Cell Therapeutics announced the appointment of Reed Tuckson, M.D., F.A.C.P., to its board as a Class I director. The company stated that Tuckson's appointment increases CTI's board to nine members, seven of whom are independent directors.

Tuckson is the Executive Vice President and Chief of Medical Affairs at UnitedHealth Group, the Minnesota-based Fortune 25 diversified health care company that employs over 87,000 people worldwide and serves more than 75 million Americans. Tuckson oversees the clinically-related programs of the company's six operating businesses and the work of over 10,000 clinically-related personnel.

Tuckson, as a member of the executive management team of UnitedHealth Group, has a variety of other leadership responsibilities, including those with the United Health Foundation, a not-for-profit, private foundation supported by UnitedHealth Group. Prior to his position at UnitedHealth Group, Tuckson served as Senior Vice President, Professional Standards, for the American Medical Association.

In addition to CTI, Tuckson serves on the board for the Alliance for Health Reform, the American Telemedicine Association, the National Patient Advocate Foundation, the Macy Foundation, Project Sunshine, and the Arnold Gold Foundation.