ASCO to honor researchers, scientists at annual meeting

ASCO will recognize several researchers and scientists during the society’s annual meeting, scheduled for June 3-7 in Chicago.

“The exceptional accomplishments of each of our awardees reflect their exemplary dedication to furthering cancer research and serving as a beacon of hope to the cancer community,” Peter Paul Yu, MD, FACP, FASCO, immediate past president of ASCO and chair of the special awards selection committee, said in a press release. “It is our honor to recognize their enduring contributions with ASCO's most prestigious awards.”

Paul A. Bunn Jr., MD, professor of lung cancer at University of Colorado School of Medicine, will receive the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture, which recognizes an oncologist who has made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis and/or treatment.

William G. Kaelin Jr., MD, professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School and senior physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, will receive the Science of Oncology Award and Lecture, which recognizes outstanding contributions to basic or translational research in cancer.

Ethan Dmitrovsky, MD, provost and executive vice president of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, will receive the ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture, which recognizes significant contributions to cancer prevention and control research or practice.

Pierre Soubeyran, MD, PhD, will receive the B.J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology.

David H. Johnson, MD, chairman of the department of internal medicine at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award, which recognizes leadership or mentorship by a scientist, practitioner or researcher that has benefited ASCO members and their patients.

Philip C. Hoffman, MD, professor of medicine at University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, will receive the Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes and ASCO member who has had a demonstrable impact on their trainees, as well as inspired and shaped trainees’ practice of cancer medicine.

C. Kent Osborne, MD, director of the Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine, will receive the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture, which recognizes an active clinical and/or translational researcher with a distinguished record of accomplishments in advancing the field of breast cancer.

Quyen Chu, MD, MBA, FACS, chief of surgical oncology at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, will receive the Humanitarian Award, which recognizes an oncologist who personifies ASCO’s mission and values by going above and beyond the call of duty to provide outstanding patient care.

Susan G. Braun, MA, FASCO, who is CEO of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, will receive the Partners in Progress Award, which recognizes a person involved in patient advocacy who has increased public awareness about cancer and led to additional financial or legislative support for research, treatment, prevention or care.

Susan L. Cohn, MD, a pediatric oncologist at The University of Chicago, will receive the Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture, which recognizes the career and achievements of a person who contributed outstanding laboratory, clinical or epidemiologic scientific work of major importance to the field.

Waun Ki Hong, MD, FACP, DMSc (Hon), who has advocated for chemoprevention of epithelial cancers and emphasized the importance of personalized cancer therapy, will receive the Special Recognition Award, which honors a person whose research and innovations had a transforming and lasting effect in clinical oncology, cancer research, clinical trials or patient advocacy.

Several clinicians also will receive Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology distinction in recognition of their extraordinary volunteer service, dedication and commitment to ASCO. They are: Ethan M. Basch, MD, MSc; Susan L. Cohn, MD; Mary L. Disis, MD; Gini F. Fleming, MD; Jennifer J. Griggs, MD, MPH; Dawn L. Herman, MD; Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP; Joseph O. Jacobson, MD; Rogerio Lilenbaum, MD; David R. Spriggs, MD; Alan P. Venook, MD; Victor G. Vogel, MD, MHS; and Sandra L. Wong, MD, MS.