City of Hope Names Laurie Sicaeros and Melissa Childress to Lead Cancer Centers in Arizona and Atlanta
City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, has appointed two experienced healthcare executives to lead its cancer centers in Arizona and Atlanta as the organization continues expanding access to specialized oncology care, innovative therapies, clinical research and supportive services.
The organization announced the appointment of Laurie Sicaeros as president of City of Hope Cancer Center Arizona and Melissa Childress as president of City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta. Both executives bring extensive experience in healthcare strategy, cancer services, operations, physician partnerships and patient-focused care.
The leadership appointments come as cancer continues to represent a significant and growing healthcare challenge across the United States. City of Hope said approximately 40% of Americans are expected to receive a cancer diagnosis during their lifetime. In 2026, an estimated 44,620 people in Arizona and more than 68,400 people in Georgia are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
Against this backdrop, City of Hope is strengthening leadership in two important regional markets as it seeks to expand cancer care capabilities and connect more patients with specialized treatment, research and clinical trials.
The organization said Sicaeros and Childress will focus on building on existing strengths while expanding access to advanced cancer services and strengthening relationships with physicians, researchers, healthcare partners and communities.
Melissa Childress to Lead City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta
Childress, a Georgia native, brings more than two decades of healthcare leadership experience to her new role. Her career has focused extensively on cancer services, operational strategy, growth, patient experience and staff engagement.
Before joining City of Hope, Childress most recently worked as a partner at Chartis Healthcare Consulting, where she advised cancer centers across the United States on strategic planning, growth initiatives and operational excellence.
Her previous leadership roles include serving as chief operating officer at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, vice president of cancer services at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University and associate executive director of business development at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Through these positions, Childress developed experience across multiple areas of cancer center operations, including clinical program development, strategic growth, patient access and infrastructure expansion.
Her leadership record also includes efforts to expand clinical trial access and oversee major capital development projects. Among those projects was the design of a 455,000-square-foot cancer facility representing a $484 million investment.
City of Hope said Childress has earned recognition for her ability to bring together multidisciplinary teams and develop care models designed to improve experiences and outcomes for patients, families and healthcare professionals.
In her new role, she will be responsible for advancing City of Hope’s cancer care strategy in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Her experience in the state and understanding of the regional healthcare landscape are expected to support the organization’s efforts to deepen its connection with patients and communities.
“I am inspired by the opportunity to lead alongside people who share a commitment to patients,” Childress said. “My vision is to build on the strengths of our physicians and team members. Together, we will expand access to advanced cancer care, bring new research and clinical trials to the region and serve communities across metro Atlanta and Georgia with expertise and compassion.”
Expanding City of Hope’s Presence in Georgia
The appointment comes as City of Hope continues to develop its presence in the Atlanta region.
In 2025, City of Hope Atlanta opened City of Hope Cancer Center Paces Ferry, a cancer care facility located in Buckhead. The center was established to provide patients with access to specialized cancer care and rapid consultations with oncology experts while maintaining a connection to City of Hope’s hospital in Newnan and its broader national network.
The Paces Ferry location is part of the organization’s broader strategy to bring specialized cancer expertise closer to patients in the communities where they live.
By combining local access with connections to a larger cancer research and treatment network, City of Hope aims to provide patients with a more integrated pathway for diagnosis, treatment, clinical research and supportive care.
Childress will oversee the continued development of these capabilities as the organization seeks to expand the range of cancer services available to patients throughout metropolitan Atlanta and Georgia.
The leadership change also comes at a time when access to clinical trials and advanced cancer therapies is increasingly important for patients with complex or difficult-to-treat cancers. City of Hope’s national research infrastructure provides opportunities to connect regional patients with research programs and emerging treatment approaches.
Laurie Sicaeros Named President of City of Hope Cancer Center Arizona
Sicaeros joins City of Hope Cancer Center Arizona with more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience.
Her background includes strategic planning, healthcare innovation, organizational growth, physician partnerships and operational management. Before joining City of Hope, Sicaeros served as chief strategy officer for MemorialCare in Southern California.
In that position, she was responsible for systemwide strategic planning, business development, digital transformation and physician alignment.
Previously, she served as chief operating officer of MemorialCare Medical Foundation, where she oversaw medical group operations, physician integration, ambulatory services and value-based care initiatives.
Her experience across strategy and operations is expected to support City of Hope’s continued expansion throughout Arizona.
Sicaeros said her priorities will include bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers and community partners to improve access to cancer care while creating a supportive experience for patients and families.
“I am honored to join City of Hope Cancer Center Arizona and lead our next chapter,” Sicaeros said. “My vision is to bring together exceptional people, purposeful innovation and strong community partnerships to make cancer care more accessible. I look forward to working alongside our physicians, nurses and team members and researchers at TGen to create an experience where patients and families feel confident in their care and supported throughout their journey.”
Strengthening Cancer Care Across Arizona
City of Hope Cancer Center Arizona has continued to expand its network of cancer care services across the state.
The organization’s Arizona presence is anchored by its cancer hospital in Goodyear and includes care centers in North Phoenix, North Scottsdale, Gilbert and Prescott. Through these locations, City of Hope is working to bring specialized cancer expertise closer to patients across different Arizona communities.
The network provides access to advanced cancer treatment, innovative therapies, clinical trials and comprehensive support services. Its regional model is designed to reduce barriers to specialized cancer care while allowing patients to remain connected to a broader cancer research and treatment organization.
Sicaeros will oversee the next phase of that growth, working with physicians, nurses, researchers and other healthcare professionals to strengthen services and develop new opportunities for patients.
Her responsibilities will also include working closely with research partners to connect scientific discoveries with clinical care.
Partnership With TGen Supports Precision Oncology
A major component of City of Hope’s Arizona strategy is its relationship with the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).
Sicaeros will work closely with Jeffrey Trent, Ph.D., president and research director of TGen. The partnership between City of Hope and TGen brings together cancer treatment expertise and genomics research.
The organizations’ integrated model is intended to accelerate research into the biological drivers of cancer and support the development of more personalized approaches to treatment.
Genomic information can help researchers and clinicians better understand individual tumors and identify potential therapeutic targets. Combining genomics research with clinical oncology may therefore support the development and delivery of treatments tailored to specific disease characteristics.
The collaboration also provides a pathway for discoveries made through research to move toward clinical application.
For City of Hope, the partnership represents an important component of its broader strategy to combine patient care with research and innovation.
Leadership Focused on Access, Innovation and Patient Experience
The appointments of Sicaeros and Childress reflect City of Hope’s focus on strengthening regional leadership as the organization expands its cancer care infrastructure.
Both executives have spent significant portions of their careers working on healthcare access, operational improvement and organizational growth. Their combined experience spans cancer services, strategic planning, physician engagement, facility development, research access and patient experience.
City of Hope said the leaders will work to ensure that growth is accompanied by an emphasis on patient-centered care.
The organization’s expansion in Arizona and Georgia comes as cancer incidence continues to place pressure on healthcare systems. Increasing demand for oncology services requires not only additional clinical capacity but also access to specialized expertise, clinical research and supportive services.
City of Hope’s regional model is designed to connect community-based care with the resources of a larger national cancer organization. Patients can receive care closer to home while maintaining access to specialized programs and research opportunities.
In Atlanta, Childress will build on the organization’s growing presence in the region, including the Paces Ferry center and its connection to the Newnan hospital.
In Arizona, Sicaeros will lead an expanding network anchored by the Goodyear cancer hospital and supported by locations across the state, while also strengthening the organization’s partnership with TGen.
Together, the appointments position City of Hope to continue expanding its regional cancer care capabilities while advancing its broader mission of combining clinical care, research and innovation.
As cancer diagnoses continue to rise nationally and across Arizona and Georgia, City of Hope said its investment in experienced leadership is intended to help meet increasing demand for advanced oncology services. The organization expects Sicaeros and Childress to build on existing programs, expand access to specialized treatments and clinical trials, strengthen community partnerships and enhance the patient experience.
The appointments ultimately underscore City of Hope’s strategy of bringing advanced cancer care and research closer to patients while connecting regional centers to a national network of oncology expertise. Through leadership in Arizona and Atlanta, the organization aims to expand its clinical reach and create additional opportunities for patients to benefit from innovative cancer research, personalized treatment approaches and comprehensive support throughout their cancer journey.
About City of Hope
City of Hope’s mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.
City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines , as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by US News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work.
City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, Orange County, California, campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope™ .