Covenant Health Names New Leader of Thompson Cancer Survival Center

Ben DeVore named President and Chief Administrative Officer of Thompson Cancer Survival Center

Knoxville, Tenn. – November 2023— Covenant Health is pleased to announce Ben DeVore as the president and chief administrative officer of Thompson Cancer Survival Center. He has served in the role in an interim capacity since Aug. 1, 2023.

As the chief administrative officer, DeVore is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of Covenant Health’s cancer program under the Thompson Cancer name. Prior to his new role, DeVore served as vice president of operations for Thompson Cancer Survival Center for more than two years. He oversaw clinical operations of Covenant Health’s oncology service line, including radiation oncology, medical oncology, the Thompson Comprehensive Breast Center, and PET imaging services.

With eight locations across East Tennessee, Thompson Cancer Survival Center provides comprehensive cancer treatment options including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, proton therapy, and clinical trials. Thompson also offers extensive patient support services such as nurse navigation, nutrition, and genetic counseling. The Thompson team is dedicated to providing patients with access to the highest quality care while ensuring they feel like a part of a community that cares for them as a person. Covenant Health’s oncology service line was recently listed as one of “100 Hospitals or Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs,” by Becker’s Hospital Review, which notes Covenant Health and Thompson Cancer as a top U.S. cancer care provider.

“Ben has a deep understanding of oncology services and brings a servant-minded and collaborative approach to leading the team,” said Jon-David Deeson, executive vice president of physician enterprise and ambulatory services for Covenant Health. “Ben established himself as a trusted teammate during his tenure as an operations leader at Thompson. His interim CAO role further validated this trust, especially among the physicians, Thompson leadership, and other senior leadership at Covenant Health.”

Deeson added, “Ben will continue to help us grow and expand services at Thompson Cancer Survival Center and the Thompson Proton Center. His leadership will be a key part of helping our Thompson team deliver on our mission to increase the number of cancer survivors in our community, as well as build upon a vision to be the first and best choice in cancer care throughout East Tennessee. We are excited to make this a permanent transition of growth for him as a leader at Thompson and look forward to his many contributions in the coming years.”

“Excellent cancer care requires seamless collaboration between highly complex specialties. Thompson Cancer has the advantage of being a part of the most comprehensive, integrated health system in our region,” DeVore says. “We want Thompson to be a place that is renowned for not only the innovative diagnostics and treatments we provide, but also the focus we place on each patient’s unique goals and personal circumstances; because that’s what we promise, to keep patients at the center of everything we do.”

He says that because his father worked as a medical oncologist, DeVore developed a deep personal appreciation for the complexity of cancer care. “My responsibility is to set our physicians and care teams up for success so that our patients can meet their treatment and personal goals. I focus on listening to our experts and incorporating and aligning their recommendations behind what’s in each patient’s best interest.” He adds, “The Thompson senior leadership team has over 200 combined years’ experience in oncology and many of our staff members have been serving patients at Thompson for well over 20 years. The expertise, heart, and passion of the Thompson team is our secret weapon.”

Prior to Thompson Cancer Survival Center, DeVore worked at Provision Healthcare where he held various leadership roles over nine years. These included vice president of administrative services for radiation oncology programs (including the proton therapy centers in Nashville and Knoxville), president of the Center for Biomedical Research, and president of diagnostic imaging.

DeVore received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he also earned his master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.

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About Thompson Cancer Survival Center

For more than 30 years, Thompson Cancer Survival Center has brought world-class cancer care to East Tennessee. Our expert physicians and multidisciplinary teams use the most advanced medical technologies to achieve breakthrough treatment successes. The cancer care providers employed by Thompson Oncology Group are also supported by a comprehensive team of specialists and staff, including dieticians, genetics counselors, physicists, pharmacists, therapists, technologists, oncology nurses, social workers, and more. And, Thompson Cancer Survival Center is a member of Covenant Health, our region’s largest healthcare delivery enterprise. Learn more at ThompsonCancer.com.

About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a Tennessee-based healthcare enterprise committed to providing the right care at the right time and place. As a not-for-profit health system, we are dedicated to being the region’s premier healthcare network through service, community and innovation. We provide patient-centered care that inspires clinical and service excellence and strive to be the first and best choice for our patients, employees, physicians, employers, volunteers and communities. Covenant Health is the area’s largest employer and has more than 11,000 compassionate caregivers, expert clinicians, and dedicated employees and volunteers. Learn more at CovenantHealth.com.