Timothy J. Hobday, M.D.

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SUMMARY

Timothy J. Hobday, M.D., conducts clinical and translational research focused on neuroendocrine tumors in conjunction with basic scientists and pathologists at Mayo Clinic and other academic institutions. Dr. Hobday has been the principal investigator on several multicenter clinical trials, testing novel therapies for these uncommon diseases. He is a member of the National Cancer Institute's Neuroendocrine Tumors Task Force, which is charged with leading the development of research initiatives throughout the country for neuroendocrine tumors.

Dr. Hobday has extensive experience in clinical research of novel therapies for breast cancer, including phase 2 and phase 3 trials in the adjuvant and metastatic setting.

Focus areas

• Developing novel therapies for neuroendocrine tumors. Neuroendocrine tumors are a rare family of cancers that present in a wide array of manners and affect patients in multiple ways. Since medical therapies for these advanced cancers are only modestly effective, new therapies are necessary. Dr. Hobday is evaluating existing and novel therapies for neuroendocrine tumors by conducting clinical trials.
• Defining optimal therapies for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Hobday is the principal investigator of a national, randomized clinical trial comparing two effective therapies for patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. The goal is to define the most effective therapy with the least side effects to maximize quality of life for patients.
• Supportive care. Dr. Hobday continues to develop and refine supportive care for patients with neuroendocrine tumors. He has conducted clinical trials, published commentaries and given lectures to further improve the quality of life and lengthen the life of patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors.
• Education leadership. Dr. Hobday has been the program director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at Mayo Clinic's campus in Rochester, Minnesota. The fellowship is one of the largest in the nation. He also has led programs and mentored internal medicine residents, medical students and fellows from other specialties.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Hobday seeks to make survival — and quality of survival — better for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors and other gastrointestinal and breast cancers. Through his leadership in education, he also is helping educate and bring about career development for future healthcare professionals who deliver expert cancer care at Mayo Clinic and institutions across the U.S.

Professional highlights

• Teacher of the Year, Internal Medicine Residency, Mayo Clinic, 2007.
• Excellence in Teaching, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, 2005.