In the News

As published in the New Britain Herald, November 18, 2005.

UConn Doctor New Head of Cancer Society

By Jason Vallee

FARMINGTON -- Dr. Carolyn Runowicz, the director of the Carol and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center, is the new president of the American Cancer Society.

The official induction was scheduled to take place during the society’s annual board of directors and National Assembly meeting in Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon.

"It is both rewarding and humbling to assume presidency of an organization that is making a real and tangible difference in the lives of millions of Americans touched by cancer," Runowicz said.

Runowicz is an expert in gynecologic oncology and has not only worked with cancer patients, and is a breast-cancer survivor herself. In fact, her induction as president marks the first time in the society’s history that a breast-cancer survivor has been named president of the organization.

According to the organization, the president’s role is to act as the lead medical and scientific spokesperson and advocate for the society. Presidents are expected to serve at least a one-year term.

"Dr. Runowicz is a highly accomplished, widely respected physician and educator," said Dr. Peter Deckers, executive vice president for health affairs at the UConn Health Center. "Dr. Runowicz is a spokesman in the best possible way for the future of the institution in clinical research and patient care."

Runowicz has been involved in the organization for many years now and has previously served as the president-elect and second vice president of the society.

Since being treated for her cancer, Runowicz has devoted her career to advances in the treatment, early detection and prevention.

In 2004, she was appointed by President Bush to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board and was also recognized as a "local legend" by the American Women’s Association.

She is also a member of the National Cancer Institute’s Scientific Research Group, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Furthermore, she has served as the chair of the Gynecologic Committee of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, a leading national organization in large-scale cancer research.

Alongside her medical work, Runowicz has been involved with research studies on ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, epithelial cancer and more.

She has submitted more than 100 articles and textbook chapters to medical literature and is widely published in scholarly journals such as the American Journal of Gynecology, Journal of Clinical Oncology and Cancer.

"Her election to the presidency of the American Cancer Society is an appropriate testimony to a lifetime of significant achievement through dedication to cancer control," Deckers said.

"Anytime a member of your organization’s faculty is named to one of the most important positions in American medicine, it is a great honor for the recipient and a great honor for the organization as well."