Women in Oncology honors ‘trailblazing force’: Edith P. Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP
Edith P. Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP, oncologist, researcher and health care and gender equity advocate, left a significant imprint on the field of oncology.
Mitchell, who died on Jan. 21 at the age of 76 years, is revered by many in the field as a trailblazer, fierce advocate for patients and pioneer in the work toward gender equity in medicine.
Source: Shikha Jain, MD, FACP
Her death was announced by American Cancer Society, ASCO and Thomas Jefferson University, where she was the director of the Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, professor of medicine and medical oncology, and the enterprise vice president for cancer disparities at Jefferson Health’s Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.
“Dr. Mitchell had a life full of accomplishments and trailblazing,” Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, FACC, chief executive officer of Jefferson Health, and Patricia D. Wellenbach, chair of Jefferson Health Board of Trustees, wrote in a Thomas Jefferson University statement. “Dr. Mitchell leaves a legacy of dedication and selflessness, and we will continue to honor her memory by continuing her work to eliminate health disparities.”
“Dr. Mitchell was a pioneer, a fierce advocate for patients and very outspoken on the need to intentionally work towards gender equity in health care,” Shikha Jain, MD, FACP, associate professor of medicine with tenure in the division of hematology/oncology at University of Illinois Cancer Center in Chicago and consulting editor for Healio Women in Oncology, told Healio. “To say she will be missed would be an understatement. The medical world lost a giant, but her legacy and her exceptional contributions to our field will live on.”
Mitchell, who served in the Armed Forces for 36 years, became the first female physician to attain the rank of brigadier general in the history of the United States Air Force, according to the Thomas Jefferson University statement.
“When Dr. Mitchell faced a roadblock in her career, she shattered expectations by entering flight school in her 40s as a mother raising teenagers,” Ashley L. Sumrall, MD, FACP, section chief of neuro-oncology at Levine Cancer Institute, associate professor of medicine for the internal medicine residency program and the hematology/oncology fellowship program at Atrium Health-Carolinas Medical Center, and a Healio Women in Oncology Peer Perspective board member, told Healio. “Dr. Mitchell will be remembered by generations as one who served as a fierce advocate for patients and wasn’t afraid to roll up her sleeves and work to improve cancer care delivery in our country.”
Mitchell was also an active ASCO volunteer and ASCO Humanitarian Award honoree recognized for her career-long dedication to humanitarian endeavors for underserved communities, including her research on access and participation in clinical trials. She received the Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship from American Association for Cancer Research, the Cancer Control Award from the American Cancer Society and the Lifetime Achievement Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha, according to an ASCO statement.
“Dr. Mitchell was a force in gastrointestinal oncology, a trailblazer and a voice for those underserved,” Lynn M. Schuchter, MD, FASCO, ASCO president, said in the statement. “Dr. Mitchell was an esteemed ASCO colleague and devoted health equity champion. Her legacy will continue to inspire us all.”
During her career span, Mitchell partnered with the American Cancer Society to develop and implement a health equity ambassador program to provide outreach and cancer education in local communities, according to an American Cancer Society statement.
“Dr. Mitchell was one of a kind,” Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, PhD, CEO of American Cancer Society, said in the statement. “Through her unique lens as a passionate medical oncologist, and as a service-minded, retired military officer, she saw cancer as the enemy and developed tactical plans to make a difference in the lives of patients. She was an unquestioned pioneer in understanding that to win the battle against cancer, biology is not the only enemy — and commenced directly addressing the social determinants of health that too frequently impede survival.”
As the 116th president of the National Medical Association, Mitchell also served on the President’s Cancer Panel and NCI’s Blue Ribbon Panel to advise the National Cancer Advisory Board on the Cancer Moonshot.
“Dr. Edith Mitchell inspired in so many ways. Her professional journey was marked by a commitment to what’s right — her north stars,” Ishwaria M. Subbiah, MD, MS, executive director for cancer care equity and professional wellness at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, and a Healio Women in Oncology Peer Perspective board member, told Healio. “Where others may take on small challenges for small wins, Dr. Mitchell went for the big challenges, mobilizing us all toward closing disparities in cancer care and representation in our health care workforce.”
References:
- American Cancer Society and ACS CAN honors the legacy of cancer oncologist and advocate Edith Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP (press release). Available at: https://pressroom.cancer.org/releases?item=1296. Published Jan. 22, 2024. Accessed Jan. 26, 2024.
- ASCO remembers Humanitarian and Health Equity Champion Dr. Edith P. Mitchell (press release). Available at: https://connection.asco.org/magazine/asco-member-news/asco-remembers-humanitarian-and-health-equity-champion-dr-edith-p-mitchell. Published Jan. 22, 2024. Accessed Jan. 26, 2024.
- Jefferson’s Chief Executive Officer Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, FACC, and Patricia D. Wellenbach, Chair, Jefferson's Board of Trustees, issue statement on the passing of Edith P. Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP (press release). Available at: https://www.jefferson.edu/about/news-and-events/2024/01/statement-on-the-passing-of-edith-p-mitchell.html. Published Jan. 22, 2024. Accessed Jan. 26, 2024.
- Jefferson Health’s Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center names vice president for cancer disparities (press release). Available at: https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20230316/jefferson-healths-sidney-kimmel-cancer-center-names-vice-president-for-cancer-disparities. Published March 18, 2023. Accessed Jan. 26, 2024.