Searching for a Second Survivorship Skipper
We’ve just launched a national search for a co-chair of SWOG’s survivorship committee, the group that oversees research of increasing importance and urgency. According to NCI statistics, there are 15.5 million Americans living after a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. And that number is expected to explode – to 20.3 million by 2026 and 26.1 million by 2040.
We’re looking for a collaborative, creative leader to steer the survivorship committee alongside Dr. Robert Krouse, one of the committee’s current co-chairs. Dr. Carol Fabian announced in April that she’s stepping down from her co-chair role, leaving open a much sought after leadership opportunity.
Shaping survivorship research at SWOG is a great prospect. Survivorship research is a high priority for the NCI’s Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Survivorship involves many cancer types – breast, prostate, colorectal, gynecologic, and melanoma are just a few among many. It can also address just about any facet of life, from financial and physical health, to the psychological effects of anxiety and depression, which can follow a battle with cancer for months or years to come.
The committee co-chair will play a key role in sparking and supporting new clinical trial ideas, providing scientific vision for the committee, identifying private and public sector partners, and providing significant mentorship, leadership, and advocacy.
We are looking for a candidate with lifestyle, behavioral, and/or psychosocial intervention expertise, as well as experience in risk assessment and evaluation of the long-term effects of cancer treatment. Experience planning and executing clinical trials is essential. Applicants should also have experience working in a cooperative group environment, or in a similarly complex, multi-institutional setting.
We will be advertising the survivorship committee co-chair position widely, looking for candidates inside and outside of SWOG. We’ll be sending the call to officials at NCI in both the NCORP and National Clinical Trials Network programs, cancer center directors, and the American Society of Preventive Oncology.
Please help spread the word. Encourage interested leaders to send their CV by Friday, July 21 to Julie Behm at julie@thehopefoundation.org. Thanks to long-time SWOG member Dr. Kathy Albain for leading this important search.
This is a wonderful opportunity to make a significant Impact. Here’s to some great candidates.
We're taking a break for the July 4 holiday, and will be back in your inbox on July 14. Meantime, remember that abstract submissions for the American Society of Hematology annual meeting are coming due. Please submit your SWOG abstract to Publications Manager Pat Arlauskas by July 19 at arlauskp@ohsu.edu
