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2014 Special Awards Honor Professional Achievements, Outstanding Service

Mar 12, 2014

ASCO confers Special Awards to recognize researchers, physicians, patient advocates, and leaders of the global oncology community who, through their work in clinical oncology, cancer research, or public and government advocacy, have made significant contributions to the field of cancer care.

Among this year's awardees are a researcher and Nobel Prize winner credited with discovering the important role that human papillomavirus plays in cervical cancer and a world-class physician-scientist renowned for his work on translational research and for his excellent patient care.

"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."

Most of the awards and the Fellows of the American Society of Clinical Oncology distinction will be presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting taking place in Chicago, May 30–June 3, at McCormick Place. The 2014 Special Awards Honorees are:

  

David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture: H.M. (Bob) Pinedo, MD, PhD
Presented during the Opening Session at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting, Saturday, May 31, 9:30 AM

Dr. Pinedo is a Professor Emeritus of the VU University Medical Center (VUmc) and a consultant to the Board of the VUmc Cancer Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. As a clinical investigator taking new concepts into early clinical trials, he has made seminal observations in cancer biology and treatment-related mechanisms of drug action and resistance in the patient.

First presented in 1970, the David A. Karnofsky Memorial Award and Lecture honors Dr. Karnofsky by recognizing an oncologist who has made outstanding contributions to cancer research, diagnosis, and/or treatment.

   
 

Science of Oncology Award and Lecture: Harald zur Hausen, MD
Presented during the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting Plenary Session, Sunday, June 1, 1:00 PM

Dr. zur Hausen is a virologist and cancer researcher who discovered the important role that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays in cervical cancer. His ground-breaking research in the 1970s and 1980s paved the way for the development of the HPV vaccine in 2006. He was honored with a Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2008 for this achievement.

Created in 2005, the Science of Oncology Award and Lecture is presented annually in recognition of a recipient's outstanding contributions to basic or translational research in cancer.

   
 

ASCO–American Cancer Society Award and Lecture: Graham A. Colditz, MD, DrPH
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting, Sunday, June 1, 8:00 AM

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 of the Institute for Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, and Associate Director of Prevention and Control at the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center. He pursues approaches to the translation of epidemiologic data to improve risk stratification and to tailor prevention messages and screening strategies, and researches benign breast disease and other markers for breast cancer risk, among other topics.

First presented in 1993, the ASCO-ACS Award and Lecture recognizes significant contributions to cancer prevention and control research or practice.

   
 

B. J. Kennedy Award and Lecture for Scientific Excellence in Geriatric Oncology: Stuart M. Lichtman, MD, FACP
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting, Saturday, May 31, 4:45 PM

Dr. Lichtman is an attending physician at Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, a member of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and their 65+ Clinical Geriatric Group, and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. He received his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine and has devoted his career to providing quality care to underserved and undertreated older populations with cancer.

Created in 2007 in honor of B.J. Kennedy, MD, this award and lectureship recognizes an ASCO member who has made outstanding contributions to the research, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in elderly patients, and in bringing an understanding of geriatric oncology to fellows and junior faculty.

   
 

Pediatric Oncology Award and Lecture: Leslie L. Robison, PhD
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting, Saturday, May 31, 1:15 PM

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. He is the principal investigator of the groundbreaking Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CSSS), a multi-institutional study begun in 1994 which has yielded significant, practice-changing findings in every aspect of cancer survivorship, including risk of secondary malignancies, treatment-related late effects, genetic polymorphisms, behavioral and psychosocial outcomes, reproductive complications, tobacco use and cessation, and quality of life.

First presented in 2002, the Pediatric Oncology Award recognizes the career and achievements of an individual who has contributed outstanding scientific work—laboratory, clinical, or epidemiologic—of major importance to the field of pediatric oncology.

   
 

Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award and Lecture: Aron Goldhirsch, MD
Presented at the 2014 Breast Cancer Symposium, September 4-6, San Francisco, California

Dr. Goldhirsch is Director of the Multidisciplinary Program of Senology and Deputy Scientific Director at the European Institute of Oncology, Italy, and a Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Bern, Switzerland. He has served as Chair of the Update Committee of the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group, which conducts large-scale meta-analyses of breast cancer treatments, and Vice-Chair of the Breast International Group, a consortium of cooperative groups around the world for conducting clinical trials for breast cancer therapies.

First presented in 2007 and named in honor of cancer research pioneer Dr. Gianni Bonadonna, this award recognizes an active clinical and/or translational researcher with a distinguished record of accomplishments in advancing the field of breast cancer and with exceptional mentoring abilities.

   
 

Distinguished Achievement Award: Jaime de la Garza, MD
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting at a private function

Dr. de la Garza is the Executive Secretary of the Science Advisory Council for the President of the Mexican Republic and a clinical research investigator at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Tlalpan, Mexico. He is a founding member of the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) and the Mexican Oncology Board, for which he also served as President. He was the first ASCO member from Latin America.

Created in 2009, the Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes leadership or mentorship by a scientist, practitioner or researcher in any subspecialty of oncology that has benefited ASCO members and/or their patients.

   
 

Special Recognition Award: James O. Armitage, MD, FASCO
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting at a private function

Dr. Armitage is the Joe Shapiro Professor of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Past President of both ASCO and the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation. He developed and directed the bone marrow transplant program at the University of Iowa and later at the University of Nebraska, and has served on a number of advisory boards and committees in both the United States and internationally.

Created in 1992, the Special Recognition Award honors achievements of an individual whose research and innovations have had a transforming and lasting effect in areas of clinical oncology, cancer research, clinical trials, and patient advocacy activities or outstanding long-term service to ASCO and/or to clinical oncology.

   
 Excellence in Teaching Award: Michael H. Levy, MD, PhD
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting during the Training Program Directors' Special Session, Friday, May 30, 4:00 PM

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. He developed the Lippincott Family Hospice Program, the Pain and Palliative Care Program, and the Medical Ethics Committee at Fox Chase, serving as Director of the former programs and Chair of the latter. Dr. Levy is the first recipient of this new Special Award.

New in 2014, the Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes an ASCO member who has had a demonstrable impact on their trainees and who have inspired and shaped the trainee's practice of cancer medicine.
   
 

Humanitarian Award: Surendra S. Shastri, MBBS, MD, DPh, DHA
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting during the Opening Session, Saturday, May 31, 9:30 AM

Dr. Shastri is a Professor and Head of the Department of Preventive Oncology at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India, and heads the World Health Organization's (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Early Detection. He cofounded the Advocacy Forum for Tobacco Control, which was critical in drafting national tobacco control legislation in India; initiated and directs the Smokefree Mumbai Campaign, which resulted in strict enforcement of a smoking ban in public areas in Mumbai; developed a low-cost cancer control program in rural districts; and led a study that showed a simple vinegar test reduced the rate of cervical cancer death by 31%.

First presented in 2011, the Humanitarian Award recognizes an oncologist who personifies ASCO's mission and values by going above and beyond the call of duty in providing outstanding patient care through innovative means or exceptional service or leadership in the USA or abroad.

   
 

Partners in Progress Award: Michael S. Katz, MBA
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting during Highlights of the Day II Session, Monday, June 2, 7:30 AM

Mr. Katz is Vice President of the International Myeloma Foundation. A survivor of multiple myeloma and rectal cancer, Mr. Katz has worked as a patient advocate across a broad spectrum of cancers for the past two decades, serving as Chair of the Patient Representatives Committee at the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, on the National Cancer Institute's Director's Consumer Liaison Group, and on the Association of Cancer Online Resources.

First awarded in 2003, the Partners in Progress Award recognizes a person involved in patient advocacy activities that impact public awareness about cancer, its causes, cures, or treatment, or activities that result in additional support either legislatively or fiscally for cancer research, treatment, prevention or care.

   
 

Public Service Award: Congressman John Carney
Presented at a private function

Mr. Carney is the Delaware representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, and has contributed to the state's efforts to improve the quality of life and health of its citizens for more than a decade. During his time as Lieutenant Governor, he worked to pass the Delaware smoking ban and led the passage of the state's Cancer Right to Know law, which makes cancer data more available to citizens. He is the former Chair of the Disparities Committee of the Delaware Cancer Consortium and helped lead a comprehensive statewide colorectal screening program that resulted in a 41% reduction in colorectal mortality rates of black individuals in the state.

First presented in 1992, the Public Service Award recognizes a person involved in legislative, political action, or community service activities that impact public awareness about cancer, its causes, cures, or treatment, or activities that result in additional support either legislatively or fiscally for the field of cancer research, treatment, prevention, or care.


Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology
Presented at the 2014 ASCO Annual Meeting during the Opening Session, Saturday, May 31, 9:30 AM

The Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO) distinction recognizes ASCO members for their extraordinary volunteer service, dedication, and commitment to ASCO. The 2014 recipients of this distinction are:






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 Paul Yu, MD
Robin T. Zon, MD, FACP
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