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ASCO Remembers Michael C. Perry, MD

Dec 21, 2011

The Society mourns the loss of Michael C. Perry, MD—a member of ASCO since 1977—who died of polycystic disease and cancer on October 23, 2011, at the age of 66.

Within ASCO, Dr. Perry served as Editor of the ASCO Educational Book from 1995-2006 and ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings from 1991-2000. He was on the Board of Directors from 2003-2006 and was a member of the Board of Directors Executive Committee from 2005-2006. In 2001, he received a Board of Directors Appreciation Award, and in 2008, an ASCO Statesman Award. Dr. Perry was also a memberof the following committees: Cancer Education (Education Products Subcommittee Chair, 2008-2009), Scientific Program, Strategic Planning, Finance, Career Development, andGovernance Task Force.

Much of Dr. Perry’s professional career was centered at the University of Missouri (MU), where he joined the faculty of the Department of Internal Medicine in 1975. According to the MU School of Medicine’s obituary, Dr. Perry served as Director of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, and a Senior Associate Dean. He also was the Nellie B. Smith Chair of Oncology, Medical Director of Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, and Medical Director of Clinical Trials for MU’s Institute for Clinical and Translational Science. He became a professor emeritus in 2010.

On a national level, Dr. Perry was appointed to the FDA’s Oncology Drug Advisory Committee in 2004. He was a member of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) for over 30 years and was Chair of the Membership Committee for 32 years, according to Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, CALGB Chair of Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. He also served as principal investigator for MU and was a member of the CALGB Board of Directors. Dr. Bertagnolli noted that Dr. Perry was active in the Group’s respiratory and breast committees and served as Chair and Co-Chair of four CALGB studies. He also registered hundreds of patients on studies and authored or co-authored 49 CALGB publications.

“We will remember him for his keen intellect, sharp wit, and most of all his kindness and generosity to those who shared his dedication to our work,” said Dr. Bertagnolli in an email to CALGB members.

ASCO Past President Richard L. Schilsky, MD, noted that “few people have been so dedicated to any single institution as Mike was to the University of Missouri.” Dr. Schilsky, who was Chair of CALGB from 1995-2010 and a faculty member at MU from 1981-1984, described Dr. Perry as a “great clinician and teacher. Dedicated to excellence. A ‘go-to’ guy whom you could always rely on to get the job done.”

“My strongest memories of Mike will be his tireless commitment to education, regardless of the format,” said Bruce Roth, MD, who was a colleague of Dr. Perry through the Southern Association for Oncology and ASCO. “Few oncologists have demonstrated the lifelong commitment to education and training that he did. While I personally will miss him as a friend and colleague, the rest of the oncology community will surely feel the loss of this educator for a long time.”

According to his obituary, Dr. Perry leaves behind wife, Nancy; daughters, Rebecca and Katherine; brother, Paul; and numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.


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