Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Welcomes Four New Board Members

Mar 03, 2017

The Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO (CCF) has added four new members to its Board of Directors. These directors, which include clinical strategist Howard A. (Skip) Burris III, MD, leading pediatric oncologist Susan Cohn, MD, FASCO, business leader Gerald J. McDougall, and seasoned tourism executive Don Welsh, will help lead the Foundation’s efforts to fund the brightest minds in cancer research while supporting the missions of ASCO and CCF.

“We are energized by the broad range of expertise and fresh perspectives that our newest Board Members collectively bring to the Conquer Cancer Foundation,” said Thomas G. Roberts Jr., MD, chair of CCF’s Board of Directors. “Each is a distinguished leader in his or her field, and we are honored that they have all chosen to volunteer their time and talents to help us work toward achieving our vision of a world free from the fear of cancer.”

Howard A. (Skip) Burris III, MD, is the chief medical officer and president of Sarah Cannon’s clinical operations, the global cancer institute of the Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), where he oversees and leads clinical strategy and drug development projects. Before this role, Dr. Burris established the first community-based phase I drug development program in Nashville, which later became the Sarah Cannon Research Institute. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, Dr. Burris received his medical degree from the University of South Alabama in 1985, and performed his residency and fellowship in hematology/oncology at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He has served on the ASCO Board of Directors and the ASCO Audit Committee, and was the chair of the ASCO Nominating Committee.

Susan Cohn, MD, FASCO, is a pediatric oncologist at the University of Chicago, whose primary focus is developing treatments for children with neuroblastoma, the most common type of cancer found in infants. Since 1990, Dr. Cohn has held several leadership positions in national pediatric cooperative clinical research groups, including serving as chair of the Children's Oncology Group Neuroblastoma Disease Committee. Dr. Cohn received her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1980, completing her residency at the Michael Reese Hospital Medical Center, Chicago, and her fellowship at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago. She is currently chief of the section of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and dean for Clinical Research at the University of Chicago. Dr. Cohn has been a member of ASCO since 1988, having served both on ASCO’s Board of Directors and as a past ASCO Treasurer.

Gerald J. McDougall is a principal at PriceWaterhouseCoopers Health Science Practice, where he provides services and expertise to academic medical centers, bioscience companies, pharmaceutical companies, research universities, colleges, health systems, and other research organizations. Mr. McDougall serves as partner on large engagements involving senior-level clients and interacts with the institution’s Board, financial leaders, and political stakeholders. His practice provides support services to many different research environments, from grant-funded basic science research to translational research and clinical trials, and has led projects at organizations dedicated to cancer.

Don Welsh is president and CEO of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), the global trade association for official destination marketing organizations (DMOs). With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, Mr. Welsh leads the organization’s efforts to advocate for the professionalism, effectiveness, and significance of destination marketing organizations worldwide. Prior to joining DMAI, Mr. Welsh served as president and CEO of Choose Chicago and held CEO positions at the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association and the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Additionally, the following members of the Board of Directors have been reappointed for another term:

  • Thomas G. Roberts, Jr. MD—Chair
  • Sandra M. Swain, MD, FACP, FASCO—Treasurer
  • Claire A. Huang—Secretary
  • Alexander Casdin—Member
  • Raj Mantena, RPh—Member

View the full Board of Directors.


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