Better care, more hope for Iowans facing cancer

Mark Burkard, MD, PhD, is building on decades of progress in cancer research to bring together innovation and statewide expertise to change what's possible for Iowans facing cancer.

Oct. 27, 2026

A cancer diagnosis can bring a flood of questions: What treatment is right for me? Where can I find the expertise I need? Are there new options available?

Mark Burkard, MD, PhD, wants Iowans to have the answers, and to have them close to home.

Since becoming director of University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2024, Burkard has brought a broader vision to those questions, drawing on his expertise in precision oncology, breast cancer research, and experience running statewide programs.

His mission is ambitious and direct: to defeat cancer.

And his work has taken on new urgency as Iowa's cancer rates have risen significantly in recent years, placing the state among the highest in the nation. Burkard sees that reality not as a statistic, but as a call to action.

"As cancer becomes more complicated and specialized, it's critical we have deep expertise in the state and dedicated methods of sharing knowledge," Burkard says.

Prior to joining UI Health Care, Burkard spent 16 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he served as a physician-scientist and precision oncology leader. There, he led a statewide program building systems needed to use genetic information in research and patient care. He oversaw clinical trials for rare genetic findings that could be used to help patients and partnered with health systems across the state to connect them with patients.

Drawing on those experiences, Burkard now leads Holden's comprehensive efforts to address cancer in Iowa through prevention, screening, treatment, research, and education. He is championing efforts to expand access for patients statewide to get care close to home when possible and expedited access to specialists when needed.