PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®)—an influential alliance of world-renowned cancer centers—has unveiled the winners of its prestigious 2024 Awards. The accolades are bestowed upon individuals and groups who have made exceptional strides in enhancing cancer care and furthering NCCN’s mission to improve the lives of all those touched by cancer.
Collecting the NCCN Outstanding Contribution Award was the NCCN COVID-19 Vaccination Advisory Committee, a consortium of 36 experts drawn from NCCN Member Institutions. This multidisciplinary body of specialists in hematology, oncology, infectious diseases, and medical ethics, swung into action at a critical time of global uncertainty. Launching their first meeting on January 11, 2021, their initial COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations were hot off the press just 11 days later. Adaptation is the name of the game in this climate of rapid change, and the Committee subsequently refreshed their guidelines seven times as fresh data came in and new vaccines made their entrance on the stage. The current recommendations now act as an integral part of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) on Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections.
The NCCN Partners in Cancer Care Award recognized the indefatigable work of Darcie Green, Executive Director of Latinas Contra Cancer. Green’s mission to empower Latino communities to assert their healthcare rights and needs has seen her leading a team of health educators and advocates to provide culturally and linguistically sensitive cancer education, navigation, and survivor support. Collaboration has been a vital aspect of her role, with Green co-chairing the Health Equity Report Card (HERC) Community Working Group and participating in environmental scans and oncology policy summits, among other initiatives.
The NCCN Excellence in Engagement Award was presented to Shaji K. Kumar, MD, a Consultant in the Division of Hematology, Professor of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Cancer Center Research Office at Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Kumar’s dedication and leadership have made him a standout NCCN Guidelines Panel Member, with his chairmanship of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Plasma Cell Neoplasms particularly commendable. His proactive involvement with NCCN’s Global Program and Continuing Education Program was also brought into the spotlight.
Adding a further dimension to NCCN’s recognition of exceptional individuals, the NCCN Employee of the Year Award was bestowed on Donna Black, the Senior Guidelines Administrative Manager at NCCN. Voted for by her colleagues, Black’s pivotal role as part of the NCCN Guidelines Program has seen her juggling numerous tasks, from scheduling panel meetings to coordinating institutional reviews and handling submission requests.
All these honorees share a commitment to improving cancer care, a dedication to service, and a steadfast belief in NCCN’s mission. Their ceaseless efforts in the pursuit of better cancer care reflect the critical role they play in ensuring that the treatments and interventions offered to patients are not just the most advanced, but also the most compassionate and care-focused.
These awards are a testimony to the hard work, innovative thinking, and collaborative work ethic that drive progress in cancer care, which is ever more crucial at this challenging time. The NCCN’s recognition of these individuals and groups is a powerful affirmation of their contribution to the cancer community. Not only do they embody NCCN’s values, but they are also an inspiration to their peers and the patients they serve.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.