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University of California San Francisco

Our Team

Mack Roach III, M.D., F.A.C.R.

Professor
Departments of Radiation Oncology & Urology

Art (drawing and painting), fine wine, travel

Meet Dr. Roach
I’m particularly motivated to eliminate health disparities, and I’m particularly inspired by cancer patients, who teach us that the human spirit overcomes all

Dr. Roach is a Professor of Radiation Oncology and Urology in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of California San Francisco. He is recognized as a major authority on the treatment of localized prostate cancer. His research interests involve the application of image-guided intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and Brachytherapy and defining the optimal imaging modalities and criteria for selecting specific targets for radiation, while minimizing treatment related complications. He has helped to pioneer the use of endorectal Magnetic Spectroscopy imaging as a means of monitoring prostate cancer outcomes. Dr. Roach was a leader in establishing the American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria Guidelines for defining how men with prostate cancer should be treated with radiotherapy from 1996 through 2006. He also served on the NCI Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Working Group describing criteria for the use of this new technology and currently serves on the National Comprehensive Cancer Guidelines Committee for Prostate Cancer. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, such as the American Cancer Society Career Development Award and the UCSF Health Net Wellness Award. He is a Fellow of the ACR and ASTRO. Dr. Roach has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and/or editorials. He has served on numerous editorial boards and was appointed (2013) by President Obama to serve on a 6-year term on the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB) which is involved in defining the research agenda for our nation. He has lead two large Phase III Trials evaluating the role of whole-pelvic radiation in men with high risk prostate cancer, and when completed in total, nearly 4000 men will have been enrolled on these two studies. A major research interest of his work has been to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction (and other side-effects) associated with treatment of prostate cancer with radiation. He is currently also very active in the efforts to develop the capacity to harness heavy charged particles for the treatment of radiation resistant cancers.

Education

Education

1975 Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA BS (Honors) Physics
1979 Stanford University School of Medicine MD  
1979-1981 Martin Luther King, Jr., General Hospital, Los Angeles, CA Internship and Resident  
1981-1983 UCSF Fellow Hematology-Oncology
1983-1984 Highland General Hospital, Oakland, CA Chief Resident Medicine
1984-1987 Stanford University School of Medicine Resident Radiation Therapy (Chief Resident – 1986)
2020-2020 Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA Honorary PhD Doctor of Science
Professional Experience

Professional Experience

2014-present UCSF Professor Radiation Oncology
2007-2015 UCSF Professor & Chair Radiation Oncology
2006-2007 UCSF Professor & Interim Chair Radiation Oncology
2003-2006 UCSF Professor & Vice Chair Radiation Oncology
2003-present UCSF Professor Urology
2001-present UCSF Director, Clinical Research Radiation Oncology
2000-2003 UCSF Professor in Residence Radiation Oncology & Urology
1997-2000 UCSF Associate Professor Urology
1994-2000 UCSF Associate Professor in Residence Radiation Oncology & Medical Oncology
1990-1994 UCSF Assistant Professor in Residence Radiation Oncology
1988-1990 Veterans Administration Medical Center, Martinez, CA Chief Radiation Oncology
Services
1987-1988 Veterans Administration Medical Center, Martinez, CA Acting Chief Radiation Oncology Services

Awards & Honors

1979-1980 Outstanding Intern of the Year (Charles R. Drew Award)  
1981-1982 Fellow, American Cancer Society  
1994-1997 American Cancer Society, Career Development Award  
1994 UCSF Health Net Wellness Award  
1996-1997 Best Doctors in America ®  
1997, 1998 Best Doctors in the Bay Area  
1999 Health & Wellness Award – 100 Black Men of the Bay Area Inc.  
2001-2002 Best Doctors in America ®  
2002 Fellow, American College of Radiology  
2002-2003 President, John Hale Medical Society  
2003-2004 Best Doctors in America ®  
2005 10 Most Influential African Americans in the Bay Area (Healthcare)  
2005-2006 Best Doctors in America ®  
2007 UCSF Award for Community Service  
2007-2008 The Best Doctors in America ®  
2008 America’s Most Innovative Doctors, Black Enterprise Magazine  
2008 Bennie Service Award, Morehouse College  
2010 ASCO Statesman Award  
2012 Presidential Appointment to the National Cancer Advisory Board of the NIH  
2014 Fellow, American Society of Radiation Oncology (FASTRO)  
2018 NCI, Directors Service Award (National Cancer Advisory Board)  
2020 Honorary Doctor of Science award, Morehouse College  

Redefining Possible