David King Community Clinical Scientist Award

The David King Community Clinical Scientist Award recognizes active community clinical research leaders. Award winners have demonstrated leadership in the development, participation, and evaluation of clinical studies and/or are active in the development of new screening, risk assessment, treatment, or supportive care programs for cancer patients.

This prestigious award is named after David K. King, MD, FACP, an ACCC past president, who passed away after a brief battle with cancer. Dr. King spent his entire career caring for individuals with cancer and advocating for access to quality care, while also championing the Community Clinical Oncology Program and the value of clinical research in the community setting..

Dr. J. Thaddeus Beck, MD, FACP, is dedicated to advancing research in the field of oncology, particularly through his efforts to bring cutting-edge clinical research, including Phase I clinical trials, into the community setting. Dr. Beck has spearheaded numerous initiatives to ensure that patients in geographically isolated areas have access to the latest advancements in cancer treatment. His work began with establishing a robust clinical trials program at Highlands Oncology, initially focusing on cooperative group trials and gradually expanding to include industry-sponsored studies. This research program has grown significantly under his leadership, providing patients with early access to innovative therapies that would otherwise be unavailable outside of major academic centers. Dr. Beck's commitment to community-based clinical research has not only improved the quality of care for his patients but also contributed to the broader oncology community. By integrating Phase I clinical trials into the community setting, he has enabled more diverse patient populations to participate in groundbreaking research, thereby improving the generalizability of clinical trial results. His efforts have been instrumental in developing new screening, risk assessment, treatment, and supportive care programs tailored to the needs of community cancer patients.

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