Joseph A. Califano III

Last Updated: June 16, 2026 1:16:24 PM PDT

Director, Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center at Moores Cancer Center; Co-Leader, Structural and Functional Genomics, Moores Cancer Center; Iris and Matthew Strauss Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Surgery; Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Joseph A. Califano III sees fostering donor stewardship as a vital extension of his clinical mission and his role as the director of the Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. An esteemed academic leader, Dr. Califano holds the Iris and Matthew Strauss Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Head and Neck Surgery, and since joining the faculty in 2015, he has revolutionized the use of molecular research and sequencing technologies to detect cancers earlier and improve survival.

Dr. Califano consistently connects his clinical vision and commitment to transparency to the importance of organizational gratitude. His roles as clinician, researcher and leader make him uniquely equipped to draw a direct line from donor generosity to tangible patient outcomes, clinical excellence and long-term programmatic sustainability. He understands the significance of linking each gift to measurable improvements in patient care, research innovation and expanded services.

To Dr. Califano, every gift is an opportunity to connect people with causes that align with their personal values, and he intentionally builds meaningful relationships with supporters and foster deep, reliable engagement. His commitment to developing and maintaining thoughtful, highly individualized communication with donors and grateful patients deepens their confidence at every level. He ensures supporters are personally invested in the impact of their gift and that those resources are used effectively to make a meaningful difference.

Dr. Califano’s impact is most visible in his stewardship of a $12 million gift, which resulted in the naming of the Hanna and Mark Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center. Recognizing that transformational gifts are milestones in a larger shared vision, he has nurtured a multiyear relationship with the Gleiberman family, ensuring their passion for the program remains central to its growth. His dedication and consideration spurred additional transformational gifts across UC San Diego Health Sciences and proved that thoughtful stewardship can boost giving and amplify impact.Driven by a deep sense of responsibility toward his patients and the community, Dr. Califano aligns donor purpose with institutional needs and priorities. As such, he has become a model for how faculty leadership can successfully champion philanthropic partnerships with dedication and integrity — by defining success as the ability to inspire a community of supporters in addition to surgical precision. His ability to bridge the gap between complex medical innovation and the desire to give back has made him an invaluable asset to UC San Diego.