Kaiser Permanente Genomic Oncology Leader Advancing Precision Medicine Through Molecular Tumor Boards and Global Health Equity

"As precision oncology started to develop, it was sort of in my wheelhouse because it let me further my interest and use my knowledge in molecular biology for a more applied role in taking care of patients," Dr. Sachdev Thomas noted, capturing what inspired him to become one of Kaiser Permanente's leading genomic oncology specialists.

Championing Precision Oncology at Kaiser Permanente

As a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist serving as National Genomic Oncology Co-Lead at Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Dr. Thomas has positioned himself at the intersection of cutting-edge science and practical patient care. He specializes in genomic oncology, malignant hematology, and genitourinary cancers while overseeing one of the nation's most comprehensive precision oncology programs.

At Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Thomas is focused on making precision medicine accessible system-wide, recognizing that genomic breakthroughs mean little without thoughtful implementation. "We do about 650 sequencing studies every month," he noted, describing the scope of genomic testing under his oversight. His role extends beyond individual patient care to developing national genomic oncology treatment pathways and ensuring that Kaiser's 12 million members have equitable access to precision medicine regardless of their location within the system.

Driving Collaboration Through Molecular Tumor Boards

Dr. Thomas brings this systematic approach to precision medicine to the 5th Binaytara Precision Oncology Summit, where he serves on the organizing committee, chairs a session on molecular tumor boards, and leads a panel discussion on ethical challenges in precision oncology. The two-day, CME-accredited national conference, themed "Redefining Cancer Treatment with Molecular Targeted Strategies," addresses exactly the kind of challenges Dr. Thomas faces daily in his leadership role. "What I particularly liked about this summit was the emphasis on biomarkers rather than particular disease types," he explained. "As the science is evolving, we are realizing that there are biomarker pathways that are pertinent across tumor types."

Advancing Global Health Equity

His involvement with Binaytara reflects a deeper commitment to addressing global health disparities in cancer care. "One of the reasons I was particularly enamored by Binaytara's mission is primarily their focus on providing resources in resource-limited or resource-scarce settings," Dr. Thomas noted, citing their work in Nepal as particularly meaningful to him. This global perspective informs his approach to precision oncology, where he sees two critical barriers: cost and access to both testing and treatments.

Leading Research in Circulating Tumor DNA

Through his multifaceted role as clinician, researcher, and healthcare system leader, Dr. Thomas continues to demonstrate that effective precision oncology requires not just scientific innovation but also systematic implementation and global health equity awareness. His work ensures that whether a patient receives care at Kaiser's Vallejo facility or any of their locations nationwide, they have access to the same cutting-edge genomic testing and targeted therapies that define modern cancer care.

Dr. Thomas is involved in several clinical trials and is particularly excited about those involving circulating tumor DNA and their potential to modify or spare certain treatments. "I'm particularly interested to see those come to fruition," he noted, referring to three specific trials examining how liquid biopsy technology can guide treatment decisions.

Learn with Us and Drive Meaningful Impact

As a leader in global oncology, Binaytara organizes over 50 CME/ACPE-accredited conferences annually to share the latest updates in hematology and oncology while addressing critical issues in cancer health disparities. All our CME conferences are multidisciplinary and are designed for physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals committed to advancing cancer care. We strongly believe that targeted CME and cross-institutional collaboration are essential to expanding the reach and impact of novel cancer treatments.

Attendees of the Binaytara Precision Oncology Summit can earn up to 10.00 continuing education credits across several categories: ABIM MOC II, ACPE Pharmacy, AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, and Nursing Contact Hours. To register, visit https://conference.binaytara.org/.