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Leadership Development Program Prepares Aspiring Leaders

Jun 21, 2010

July 2010 Issue: Early-career oncologists interested in taking on a more visible role within ASCO have a unique opportunity to gain extensive exposure to ASCO’s mission and leadership positions by participating in the organization’s Leadership Development Program. This year-long program is designed to set oncologists in the early phases of their career on the path to becoming future leaders within the Society.

“The participants in the Leadership Development Program have exceeded my expectations with their enthusiasm and their commitment. Among these men and women are future Board members and ASCO Presidents,” said ASCO CEO Allen S. Lichter, MD. “I look forward to working with the new class and helping them develop their leadership potential.”

The first class (2009-2010) of Leadership Development Program participants “graduated” at the 2010 ASCO Annual Meeting, and the second class (2010-2011) is now underway.

“The single most important effect the program has had for me is my understanding of leadership and the critical role it plays in defining organizations and their eventual success,” said Gregg Franklin, MD PhD, a 2009-2010 participant.

Time well spent
A time commitment for travel and training is required, as participants must attend all leadership meetings and activities held throughout the year. As part of this year-long commitment, participants network with prominent Society leaders, participate in a leadership boot camp held at ASCO headquarters, and gain firsthand knowledge about ASCO research activities.

“Spending time with terrific mentors has been the most influential part of the program. Interacting with these leading oncologists who affect change beyond their immediate circles has forced introspection and made me prioritize what is most important and supportive for me on my career path,” said Jyoti Patel, MD, a 2009-2010 participant.

Hands-on training enables broad-based collaboration
Members also participate in interactive learning projects, allowing them to collaborate with both ASCO staff and volunteers. The 2009-2010 participants split into three groups to pursue projects that addressed needs within the Society: creating meaningful relationships between U.S. and international members, optimizing educational opportunities for different learning styles, and improving membership retention of early-career oncologists. The participants are tasked with identifying the scope of the project, developing a plan to undertake it, and making formal recommendations to the Board of Directors to address the issues.

“The ASCO Leadership Development Program has been an outstanding experience. In addition to getting to know the inner workings of ASCO, networking with current and future leaders of this organization, and gaining a deeper understanding of the key issues affecting the membership, the program really equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to be effective in moving ASCO’s mission forward,” said Anees Chagpar, MD, MSc, a 2009-2010 participant.

Participants in the 2010-2011 class will graduate from the Leadership Development Program during the 2011 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Upon completion of the program, graduates have opportunities to take on roles within ASCO’s committees and task forces. Applications for the 2011-2012 Leadership Development Program are now available. For more information, contact professionaldevelopment@asco.org.

View a video of Robert J. Mayer, MD, Chair of the Program, discussing the impetus for formal leadership training within the Society.

2009-2010 Leadership Development Program Participants
Anees B. Chagpar, MD, MSc
University of Louisville School of Medicine

Quyen Chu, MD, FACS
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

Christine H. Chung, MD
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

Gregg E. Franklin, MD, PhD
New Mexico Cancer Center

Matthew D. Galsky, MD
Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada

Jill Gilbert, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nasser H. Hanna, MD
Indiana University Simon Cancer Center

Dawn L. Hershman, MD, MS
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
2002 Career Development Award (CDA) recipient, 2007 Advanced Clinical Research Award (ACRA) in Breast Cancer recipient

Amreen Husain, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine

Jyoti D. Patel, MD
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

2010-2011 Leadership Development Program Participants
Marcia S. Brose, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
2000 Young Investigator Award (YIA) recipient

Melissa S. Dillmon, MD
Harbin Clinic, LLC

Ana M. Gonzalez-Angulo, MD, MSc
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
2006 Career Development Award (CDA) recipient

Stephen R. Grobmyer, MD
University of Florida

John M. Goldberg, MD
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
2006 CDA recipient

Arti Hurria, MD
City of Hope
2002 YIA recipient, 2005 CDA recipient

Edward S. Kim, MD
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
2002 YIA recipient

Albert C. Craig Lockhart, MD
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

Luke T. Nordquist, MD
Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD
Emory University
2006 CDA recipient

Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Catherine H. Van Poznak, MD
University of Michigan

Comments

Anees B. Chagpar, MD, MPH, MBA, MSc, MA, FACS, FRCS, FASCO

Sep, 18 2010 2:40 PM

I had to leave a comment to get this blog page back to the top of the heap . . . For all of those procastinators out there, the deadline for applications to this year's Leadership Development Program class is Tuesday September 21. This is truly a fantastic program! For those who are early to mid career and want to have a real impact on the future of oncology, this is a great way to understand ASCO better, and to improve your own leadership skills. For those who are already in those positions of leadership, this is an ideal way to help cultivate the next generation.

We were talking at the last International Affairs committee meeting (see George Sledge's blog on this) about how to develop leaders in less developed nations with the thought being that perhaps we could model this effort on this highly successful program. I'd be particularly interested in hearing other people's thoughts on this topic as this is something we are actively working on . . .

For now, however, I hope that future oncology leaders in this country take advantage of the phenomenal program that ASCO put together!


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