Leaders in cancer care will be recognized as part of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Special Awards Program at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting. The Special Awards recognize the dedication and significant contributions of researchers, patient advocates, and leaders of the global oncology community to enhancing cancer care and improving the lives of people living with cancer.
“The recipients of this year’s awards are striving to connect science and society, leading a global approach to the treatment and quality of life for people living with cancer,” said Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP, Immediate Past President of ASCO and Chair of the Special Awards Selection Committee. “It is our honor to bestow these awards upon them.”
The 2014 Special Awards Honorees are:
David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture
H.M. (Bob) Pinedo, MD, PhD
Dr. Pinedo is Professor Emeritus of the VU University Medical Center (VUmc) and a consultant to the Board of the VUmc Cancer Center Amsterdam, Netherlands. He has served as a founder of the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine in Eindhoven, Netherlands (2006), and as President of the European Society of Medical Oncology (1987–1989).
Science of Oncology Award and Lecture
Harald zur Hausen, MD
Dr. zur Hausen is a virologist and cancer researcher who discovered the important role that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays in cervical cancer. His groundbreaking research in the 1970s and 1980s paved the way for the development of the HPV vaccine in 2006 and he received a Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2008 for this achievement.
ASCO-American Cancer Society Award and Lecture
Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH
Dr. Colditz is the Niess-Gain Professor of Surgery and Professor of Medicine; Chief of the Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery; and Deputy Director, Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis.
B.J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology
Stuart M. Lichtman, MD, FACP, FASCO
Dr. Lichtman is an attending physician at Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, a member of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and its 65+ Clinical Geriatric Group, and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He is also actively involved with the Cancer and Leukemia Group B and the Elderly Task Force of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, Cancer and Aging Research Group, and Editorial Board of the Journal of Geriatric Oncology.
Distinguished Achievement Award
Jaime de la Garza, MD
Dr. de la Garza is the Executive Secretary of the Science Advisory Council for the President of the Mexican Republic as well as a clinical research investigator at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología in Tlalpan, Mexico.
Excellence in Teaching Award
Michael H. Levy, MD, PhD
Dr. Levy is Professor and Vice-Chair of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Medical Director of Payer Relations at Fox Chase, and a Professor of Medicine at Temple University School of Medicine.
Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture
Aron Goldhirsch, MD
Dr. Goldhirsch serves as Director of the Multidisciplinary Program of Senology and Deputy Scientific Director at the European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. He is also Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Bern, Switzerland.
Humanitarian Award
Surendra S. Shastri, MBBS, MD, DPh, DHA
Dr. Shastri has served as Professor and Head of the Department of Preventive Oncology at Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai, India, since 1997. Dr. Shastri also heads the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Early Detection and often serves on their expert panels for cancer and noncommunicable diseases.
Partners in Progress Award
Michael S. Katz, MBA
Mr. Katz is Vice President of the International Myeloma Foundation. He has served as Chairman of the Patient Representatives Committee at the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, the National Cancer Institute’s Director’s Consumer Liaison Group, and the Association of Cancer Online Resources.
Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture
Leslie L. Robison, PhD
Dr. Robison is the Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control at St. Jude Comprehensive Cancer Center and Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Cancer Control at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Public Service Award
Congressman John Carney
Rep. Carney serves as Delaware’s representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is a member of the Advisory Committee and the former Chair of the Disparities Committee of the Delaware Cancer Consortium, and has also worked on the national level to address prescription drug shortages by proposing several reforms in the Prescription Drug User Fee Authorization.
Special Recognition Award
James O. Armitage, MD
Dr. Armitage is the Joe Shapiro Professor of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Past President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Armitage developed and directed the bone marrow transplant programs at the University of Iowa and later at the University of Nebraska.
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:
- Jonathan S. Berek, MD, MMS
- Dean E. Brenner, MD
- Gary I. Cohen, MD
- Leon H. Dragon, MD, FACP
- Lee M. Ellis, MD
- Daniel F. Hayes, MD
- Michael P. Kosty, MD, FACP
- Neal J. Meropol, MD
- Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH
- Julie M. Vose, MD, MBA
- Peter P. Yu, MD
- Robin T. Zon, MD, FACP
All of the awards listed above and the Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology will be presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting taking place in Chicago, May 30 to June 3 at McCormick Place, with the exception of the Public Service Award, which will be presented at a private event, and the Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture, which will be presented at the 2014 Breast Cancer Symposium, taking place September 4 to 6 in San Francisco, California.
For a list of the specific dates and room locations of the awards presentations, please contact Amy Thompson, amy.thompson@asco.org. ■
© 2014. American Society of Clinical Oncology. All rights reserved.
