UCLA researcher to receive ASCO’s Ellen L. Stovall Award and Lecture for advancement of cancer survivorship care

Dr. Patricia Ganz
Dr. Patricia Ganz is helping lead a new study that ultimately aims to help patients make better-informed decisions about cancer treatment.
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Dr. Patricia A. Ganz, a medical oncologist and renowned advocate for improving the quality of cancer care from prevention through survivorship, has been named as the 2018 recipient of the Ellen L. Stovall Award and Lecture for Advancement of Cancer Survivorship Care. The honor recognizes and promotes the work of pioneers and leaders in the growing field of cancer survivorship and care.

The second annual presentation of this award will take place during the 2018 Cancer Survivorship Symposium, February 16-17, 2018, in Orlando, Florida. 

“Ensuring the best possible quality of care for cancer survivors is paramount,” said Dr. Ganz, professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and David Geffen School of Medicine, and the Director of Cancer Prevention and Control Research at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “As a personal friend and colleague of Ellen Stovall over many years, it is especially meaningful for me to receive an award in her name. I am proud to be involved in exploring new ways to advance and deliver high-quality care for the steadily growing number of cancer survivors in our world, and am honored to receive an award that highlights the ongoing strides we are making toward further addressing this crucial aspect of cancer care.”

The Ellen L. Stovall Award and Lecture for Advancement of Cancer Survivorship Care was established to recognize a distinguished leader in the survivorship field at the annual Cancer Survivorship Symposium. The award is named after Ellen L. Stovall, FASCO, a three-time cancer survivor who dedicated her life to patient advocacy and public service during her 42 survivorship years. She was relentless in advocating for better cancer care before her passing in January 2016. Ms. Stovall served on the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) National Cancer Advisory Board and was a founding member of both the Institute of Medicine's National Cancer Policy Board and its successor, the National Cancer Policy Forum.

“Dr. Ganz is an incredibly accomplished pioneer in the field of survivorship research and care, dedicating decades of her career to understanding the effects of cancer treatment and care in its entirety, from prevention through survivorship,” said Bryan Bognar, MD, MPH, FACP, Chair of the 2018 Cancer Survivorship Symposium Program Committee. “It is a privilege to honor Dr. Ganz with this award at the upcoming Cancer Survivorship Symposium; the depth and breadth of her work will positively impact the lives of cancer survivors well into the future.”

Dr. Ganz has volunteered in a variety of capacities for ASCO during her 37 years as a member and is a Fellow of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (FASCO). A current member of the Value of Cancer Care Task Force, she previously served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2003 to 2006. She has served as a member of numerous ASCO committees, including the Cancer Education, Cancer Prevention, Scientific Program, Cancer Communications, and Strategic Planning Committees, and as Chair of the Personnel Committee, Quality of Care Committee, and Publications Committee. Most recently, Dr. Ganz was the 2016 recipient of ASCO’s inaugural Joseph V. Simone Award and Lecture for Excellence in Quality and Safety in the Care of Patients with Cancer.

Dr. Ganz was a founding member of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) in 1986 and has dedicated much of her research career to studying both the acute and late effects of cancer treatment in patients and survivors. Elected to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2007, Dr. Ganz served as Vice Chair of the IOM National Cancer Policy Forum and Chaired its 2013 consensus report entitled "Delivering High-Quality Cancer Care: Charting a New Course for a System in Crisis." Additionally, she served on the NCI Board of Scientific Advisors from 2002 to 2007 and received the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor in 2010. Much of her clinical and research efforts throughout her career have focused on breast cancer and its prevention. At the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, she currently leads the research program focused on patients and survivors.