513 Goodnight

This interview is with James E. Goodnight Jr., Professor Emeritus and Chair Emeritus of Surgery.  He was appointed in 1980 and retired in 2015. 

Jim’s clinical interest is in surgical oncology where he is well-recognized as a compassionate and dedicated clinician and a skilled leader. He was the founding director of the UC Davis Cancer Center, Chair of the Department of Surgery for 12 years (1996-2008) and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs for 8 years.  During his tenure as the Chair of Surgery, the department faculty dramatically increased in size, depth, and academic impact.  As Associate Dean, he was responsible for designing the structure, rules, responsibilities, funding needs and physician medical practice goals for UC Davis. As a surgeon, Jim specialized in treating malignant melanoma, breast cancer, pelvic tumors, and bone and soft tissue cancers.  He is nationally recognized for the use and refinement of limb sparing procedures for treating sarcoma.  As a researcher, he focused on early cancer detection, advancing minimally invasive surgical procedures, improving cancer patient survival and reducing disparities in cancer treatment.