clinical surgeons.

RECENT PRESS

Achieving great things.

2010 DHSA Research Conference Coverage
May 5, 2010--More than 275 people from the health sciences research and education community turned out for the 2010 Delaware Health Sciences Alliance Conference on Tuesday, May 4, to share research and explore issues in health care.

UD and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital to partner on bone disorder study
April 15, 2010--In search of a new treatment for the debilitating disease osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a team of researchers from the University of Delaware and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children is initiating a two-year study exploring the use of an FDA-approved vibration platform in children with OI.

Delaware Health Sciences Alliance awards two pilot projects
April 1, 2010--Two pilot projects funded by the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) under its second competition focus on identifying cutting-edge cancer therapies, and creating the bioinformatics framework that will facilitate translational research among the alliance members.

Transforming the Region's Healthcare
March, 2010--An article in the March edition of Select Greater Philadelphia's "Momentum" discusses how the DSHA is drawing on the collective resources of its partner members - including the health sciences campus to be developed by the University of Delaware at the former Chrysler site - to revolutionize healthcare research and education in the region.

National experts to speak at Delaware Health Sciences Alliance research conference
Tuesday, February 18, 2010--The Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA) will host its second annual research conference on May 4 at Christiana Care Health System's John H. Ammon Medical Education Center on the Christiana Hospital Campus.

UD health sciences dean to lead partnership programs
December 14, 2009--Kathy Matt, dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware, has been appointed to leadership positions in two partnership programs that she sees as key to promoting health research and education in Delaware.

Older adults with cancer, caregivers focus of $600,000 research grant
Dec. 11, 2009--A team that includes two researchers from the University of Delaware's School of Nursing -- Paula Klemm, professor of nursing, and Veronica Rempusheski, the Jeanne K. Buxbaum Chair of Nursing Science -- has been awarded a two-year, $600,000 grant to conduct research aimed at supporting older adults affected by cancer and their caregivers in Delaware.

DHSA takes center stage at UD Trustees meeting
December 9, 2009--The University of Delaware's Board of Trustees got a firsthand look at the largest single property acquisition in the history of the institution during its semiannual meeting, held Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the former Chrysler assembly plant on South College Avenue in Newark.

Christiana Care's Dr. Petrelli to share cancer success story at national surgeons' conference
November 11, 2009--Christiana Care's pioneering role in significantly reducing Delaware's cancer rate will be in the national spotlight at a prestigious medical conference.