Albert Owens Jr., Pioneering Johns Hopkins Oncologist, Dies

To the Johns Hopkins Medicine community

Dear Colleagues:

It is with immense sadness that we must inform you that Albert Owens, a distinguished Johns Hopkins oncologist who played a leadership role in developing oncology as a scientific discipline and clinical specialty—and who also served as president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital—died on Jan. 13 at the age of 90.

When Albert, fondly known as Al, began his career, oncology was not a word that existed in the medical lexicon. Few specific medical facilities were set aside for cancer care, and there was no clearly recognized academic discipline. Al devoted his career to advancing cancer research and treatment. He was an exceptional leader who believed that the best way to foster science that would improve patient outcomes was to put basic scientists and clinicians together so they would naturally bond as team members, sharing projects, discoveries, frustrations and coffee on a daily basis.

In 1957, A. McGehee Harvey—then head of the school of medicine's Department of Medicine—created a cancer research and treatment division within the department, noting that chemotherapy had recently joined radiotherapy and surgery as weapons in the battle against cancer. He tapped Al to head the new oncology division. Because The Johns Hopkins Hospital at that time lacked the space for such a service, Al moved inpatient, clinical and research oncology activities to Baltimore City Hospitals, now Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. He opened Johns Hopkins' first cancer chemotherapy unit at Baltimore City Hospitals in 1961, making it one of the first university-based centers of its kind.

In 1973, Al was named the first director of the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, which had won federal designation as one of the nation's first comprehensive cancer centers. In 1977, he moved the center from Baltimore City Hospitals back to the main campus, where it was housed in a brand-new facility, named the Oncology Center. Over the next decade, the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center—now named the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center—became one of the most prestigious cancer centers in the country.

A beloved teacher and mentor, Al radiated interest and enthusiasm when it came to cancer research. He was known to frequently drop unannounced into the offices of young faculty members, asking them to describe the most exciting research project they were working on that day.

Al was named president of The Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1987. He relinquished the presidency after only 18 months so that he could devote his time to developing a new multimillion-dollar oncology center for the hospital. In doing so, Al ensured that his personal dedication to cancer care and research left a distinctive mark on the institution. During his brief tenure as the hospital's president, he decreed that the hospital would become smoke-free.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building was completed in January 2000. It was soon followed by the opening of the Bunting Family and Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Family Cancer Research Building. In 2006, the David H. Koch Cancer Research Building opened. These two research buildings are connected by the Albert H. Owens Jr. Auditorium, which was named in his honor.

Born in Staten Island, New York, Al received his undergraduate degree from The Johns Hopkins University. He later earned his medical degree from the school of medicine in 1949, then joined its faculty in 1956. He was also a medical officer in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Al was renowned and well-respected in his field, and served as president of the Maryland division of the American Cancer Society, president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes and president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Al is survived by his wife, Sally W. MacConnell; children Albert Henry Owens III, Elizabeth Ann Owens, David Tilden Owens and Sarah Louise Owens; and five grandchildren. The family will hold a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in honor of Al be made to the Albert H. Owens Jr., M.D., Fund at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Checks should be payable to The Johns Hopkins University and mailed to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt St., 17th floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, or go to hopkinscancerresearch.org to make a gift. A memorial service to celebrate Al's life and contributions to medicine is being planned. We will notify the Johns Hopkins Medicine community once the plans are finalized.

We owe a great deal of credit to Al for his devotion and tireless efforts, which helped make cancer care and research what they are today. Our thoughts are with his family as we mourn the loss and celebrate the accomplishments of a true pioneer and innovator in his field.

Sincerely,

Paul B. Rothman, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ronald R. Peterson
President, Johns Hopkins Health System
EVP, Johns Hopkins Medicine