Dr. Philip A. Philip is a medical oncologist specializing in gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine tumors. He is a senior staff member at Henry Ford Health, practicing at both the Downtown Detroit and Novi campuses, and a Professor of Oncology and Pharmacology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Dr. Philip’s journey into medicine began in Baghdad, where he attended the American Jesuit-run Baghdad College, known for its rigorous emphasis on science. Though initially drawn to electrical engineering, he followed many of his peers into medicine and earned his medical degree from the University of Baghdad. He then moved to the United Kingdom, where he completed a Ph.D. in Clinical Pharmacology at Guy’s Hospital/University of London and received advanced oncology training at Oxford. His training later continued at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Board-certified in Medical Oncology and a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (UK), Dr. Philip is licensed to practice on both sides of the Atlantic. His transition from the UK’s National Health Service to the U.S. healthcare system gave him a unique perspective on healthcare economics and delivery.
In 1995, Dr. Philip joined Wayne State University as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and became an attending physician at the newly formed Karmanos Cancer Institute. In 2022, he transitioned to Henry Ford Health while continuing his academic role as a tenured professor at Wayne State.
Dr. Philip’s clinical and research work is centered on a multidisciplinary approach to gastrointestinal and neuroendocrine cancers, with a deep focus on translational research in pancreatic cancer. He has led numerous Phase I–III clinical trials and authored over 300 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and editorials. He is also the co-editor of two books on gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers. As Chair of the GI Cancer Committee for the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), Dr. Philip plays a national leadership role in shaping GI cancer NCI-supported clinical trials and mentoring early-career faculty across the country.
A dedicated educator and advocate for innovation, Dr. Philip is passionate about supporting young physicians and giving back to the oncology community. This commitment is what drew him to join the MSHO Board, where he values the opportunity to contribute alongside a vibrant and collaborative team. Throughout his career in academic medicine, he has maintained that oncology is a lifelong intellectual pursuit, whether practiced in a solo setting or a large academic center—fueled by curiosity, observation, and continuous learning. Dr. Philip serves on the scientific advisory boards of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) and Sky Foundation, reflecting his commitment to advancing cancer research and patient advocacy. He is a frequently invited speaker at regional, national, and international conferences.
Outside of his professional work, Dr. Philip enjoys traveling, reading, classical music, and movies. He speaks Armenian and Arabic fluently and values the richness of cultural diversity - a perspective shaped by his life across three continents. He also has an unexpected background in shoemaking, a skill he learned during his youth in Baghdad, which instilled in him early lessons in discipline and craftsmanship.
Dr. Philip lives in Farmington Hills with his wife, Viva Ohanian. They have two daughters, both graduates of the University of Michigan. Carolyn works for a fintech startup in New York, while Celene is currently a medical student at Wayne State University. Though he sometimes misses the energy of London, Dr. Philip has found a true home in Michigan, where he has lived for over 30 years.