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.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a not-for-profit alliance of 28 leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, efficient, and accessible cancer care so patients can live better lives. Through the leadership and expertise of clinical professionals at NCCN Member Institutions, NCCN develops resources that present valuable information to the numerous stakeholders in the health care delivery system. By defining and advancing high-quality cancer care, NCCN promotes the importance of continuous quality improvement and recognizes the significance of creating clinical practice guidelines appropriate for use by patients, clinicians, and other health care decision-makers around the world.
