Dr. Kurt W. Tauer is a founding physician and Chairman Emeritus of West Cancer Center & Research Institute, where he has played a central role in shaping oncology care in the Mid-South for nearly four decades. After completing his fellowship in medical oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Tauer joined what was then a small oncology practice in Memphis in 1985, partnering with Drs. William H. West and Lee Schwartzberg to help establish what would become West Cancer Center.
Under his leadership, the organization grew into one of the region’s most comprehensive oncology networks, integrating clinical excellence, research, and community-based care. Dr. Tauer’s commitment to treating patients regardless of ability to pay laid the groundwork for West Cancer Center’s Community Outreach Program, which focuses on cancer education, prevention, screening, and early detection in underserved populations throughout the Memphis area.
A board-certified internist and medical oncologist, Dr. Tauer’s clinical expertise includes lung, breast, prostate, gastrointestinal and melanoma cancers. He has contributed to national standards of care through service on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Panel for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, helping guide evidence-based treatment recommendations used worldwide.
Dr. Tauer completed his internal medicine residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital and earned his medical degree from Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He has been recognized repeatedly for clinical excellence and leadership, including designation as a Top Doctor by Memphis Magazine. Through his vision, mentorship, and patient-centered approach, Dr. Tauer has left an enduring mark on oncology care in Memphis and beyond.
