OncLive and Washington, D.C.-based Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancer will recognize five individuals for their contributions to gastrointestinal cancer care at The Luminary Awards in GI Cancers, Nov. 29 in Washington D.C.
Here's what you should know:
1. The five honorees are:
- Criterium's John Macdonald, MD
- Colorectal Cancer Alliance's Michael Sapienza
- American Society of Clinical Onocology's Richard Schilsky, MD
- Washington, D.C.-based Medstar Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center's Paul Sugarbaker, MD
- Phoenix-based Translational Genomics Research Institute's Daniel Von Hoff, MD
2. Dr. Macdonald is a senior advisor at Criterium. He previously served as medical director and chief of gastrointestinal oncology at New York City-based St. Vincent's Comprehensive Center. . He has a robust research portfolio with more than 400 bylines.
3. Mr. Sapienza is the Colorectal Cancer Alliance's CEO. He is also president and founder of the Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation, which he merged with the CCA. The combined organization is the nation's largest nonprofit dedicated to colon cancer.
4. Dr. Schilsky is ASCO's senior vice president and CMO. He has a storied career at the University of Chicago, where he specialized in new drug development. Dr. Schilsky notably served as both the associate dean for clinical research and the director of the university's cancer center.
5. Dr. Sugarbaker is the Center for Gastrointestinal Malignancies' director and peritoneal surface malignancy program chief. With more than 900 bylines to his name, he's edited seven books, produced 24 videos and received four honorary professorships. His body of research focuses on peritoneal surface dissemination of cancer treatments.
6. Dr. Von Hoff is physician-in-chief at Translational Genomics Research Institute and holds positions with US Oncology and Rochester, Minn-based Mayo Clinic. Dr. Von Hoff and his colleagues have made several discoveries improving pancreatic cancer patient survival rates.
7. The Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers director John Marshall, MD, said, "The Luminary Awards serves to acknowledge the lifetime contributions made by truly special, dedicated, visionary individuals. Our current successes in GI cancer would not be possible without the work of these remarkable people. The Ruesch Center goal of curing all GI cancers is inspired by their efforts and contributions."