Association of Community Cancer Centers Honors Three Distinguished Oncology Leaders

Rockville, MD—The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) presented three national awards on October 17 and 18 at its 35th National Oncology Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Each year ACCC confers special recognition to members of the oncology community who have distinguished themselves in service to patients, the community, the profession, and the Association.

This year the Annual Achievement Award was presented to Otis Webb Brawley, MD, MACP, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer; Executive Vice President, Research, American Cancer Society.

The Annual Achievement Award has been given since 1980 to eminent individuals or organizations that have reflected the values of community cancer care through their outstanding contributions.

Dr. Brawley is an acknowledged global leader in the field of cancer prevention and control. As the chief medical and scientific officer and executive vice president of the American Cancer Society, he is responsible for promoting the goals of cancer prevention, early detection, and quality treatment through cancer research and education. He champions efforts to decrease smoking, improve diet, and provide the critical support cancer patients need. He also guides efforts to enhance and focus the nation’s cancer research program, upgrade the Society’s advocacy capacity, and concentrate community cancer control efforts in areas where they will be most effective.

“Over my career I have tried to promote good healthcare and reducing disparities in health. It is a true honor and privilege to be acknowledged by ACCC at its 35^th National Oncology Conference,” said Dr. Brawley.  “ACCC is an organization that has done much to promote good healthcare and reduce disparities.  I truly admire ACCC and its leadership and thank them for this award.”

The Clinical Research Award was presented to Patricia A. Ganz, MD, Director, Cancer Prevention and Control Research at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and a medical oncologist at the UCLA School of Medicine.

The Clinical Research Award is given annually to an individual whose research has significantly and positively impacted the oncology patient, family, or community.

In 1999, Dr. Ganz was awarded an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professorship for “Enhancing Patient Outcomes Across the Cancer Control Continuum,” and in 2007, she was elected to the Institute of Medicine, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, (now known as the National Academy of Medicine, U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine).

A recipient of the Susan G. Komen Foundation Professor of Survivorship Award, Dr. Ganz is a pioneer in the assessment of quality of life in cancer patients and survivors and is active in clinical trials research with the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), focusing much of her clinical and research efforts in the areas of breast cancer and its prevention. Her other major areas of research include cancer survivorship and late effects of cancer treatment, cancer in the elderly, and quality of care for cancer patients.

“It was a great honor to be selected by the ACCC for the Clinical Research Award. It has always been important for me to make sure that my research results are returned to the community of patients and their clinicians. This recognition suggests I have accomplished this goal,” said Dr. Ganz in accepting the award.

The David King Community Clinical Scientist Award was awarded to James L. Wade III, MD, FACP, FASCO, Medical Oncologist and Founder, Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois.

The David King Community Clinical Scientist Award recognizes active community clinical research leaders. Award recipients 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.

Dr. Wade is an active leader in cancer research and works as both a committee chair and a board member of several NCI-sponsored national and international research organizations.

Dr. Wade developed the Cancer Care Specialists of Illinois (CCSI) into the largest interdisciplinary oncology hematology practice in Illinois outside of Chicago. CCSI—and its 20 board-certified physicians—is nationally recognized as an outstanding cancer care practice and recipient of Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) Certification from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. An associate professor of clinical medicine, Dr. Wade also teaches and mentors young physicians at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University in Chicago.

In accepting the award Dr. Wade remarked, “The David King Award is a great honor. David was a good friend. He was a strong advocate for cancer clinical trials in the community. I consider this an award to our team. It really reflects the work that everyone has done to make this successful. It is only through clinical trials, and clinical trials where real people live, in communities like ours, that we’ll find the answers. So that’s why we do what we do. To find answers.”

Hundreds of multidisciplinary oncology professionals gathered at the 35th ACCC National Oncology Conference to discuss exciting and innovative strategies to transform cancer care and program performance. Highlights are available here.