News Release

June 23, 2004

Contact: Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523
e-mail: mmcguire@nso.uchc.edu

President Bush Appoints Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D., to the National Cancer Advisory Board

Farmington, Conn. – Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D., director of the UConn Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center, was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board.

The White House announced Dr. Runowicz’s appointment late last week. The National Cancer Advisory Board advises and consults with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of National Cancer Institute (NCI) with regard to NCI activities, including the review and recommendation of support grants and cooperative agreements. There are 18 members of the advisory board, including leading representatives from health and science disciplines, such as Dr. Runowicz, as well as leaders in the fields of public policy and environmental carcinogenesis.

“I am truly honored by this opportunity to work closely with the NCI during an exciting time of biomedical research and discovery,” Dr. Runowicz said. “The future of cancer care is tied to today’s research and our ability to translate research findings into tomorrow’s prevention, treatments and cures,” she added.

At the UConn Comprehensive Cancer Center, emphasis is placed on prevention, early detection, innovative treatments and quality of life. “We are deeply committed to finding new approaches to care through translational research,” Dr. Runowicz said.

Dr. Runowicz’s area of expertise is gynecologic oncology. Along with her responsibilities at the Health Center, Dr. Runowicz also serves as second vice president of the American Cancer Society and will ascend to the presidency in 2005. In addition, she currently serves on the National Cancer Institute’s Scientific Review Group and is also involved with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

She was the first woman president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and has been chair of the Gynecologic Committee of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a leading national organization in large-scale cancer research, since 1994. Earlier this year, American Medical Women’s Association named Dr. Runowicz a 2004 Local Legend for the State of Connecticut, a new project to honor highly successful women physicians.

“The UConn School of Medicine is very proud to include Dr. Runowicz as a member of our faculty and we consider ourselves most fortunate to have her as the leader of our cancer programs,” said Peter J. Deckers, M.D., dean of UConn School of Medicine and the Health Center’s executive vice president for health affairs. “Appointment to the prestigious National Cancer Advisory Board recognizes her leadership in American oncology,” Dr. Deckers added.

The National Cancer Advisory Board meets at least four times a year; members are appointed to serve six year terms.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

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