Dr Jackson will slightly reduce his clinical workload to take the role. ''The Cancer Society is a leading body in the cancer sector and has an outstanding track record of leadership in research, and in supportive care for patients and their families.
''By taking on the medical director position, I look forward to building on the society's long history of leadership and excellence. I am looking forward to being a part of the team,'' he said.
Dr Jackson has taken a prominent role in the bowel cancer screening debate, and was clinical lead for the bowel cancer Piper project. Released last week, it revealed New Zealand was lagging in early detection and early treatment of the deadly cancer.
Otago Southland Cancer Society chief executive Mike Kernaghan said Dr Jackson was a ''rock star'' of medical oncology in New Zealand, and the appointment of a local clinician to the national role was exciting.
The medical director steered the society when it needed to make evidence based decisions, he said. Dr Jackson is a consultant medical oncologist for the Southern Blood and Cancer Service, and is a senior lecturer at the University of Otago.
He is also chairman of the South Island Bowel Cancer working group, chairman of the Colorectal Cancer Tumour Standards working group, and a member of the National Bowel Cancer Work group. Dr Jackson replaces Associate Prof Christopher Atkinson, of Christchurch.
