Peoria Standard

James McGee, MD, MHCM, FACRO, has been appointed president of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. Dr. McGee previously served as the founding director of the institute since its opening in February 2024 and will continue his role as vice president of Physician Services for the Oncology service line at OSF HealthCare.

Dr. McGee has been recognized for his commitment to clinical care and early cancer detection in central Illinois since 1988.

"I welcome my role as president of the OSF Healthcare Cancer Institute as it further facilitates all those involved in our mission to improve health for those living in rural America, and, by our example, others around the world.  The development of the Institute has been driven by the values of the OSF Ministry that provide us with renewed hope and courage to meet every challenge,” says Dr. James McGee, president of OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. “The spirit of the OSF Ministry helps us in our weakness and causes us to work together for the good. Our people have been chosen by God for this work; they prove it every day.   My role is to support them as caregivers to those we serve."

In his new position, Dr. McGee will be responsible for leading efforts to establish a top-tier cancer program aimed at improving patient health outcomes across communities served by OSF HealthCare.

“Dr. McGee brings exceptional clinical expertise, visionary leadership, and a deep commitment to prevention and advancing cancer care,” said Kimberly Russo, CEO, Central Region, OSF HealthCare. “His dedication to innovation, research, and compassionate care aligns perfectly with our vision of treating the whole person and delivering world-class, patient-centered care that shapes the future of cancer.”

During his tenure as director, Dr. McGee led initiatives that expanded advanced high-dose-rate brachytherapy programs at OSF Cancer Institute and implemented proton therapy services. He also played a key role in recruiting medical oncology specialists and research professionals.

Recent collaborations under Dr. McGee’s leadership include partnerships with University of Illinois Cancer Center at Urbana, University of Illinois College of Medicine, and Origin Commercial Ventures—efforts which contributed to launching both the Breakthrough Treatment Center at OSF Cancer Institute and BEAT Cancer Research Initiative.

These projects focus on providing early phase cancer control treatments with an emphasis on integrating engineering advancements into cancer care.

Dr. McGee holds a Bachelor of Science from Quincy College and earned his medical degree from Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University Chicago before completing a Master’s in Health Care Management from Harvard School of Public Health.