Dr. James K.V. Willson joined UT Southwestern in 2004 and served as the Director of the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center until February 2016. Dr. Willson led UT Southwestern's efforts to have the Simmons Cancer Center recognized with Comprehensive status from the National Cancer Institute, its highest designation. In March 2016, Dr. Willson was named the Chief Scientific Officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), at which time he left his role as Director of the Simmons Cancer Center.