The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO (CCF) is proud to recognize the recipients of its 2017 CCF Merit Awards and its Diversity Awards, which include the Medical Student Rotation Award for Underrepresented Populations and the Resident Travel Award for Underrepresented Populations. Geared toward supporting the work and interest of young researchers and medical professionals, these awards demonstrate the Foundation’s commitment to encouraging new and diverse perspectives in the field of cancer care.
As described in the ASCO Strategic Plan for Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Oncology Workforce (visit ASCO.org, to view the Strategic Plan), the Diversity Awards are essential to developing an oncology workforce that is culturally competent and equipped to care for a diverse population of people with cancer. Both the Medical Student Rotation Award for Underrepresented Populations and the Resident Travel Award for Underrepresented Populations aid those from diverse backgrounds in exploring potential careers in the field of oncology.
“The Medical Student Rotation Award and the Resident Travel Award represent the importance of diversity in ensuring inclusive care and new, innovative ideas,” said Thomas G. Roberts, Jr, MD, Chair of the Conquer Cancer Foundation Board of Directors. “A diverse oncology workforce is vital to improving quality cancer care, and the Foundation is proud to provide resources to underrepresented populations to increase diversity in the cancer care continuum.”
The Medical Student Rotation Award for Underrepresented Populations provides clinical rotations for U.S. medical students from underrepresented populations in medicine who are interested in a career in oncology and pairs them with an oncology mentor.
The 2017 recipients are:
- Gerard Holder, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Katia Perez, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
- Maria Torres, Mayo Clinic
The Resident Travel Award for Underrepresented Populations provides funding for residents from underrepresented populations to attend the 2017 ASCO Annual Meeting, where recipients will get the chance to network with oncologists, attend educational sessions, and develop a deeper understanding of the oncology field.
The 2017 recipients are:
- Betty Abban, MD, Meharry Medical College
- Abiodun Adefurin, MBBS, Meharry Medical College
- Susanna Awoyode, MBBS, MS, Meharry Medical College
- Oumoul Barry, MD, Mercy Medical Center
- Eden Biltibo, MD, Meharry Medical College
- Frederick Doamekpor, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine
- Lionel Aurelien Kankeu Fonkoua, MD, Penn State College of Medicine
- Victoria Lopez, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine
- Nkem Nweze, MD, Einstein Medical Center
- Maureen Offiah, MD, University of Mississippi
- Emififen Udejiofor, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine
