GOSHEN — Dr. Roderich Schwarz has been named the new medical director for IU Health Goshen Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care.

Schwarz, a native of Germany, is a practicing surgical oncologist and comes to IU Health after serving as chair of surgical oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. The school is among the top 25 medical schools and biomedical research institutions in the country.

Schwarz’ laboratory research and clinical trials focus on gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic cancer. He has had scholarly articles published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, the Annals of Surgical Oncology and the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, among others.

As the medical director of the Center for Cancer Care, Schwarz will be responsible for leading all clinical program activities, including research and physician recruitment, and will set the strategic clinical vision for the center, according to a release from the hospital.

“Because we continue to expand our cancer research and treatment capabilities at IU Health Goshen, we needed to find a cutting-edge leader in the field with expertise both as a practitioner and a researcher,” said Randy Christophel, President and CEO of IU Health Goshen.

“But just as important as his skill is his approach to cancer care. He is known for his collaboration with other leaders in the field, and takes a patient-centered approach to his care. He is a great fit.”

Later in 2013, Schwarz will also join the IU School of Medicine as a professor of surgery and will continue his research at the Harper Cancer Research Institute, which is a partnership between the University of Notre Dame and the IU School of Medicine South Bend.