Cedars-Sinai Blog
Faces of Cedars-Sinai: Cancer Expert Dr. Dan Theodorescu
Meet Dr. Dan Theodorescu, researcher and urologic cancer specialist.
Dr. Theodorescu joined Cedars-Sinai earlier this year as the new director of CS Cancer. Bringing with him decades of cancer leadership experience, he plans to grow the cancer program at Cedars-Sinai.
We sat down with Dr. Theodorescu to learn more about him and his mission for the cancer center.
What is your role at the cancer institute?
Dr. Dan Theodorescu: My role here is to provide the vision and strategy to move the cancer program at Cedars-Sinai forward.
The job has many facets: Think of it as part inventor, part engineer, part builder, part orchestra director, and big part cheerleader for Cedars-Sinai and the cancer center.
"If your passion is to help the sick, then I think medicine is the best job in the world."
What inspired you to pursue medicine?
DT: When I was young, I had an aunt who died from cancer.
I was always fascinated by what the disease was that made her suffer so much, and that prompted me to read about scientists and physicians who were doing cancer research.
I formulated this idea that I could be a doctor and do research and help people; eventually that led to me to medical school.
I originally planned to be a pediatric oncologist because I love children, but during my first day in an operating room, I saw a cardiac surgery and I said to myself, "This is way too cool. I have to do surgery." Since I was always good with my hands, surgery seemed like the right fit for me.
What's your advice for someone thinking of pursuing medicine?
DT: My advice for any young person—and the advice I gave my 2 children—is follow your heart, see what your passion is, and pursue that passion.
Do the things that make you happy. If your passion is to help the sick, then I think medicine is the best job in the world. In what other job can you hear the words, "Dr. Theodorescu, thank you for saving our father's life," after doing a complicated surgical procedure?
What's the best part of your job?
DT: That's a tough question because I love so many aspects of my job.
I never thought of ranking them, but the top 3 things that I like about my job, in no particular order, are the opportunity to make scientific discoveries through research; touching a patient's life as their physician; and as an administrator, helping my colleagues accomplish their dreams in cancer medicine.
You've been in LA for a couple months now. Do you have any favorite spots yet?
DT: I haven't had much time to explore yet; we're still getting settled in.
I've been to LA many times over the years, and it's a great city with so many things to do. I'm looking forward to seeing more of it soon.
Since I'm a big car guy, I definitely want to visit the Petersen Museum to see their collection. Maybe if I get lucky, I'll meet Jay Leno and get a personal tour of his garage.
What do you like to do in your free time?
DT: I really enjoy mountain biking, which I rediscovered living in Colorado over the last 8 years. We lived near a state park, so I rode there a lot, but I plan to take my bike down to the beach here.
My other hobbies are cars, planes, computers, and home automation. I guess pretty much anything with mechanical or electronic parts!
