ASCO awards recognize outstanding contributions to cancer care

ASCO announced the recipients of several awards intended to honor researchers and other leaders in oncology who strive to transform cancer care.

“It is an honor to recognize the inspiring achievements of this year's awardees, and their dedication to conquering cancer,” Monica Bertagnolli, MD, FASCO, immediate past president of ASCO and chair of the society’s special awards selection committee, said in a press release.

George D. Demetri, MD, FASCO, received the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture, which recognizes an oncologist who has made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis or treatment.

Demetri is senior vice president for experimental therapeutics and director of the Sarcoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School; and co-director of the Ludwig Center at Harvard.

Pasi A. Jänne, MD, PhD, MMSc, received the Science of Oncology Award and Lecture, which recognizes outstanding contributions to basic or translational research in cancer.

Jänne is professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, as well as co-scientific director of the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, director of Lowe Center for Thoracic Oncology, and a member of the Executive Committee for Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

George W. Sledge Jr., MD, FASCO, received the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture, which recognizes a clinical or translational researcher with a distinguished record of accomplishments in advancing the field of breast cancer.

Sledge is professor and chief of the division of oncology at Stanford University Medical Center.

Timothy Rebbeck, PhD, received the ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture, which recognizes significant contributions to cancer prevention and control resaerch or practice.

Rebbeck is Vincent L. Gregory Jr. professor of cancer prevention at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He is founding director of the Zhu Family Center for Global Cancer Prevention at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and leads the cancer outreach and engagement activities for Dana-Farber Harvard Cancer Center.

Hyman B. Muss, MD, FASCO, received the Allen S. Lichter Visionary Leader Award and Lecture, which recognizes someone who has drastically changed the oncology field or who has made significant contributions to advance the mission of ASCO, CancerLinQ LLC or ASCO’s Conquer Cancer Foundation through his or her ability to lead and inspire.

Muss is Mary Jones Hudson distinguished professor of geriatric oncology at University of North Carolina School of Medicine, and director of the geriatric oncology program at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Program.

Robin Zon, MD, FACP, FASCO, received the Distinguished Achievement Award, which recognizes leadership or mentorship by a scientist, practitioner or researcher in any subspecialty of oncology that has benefited ASCO members or their patients.

Zon is president of Michiana Hematology Oncology and serves on the Trinity Oncology Excellence Committee.

Alice L. Yu, MD, PhD, received the Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture, which recognizes the career and achievements of an individual who has contributed outstanding scientific work of major importance to the field of pediatric oncology.

Yu is co-director of the Institute of Stem Cell & Translational Cancer Research at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou in Taiwan, as well as professor of pediatrics at University of California, San Diego.

Andrew E. Chapman, DO, FACP, received the B.J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology, which recognizes an ASCO member who made outstanding contributions to the research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in the elderly, and brought an understanding of geriatric oncology to fellows and junior faculty.

Chapman is professor of medical oncology in the department of medical oncology at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, and a clinical professor in Jefferson’s College of Nursing.

Anthony V. D’Amico, MD, PhD, received the Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes an ASCO member who has had a demonstrable impact on their trainees and who has inspired and shaped their trainees’ practice of cancer medicine.

D’Amico is Eleanor Theresa Walters distinguished chair and chief of genitourinary radiation oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, as well as advisory dean and chair of career advising and mentorship at Harvard Medical School.

Carlos Gil Moreira Ferreira, MD, PhD, received the Partners in Progress Award, which recognizes a person involved in patient advocacy activities that have an impact on public awareness about cancer.

Ferreira is chief scientific officer at Oncoclinicas, president of Oncoclinicas Institute and chair of the Oncoclinicas Medical Board in Brazil.

Gary W. Unzeitig, MD, FACS, received the Humanitarian Award, which recognizes an oncologist who personifies ASCO’s mission and values by going above and beyond the call of duty by providing outstanding patient care through innovative means, or exceptional service or leadership.

Unzeitig is a breast surgeon and principal investigator practicing in Laredo, Texas.

Betty R. Ferrell, PhD, MA, CHPN, FAAN, FPCN, received the Walther Cancer Foundation Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Endowed Award and Lecture, which recognizes a person who made significant and enduring contributions to palliative and supportive care in oncology.

Ferrell is director and professor of nursing research at City of Hope Medical Center and associate director of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dawn L. Hershman, MD, MS, FASCO, received the Hologic Inc. Endowed Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award.

Hershman is professor of medicine and epidemiology and leader of the breast cancer program at Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center at Columbia University Medical Center.

Lillian L. Siu, MD, FRCPC, FASCO, received the International Women Who Conquer Cancer Mentorship Award.

Siu is senior medical oncologist and clinician scientist in the cancer clinical research unit at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a professor of medicine at University of Toronto.