Joel Helmke, M.S.H.P., FACHE, has served as chief executive officer of OHSU Knight Cancer Group since March 16, 2026. 

With 30 years of leadership experience at several of the top cancer centers in the country, Mr. Helmke is known for his ability to drive turnaround and efficiencies in clinical operations, growth and market strategy, capacity management, patient access and volumes, revenue models, and cancer institute structure and governance.  

Mr. Helmke joins OHSU from Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Health System in Philadelphia, where he has served as chief operating officer of cancer services since 2021, overseeing daily operations of the National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, as well as the development of Temple’s oncology strategy. 

At Fox Chase, Mr. Helmke held budget responsibility and operational accountability for cancer services on Temple’s five hospital campuses, driving growth in patient volumes, enhancing the patient experience, overseeing the expansion of cancer care throughout the region, leading capital improvements to facilities and contributing to its overall financial success. 

Prior to his time at Fox Chase, Mr. Helmke was senior vice president of clinical operations at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center and 32-site cancer network. While there, Mr. Helmke helped lead planning for Hope Plaza Outpatient Center, and co-led programming and design for several new facilities, including its Orange County campus, ambulatory imaging facility and patient hotel. He also helped plan for an increase in both standard, approved and experimental CAR-T therapies, facilitating capacity planning, pathology workflows, staff training and financial clearance. 

Before joining City of Hope, Mr. Helmke served as system vice president for WellStar Cancer Network, an affiliate of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, in Marietta, Georgia. While there, he completed a revamp of the oncology service line governance structure and led efforts for investment in oncology nurse navigation, psycho-oncology, genetic counseling, nutrition and integrative medicine. 

Mr. Helmke built his early career in Texas, culminating in 14 years at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he held increasing levels of responsibility, culminating as executive director and division administrator of internal medicine in 2014. At MD Anderson, he led eight clinical centers and nine academic departments and spearheaded an effort to better manage the patient experience. 

In 2013, Mr. Helmke received the Allen G. Herkimer Jr. Outstanding Healthcare Administration Alumni Award from Texas State University, and in 2026, he was honored with the Marsha Fountain Award for Excellence in Oncology Administration from the Association of Cancer Executives. 

He holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Texas State University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Houston. In addition to his extensive professional experience, Mr. Helmke served as board chair on the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers, is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a Six Sigma Executive Champion, and served on the board of the Association of Cancer Executives.