News Details
MD Anderson’s Dr. Ronald Walters Named New Board Chair for National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Dr. Walters elected chair of the Board of the alliance of leading cancer centers; UW Carbone’s Ruth O’Regan elected Vice-Chair.
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Left to right: Gary J. Weyhmuller, MBA, SPHR, COO, NCCN; Ronald Walters, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Ruth O’Regan, MD, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center; Robert W. Carlson, MD, CEO, NCCN; Wui-Jin Koh, MD, CMO, NCCN.
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PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA [March 28, 2019] — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) today announced the election of Ronald Walters, MD, to the role of Chair of the Board of Directors, while Ruth O’Regan, MD, was named Vice Chair.
“Defining and advancing high-quality, high-value, patient-centered cancer care globally requires input and oversight from experts across the cancer care continuum. Our board of directors—representing all 28 of the top academic cancer centers that make up our alliance—provides essential leadership and guidance on how NCCN can best help people with cancer to live better lives,” said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. “We are incredibly honored to have these two internationally-respected physicians providing strong leadership and stewardship of our mission and vision going forward.”
Dr. Walters is Associate Head for the Institute for Cancer Care Innovation, and a Breast Cancer Oncologist at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, among other roles. He’s been a member of the board for NCCN since 2012, and has served on the NCCN executive committee since 2016. He focuses on healthcare reform and system changes to improve quality and address rising costs.
“NCCN’s mission aligns perfectly with my personal efforts to make sure people with cancer everywhere receive high-quality care,” said Dr. Walters. “I’m honored to take on an even larger role in ensuring providers can utilize NCCN Guidelines and best practice standards to elevate care worldwide.”
Dr. O’Regan is the Division Head of Hematology and Oncology and Associate Director for Clinical Research at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. She is an internationally-recognized breast cancer physician whose research is focused on identifying new therapies for triple negative breast cancer.
“Working closely with NCCN gives me opportunities to further impact cancer care by helping the organization to share reliable information that keeps clinicians everywhere up-to-date on the latest life-saving research,” said Dr. O’Regan. “The NCCN Guidelines are the most frequently-updated medical guidelines in any medical discipline, and they’re all available for free online. I look forward to helping NCCN continue to enhance everything they have to offer the oncology community.”
Drs. Walters and O’Regan succeed Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, from Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine and Jan C. Buckner, MD, from Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, outgoing Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, both of whose contributions to NCCN have been invaluable and greatly appreciated. Board Treasurer Patrick J. O’Brien, MBA, from Fox Chase Cancer Center, and Secretary Lori C. Pickens, MHA, from Yale Cancer Center/Smilow Cancer Hospital continue as officers of the Board of Directors.
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