Ellen V. Sigal, PhD
Richard L. Schilsky, MD
The Reagan-Udall Foundation for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an independent nonprofit organization that works to advance regulatory science to help support the scientific mission of the FDA, has elected Ellen V. Sigal, PhD, as its new Chairman, and Richard L. Schilsky, MD, as Vice Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Dr. Sigal has served as Acting Board Chairman for the Reagan-Udall Foundation since 2015, and Dr. Schilsky has been a Board member since 2013. Both individuals bring decades of leadership and experience to these roles.
“The Reagan-Udall Foundation has been integral in developing multisector collaborations to advance the mission of the FDA,” said Robert Califf, MD, Commissioner of the FDA. “At a time when transformative scientific discoveries are being made at a rapid pace, it is more important than ever that the FDA have strong partners like the Reagan-Udall Foundation. I congratulate Ellen Sigal and Rich Schilsky—two truly extraordinary leaders, who have wisely been chosen by their peers to lead the Foundation during this key time.”
Dr. Sigal
Dr. Sigal is Chairperson and Founder of the Friends of Cancer Research (Friends), a cancer research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. During the past 20+ years, Dr. Sigal has held many leadership positions in research and advocacy, including serving on the Board of Governors of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Board of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, the Board of Advisors for the George Washington University’s Milken Institute of Public Health, and the Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel. She also serves in numerous other advisory and governance capacities for various cancer advocacy groups, public policy organizations, and academic health centers.
“The Reagan-Udall Foundation is uniquely positioned to strengthen the FDA’s essential role in supporting innovation and advancing public health. I am honored to have been selected as Chair of this exceptional organization,” said Dr. Sigal. “There are many important projects underway at the Foundation that are enhancing the mission of the FDA and many exciting opportunities on the horizon to advance regulatory science in a meaningful way and, ultimately, improve the lives of patients.”
Dr. Schilsky
Dr. Schilsky is Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of ASCO and a clinical oncologist and researcher. Dr. Schilsky has served in various ASCO leadership roles, including President, and held numerous appointments as a member of the faculty at the University of Chicago, where he served at various times as Director of the comprehensive cancer center, Chief of the Division of Hematology-Oncology, and Associate Dean for Clinical Research. He has also provided guidance to the National Cancer Institute and FDA on multiple research and advisory boards and currently serves on the editorial board of The New England Journal of Medicine.
“The Reagan-Udall Foundation has become an important mechanism for engaging a wide range of key stakeholders who are interested in supporting the FDA’s critical mission and advancing regulatory science,” said Dr. Schilsky. “I am honored to have been selected to serve the Foundation in this capacity.”■
