ASTRO elects four new officers
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Members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology elected four new officers to the organization’s board of directors.
Geraldine Jacobson, MD, MPH, MBA, FASTRO, has been elected president-elect. Her 1-year term will begin in October. She then will serve 1-year terms as ASTRO president, board chair and immediate past chair.
Her priorities will include addressing diversity and racial justice within the oncology workforce, patient health equity and the effects of COVID-19 on cancer care.
Jacobson is founding chair and professor of radiation oncology at West Virginia University, as well as physician in chief for radiation oncology for West Virginia University Hospital System. Jacobson, who is recognized for her expertise in radiation therapy for breast and gynecologic cancers, previously helped lead radiation oncology and residency programs at University of Iowa.
“[Although] we are in an age of unprecedented scientific discovery and progress in radiation oncology, there are also enormous challenges facing our specialty and our world,” Jacobson said in a society-issued press release. “I am committed to listening to, and learning from, all of our members to identify thoughtful steps to foster diversity and inclusion, advance clinical care, support research and innovation, and influence health policy decisions. As ASTRO evolves to include more perspectives, I believe that working together will ensure that our specialty remains strong and provides our patients with the best possible care.”
Society members elected Gopal K. Bajaj, MD, MBA, as government relations council vice chair; Beth Erickson, MD, FASTRO, as education council vice chair; and Eric Ford, PhD, as clinical affairs and quality council vice chair. Each will serve a 2-year term as vice chair, followed by a 2-year term as chair of their respective councils.
Bajaj is chairman of the department of advanced radiation oncology and proton therapy at The Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia. He also holds faculty appointments with University of Maryland Medical System and Virginia Commonwealth University.
Erickson is chief of brachytherapy services and professor of radiation oncology at Medical College of Wisconsin. She treats patients at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center.
Ford is interim director, vice chair and professor of physics at University of Washington.
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