The Minnesota Society of Clinical Oncology (MSCO) is the recipient of the 2024 Jeffery C. Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award. The Association for Clinical Oncology presented the award during the State Affiliates’ Reception at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. Presented annually, the Jeffery C. Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award recognizes state affiliates that demonstrate outstanding collaboration with ASCO to advance shared advocacy priorities at both the state and federal levels.
In 2024, MSCO made advocacy visibility a top priority, successfully placing multiple perspectives on key issues such as prior authorization and telehealth. The society remained consistently engaged by taking action through ASCO’s ACT Network—a tool that helps connect ASCO members with their lawmakers—and signing on to multiple advocacy letters throughout the year. MSCO’s commitment exemplifies what it means to be a leader in advancing the advocacy priorities of both ASCO and the state society.
This year’s runner-up was the Maryland/DC Society of Clinical Oncology (MDCSCO), and the Washington State Medical Oncology Society (WSMOS) received an honorable mention. In 2024, MDCSCO demonstrated a strong commitment to advocacy by testifying on state legislation, participating in the Advocacy Summit, signing multiple letters, and activating its members through the ACT Network. WSMOS also continued its advocacy leadership, with a board member testifying on step-therapy legislation, initiating multiple sign-on letter endorsements, and encouraging member participation in ASCO’s Advocacy Summit.
ASCO thanks all state affiliates for their partnership and dedication to advocating for high-quality, patient-centered cancer care.
The Jeffery C. Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award honors the legacy of Dr. Jeffery C. Ward, a former President and board member of WSMOS, who played a key role in establishing ASCO’s State Affiliate Council in 2012.
Want to get more involved with your state affiliate? Find your state affiliate at https://www.asco.org/get-involved/advocacy/state-regional-affiliates or connect via the State Society Network at https://myconnection.asco.org/communities/community-home. Examples of successful advocacy collaboration include encouraging members to take action through the ACT Network, signing on to advocacy letters, amplifying ASCO messaging on social media, and hosting ASCO advocacy speakers at state meetings.
