Cancer organizations ‘enthusiastically endorse’ Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, as NCI director
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President Joe Biden has chosen surgical oncologist Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, FACS, FASCO, to serve as director of the National Cancer Institute.
Bertagnolli will become the first woman to serve in this role.
The nomination won praise from leaders of several cancer organizations, including ASCO, American Association for Cancer Research and American Cancer Society.
“Dr. Bertagnolli brings impressive qualifications to this vital position, including her background as a top-tier physician-scientist and much-admired professor,” Margaret Foti, PhD, MD (hc), CEO of AACR, said in a press release. “Her appreciation for the value and importance of basic research to advancing translational discoveries, as well as her commitment to ensuring that such treatment innovations reach patients in all populations across the United States, will ensure that the NCI continues to lead the way in programs aimed at improving health, preventing cancer and reducing the incidence and mortality from this devastating disease.”
Bertagnolli is Richard E. Wilson professor of surgery in the field of surgical oncology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the gastrointestinal cancer and sarcoma disease centers at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. She specializes in the research and treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies, according to an AACR press release. In addition, Bertagnolli serves as group chair of the NCI-funded Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
“An accomplished cancer surgeon and researcher with deep expertise in community-based cancer research, Dr. Bertagnolli has the knowledge, passion and skill set to successfully lead the nation’s top federal cancer research agency and the wider U.S. cancer research enterprise,” Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO, CEO of ASCO, said in a statement. “We enthusiastically endorse her selection, recognizing Dr. Bertagnolli’s distinguished leadership and experience in advancing evidence-based cancer care and research.”
Bertagnolli served as ASCO president for the 2018-2019 term.
“During her presidential year, she continually highlighted the need for oncologists to learn from every single patient with cancer, including through clinical research and the application of real-world data and real-world evidence,” Hudis said in the statement. “She also spearheaded efforts to increase access to equitable cancer care in rural areas, challenging the status quo and working to remove barriers to patient participation in clinical research, like geographic distance and lack of coverage for routine care costs associated with participating in trials.”
A press release from American Cancer Society stated that Bertagnolli, who serves on the organization’s board of directors, “could not be a better choice to lead NCI.”
“Dr. Bertagnolli is an exceptional surgical oncologist, innovative scientist and leader who has a strong track record of transforming organizations to effect positive change,” Karen E. Knudsen, PhD, MBA, CEO of American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), said in the press release. “She is also a fierce advocate for addressing health care disparities, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Through her work with ACS, she has been instrumental in ACS CAN’s work on Medicaid expansion.”
Bertagnolli will succeed former NCI Director Norman E. “Ned” Sharpless, MD, who stepped down from the position in April after nearly 5 years. Since then, NCI Principal Deputy Director Douglas R. Lowy, MD, has served as acting director of the agency.
References:
AACR congratulates Dr. Monica Bertagnolli on nomination as NCI director (press release). Published July 21, 2022.
American Cancer Society and ACS CAN applaud selection of newly named National Cancer Institute director (press release). Published July 22, 2022.
ASCO endorses President Biden’s pick of ASCO past president Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli as incoming head of National Cancer Institute (press release). Available at: www.asco.org/about-asco/press-center/news-releases/asco-endorses-president-biden%E2%80%99s-pick-asco-past-president-dr. Published July 21, 2022. Accessed July 22, 2022.
STAT. Biden picks renowned cancer surgeon Monica Bertagnolli as NCI chief. Available at: www.statnews.com/2022/07/21/biden-picks-renowned-cancer-surgeon-monica-bertagnolli-as-nci-chief/. Published July 21, 2022. Accessed July 22, 2022.