Islander Saul Rivkin, M.D., a medical oncologist, as well as founder and board chair of the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, will retire from his clinical practice at Swedish Cancer Institute on July 1.

Dr. Rivkin is best known for his committed, tenacious approach to fighting cancer and the personal connection he has established with the thousands of patients he has cared for over the years.

“Saul’s influence in developing the fundamental, on-going philosophy of personalized cancer care at Swedish is profound,” said Thomas Brown, M.D., executive director of the Swedish Cancer Institute. “For Saul, and everyone at Swedish, involvement with leading-edge clinical research is synonymous with the best possible care delivery.”

The highly respected and revered physician is 77 years old and has five daughters and seven grandchildren.

In 1993, Dr. Rivkin’s wife, Marsha, died from ovarian cancer.

“Finding a cure for ovarian cancer is my dream, and I will continue to work towards that goal for as long as I am on this earth,” Rivkin said. “I am forever grateful to those who have supported me on this journey.”