1 minute read
PRACTITIONER SPOTLIGHT
HIGHLIGHTING OUR COMMUNITY’S EXPERTS
Dr. Mark Gimbel, Surgical Oncology
A Microscopic Moment That Sparked a Lifelong Journey
When Dr. Mark Gimbel first peered down a microscope in a cancer research lab, he didn’t just see cells—he saw a calling.
As a medical student, he became captivated by how the body’s cells could turn rogue when he joined a research lab studying antiestrogens for breast cancer. "I was amazed by how these cells could wreak havoc," he recalls. A rotation with a medical oncology team exposed him to treatments that could slow the disease, but it was his passion for surgery, and the tangible impact it offered, that ultimately shaped his career.
Determined to combine his interests, Dr. Gimbel pursued a general surgery residency while continuing cancer research, including two years at Memorial Sloan-Kettering, where he focused on the genetic makeup of colon cancer. This dedication led him to a surgical oncology fellowship at Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, where he honed his skills in surgical treatment of cancer patients.
One area that has particularly inspired Dr. Gimbel is immunotherapy. “It’s not about a single patient story,” he says. “It’s about an entire class of treatment transforming lives.” He’s seen how immune-based therapies, once considered experimental, have given patients with advanced cancers like melanoma hope and, in some cases, a cure. “Five to ten years ago, options were limited. Today, patients are living longer—and better—thanks to this progress.”
Looking to the future, Dr. Gimbel envisions a more precise, personalized approach to cancer care. "By understanding the genetic makeup of a tumor from a small biopsy, we’ll be able to predict its behavior and tailor treatments more effectively,” he says.
Though his medical training took him across the country, Dr. Gimbel is a proud Arizona native. He grew up in Scottsdale, attending Kiva Elementary and Saguaro High School before heading to the University of Michigan. After years on the East Coast for medical training, the pull of family and Arizona sunshine brought him home. For over 15 years, he has helped build a surgical oncology practice at Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he also serves as the Medical Director of the T.W. Lewis Melanoma Center of Excellence.
Outside the OR, Dr. Gimbel is an avid pickleball player, proud father of three grown sons, and a dedicated dog dad to a spirited Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. Married for over 23 years, he finds balance in outdoor jogs, park visits, and friendly competition on the court.
