Researchers and Scientists Honored for Improving Cancer Prevention, Treatment, and Patient Care

The ASCO Special Awards recognize the dedication and significant contributions of researchers, patient advocates, and leaders of the global oncology community to enhancing cancer prevention, treatment, and patient care. Among this year’s awardees are an international leader in geriatric oncology and a hematologic oncologist whose work has improved patient care and the education of health-care providers in Honduras.

“This year’s Special Awards recipients have made outstanding contributions to the field of oncology, leading a global effort to transform cancer care and improve the lives of people living with cancer,” said Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, Immediate Past President of ASCO and Chair of the Special Awards Selection Committee. “It is our honor to recognize their innovation and dedication with the highest honors that ASCO awards every year.”

The 2015 Special Awards Honorees are:

David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture

First presented in 1970, the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture honors Dr. Karnofsky by recognizing an oncologist who has made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis, and/or treatment.

• Suzanne L. Topalian, MD, Professor of Surgery and Oncology, and Director of the Melanoma Program in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Science of Oncology Award and Lecture

Created in 2005, the Science of Oncology Award and Lecture is presented annually in recognition of a recipient’s outstanding contributions to basic or translational research in cancer.

• James P. Allison, PhD, Professor and Chair of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Immunology in the Division of Basic Science Research

ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture

First presented in 1993, the ASCO-ACS Award and Lecture recognizes significant contributions to cancer prevention and control, research, or practice.

• Ernest Hawk, MD, MPH, Vice President and Head of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Co-Leader of the Cancer Control Platform, Executive Director of the Duncan Family Institute for Cancer Prevention and Risk Assessment, and the Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair for Early Prevention of Cancer

B.J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology

Created in 2007 in honor of B.J. Kennedy, MD, this award and lectureship recognizes an ASCO member who has made outstanding contributions to the research, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in the elderly and in bringing an understanding of geriatric oncology to fellows and junior faculty.

• Silvio Monfardini, MD, Director of the Geriatric Oncology Program at Istituto Palazzolo, Fondazione Don Gnocchi, in Milan, Italy

Distinguished Achievement Award

Created in 2009, the Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes leadership or mentorship by a scientist, practitioner, or researcher in any subspecialty of oncology that has benefited ASCO members and/or their patients.

• George Bosl, MD, Chair of the Department of Medicine, Patrick M. Byrne Chair in Clinical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College

Excellence in Teaching Award

First awarded in 2014, the Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes an ASCO member who has had a demonstrable impact on their trainees and has inspired and shaped their students’ practice of cancer medicine.

• Dean F. Bajorin, MD, FACP, Attending Physician and Member at Memorial Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College

Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture

First presented in 2007 and named in honor of cancer research pioneer Gianni Bonadonna, MD, this award recognizes an active clinical and/or translational researcher with a distinguished record of accomplishments in advancing the field of breast cancer.

• Matthew Ellis, MD, PhD, Co-Leader for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Breast Project, Co-Principal Investigator for the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium, Director of the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, and Professor of Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine

Humanitarian Award

First presented in 2011, the Humanitarian Award recognizes an oncologist going above and beyond the call of duty, in providing outstanding patient care through innovative means, exceptional service, or leadership, in the United States or abroad.

• Jose Angel Sanchez, MD, Hematologic Oncologist at Hospital Escuela, University of Honduras

Partners in Progress Award

First awarded in 2003, the Partners in Progress Award recognizes a person involved in patient advocacy activities that impact public awareness about cancer, its causes, cures, or treatment, or activities that result in additional support either legislatively or fiscally for cancer research, treatment, prevention, or care.

• Mary Lou Smith, JD, MBA, Cofounder of the Research Advocacy Network (RAN), Co-Chair of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College of Radiology Imaging Network Cancer Research Advocate Committee, and member of the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors

Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture

First presented in 2002, the Pediatric Oncology Award recognizes the career and achievements of an individual who has contributed outstanding laboratory, clinical, or epidemiologic work of major importance to the field of pediatric oncology.

• Stephen E. Sallan, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and Pediatric Oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital

Special Recognition Award

Created in 1992, the Special Recognition Award honors achievements of an individual whose research and innovations have had a transforming and lasting effect in areas of clinical oncology, cancer research, clinical trials, and patient advocacy activities, or outstanding long-term service to ASCO and/or to clinical oncology.

• Archie Bleyer, MD, Clinical Research Professor at the Knight Cancer Institute of the Oregon Health & Science University

Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology

The Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) distinction recognizes ASCO members for their extraordinary volunteer service, dedication, and commitment to ASCO. Their efforts benefit ASCO, the specialty of oncology, and, most importantly, the patients they serve. The 2015 recipients of this distinction are:

• Kathy S. Albain, MD
• Craig Earle, MD
• Roscoe F. Morton, MD, FACP
• Lori J. Pierce, MD
• Lillian L. Siu, MD, FRCPC
• Eric J. Small, MD
• Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP

All of the awards listed above and the Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology will be presented at the 2015 ASCO Annual Meeting taking place in Chicago, May 29 to June 2, with the exception of the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture, which will be presented at the 2015 Breast Cancer Symposium, taking place September 25 to 27 in San Francisco.

The ASCO Special Awards acknowledges the generous support of the American Cancer Society for the ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture; the Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine and The John A. Hartford Foundation for the B.J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology; and GlaxoSmithKline Oncology for the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture. ■