William Cance, MD, interim director for the University of Arizona Cancer Center, has accepted a new position as chief medical and scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, Michael D. Dake, MD, senior vice president, UA Health Sciences recently announced.
Dr. Cance, who joined the UA Health Sciences in October 2016, also is a professor in the Departments of Interdisciplinary Oncology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Surgery in the UA Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy – Phoenix. During his tenure here, he made enormous strides to establish a culture of collaboration to improve cancer care and treatment, Dr. Dake said.
Dr. Cance will begin his new role at the American Cancer Society in late October.
“I am grateful to Dr. Cance for his contributions and commitment to advancing the Cancer Center in its efforts to become the preeminent leader in cancer research and care by extending and enhancing the lives of individuals throughout Arizona and across the country,” Dr. Dake said.
As the center continues its progress toward renewal of its five-year Cancer Center Support Grant through the National Cancer Institute, Joann Sweasy, PhD, has agreed to serve as the new interim director for the center. Dr. Sweasy currently is the UACC associate director for basic sciences, the Maynard Cancer Prevention and Control Professor, and a professor in the Departments of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, and Radiation Oncology. Prior to joining the UA Health Sciences, she was associate director for basic sciences, the Ensign Professor of Therapeutic Radiology, and co-leader of the Radiobiology and Radiotherapy Program at Yale Cancer Center at Yale University, which had its NCI status as a Comprehensive Cancer Center renewed last fall. At Yale, Dr. Sweasy had oversight of pilot funding for the center and all cancer-focused internal grant competitions at the university.
“I am confident that Dr. Sweasy’s expertise and experience will advance our cancer-related basic science efforts, reduce disparities, enhance our programs and elevate the Center’s reputation for excellence as she guides it toward NCI Cancer Center Support Grant renewal,” said Dr. Dake.
In addition to Dr. Sweasy becoming the interim director, Julie Bauman, MD, MPH, has been appointed UACC deputy director. Dr. Bauman is uniquely qualified for this role, currently serving as associate director of Translational Research at the center, and as a professor in the Department of Medicine and chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the UA Department of Medicine at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson. Internationally recognized as an expert in both head-and-neck cancer and cancer prevention, Dr. Bauman is funded by the NCI and the V Foundation. She leads a broad portfolio of trials evaluating nutraceuticals, targeted agents and immunotherapies to prevent or treat cancer.
“With the appointments of Dr. Sweasy and Dr. Bauman, the UA Cancer Center is well-positioned to continue on its upward trajectory,” Dr. Dake said.
“Please join me in thanking Dr. Cance for his service to the UA Health Sciences and UA Cancer Center over the last three years, and in wishing Dr. Sweasy and Dr. Bauman the very best in their new roles.”
ALSO SEE:
“Dr. Julie Bauman Named Fellow of National Academic Medicine Leadership Program” | Posted Aug. 13, 2019
“Joann Sweasy, PhD, Joins UA Cancer Center as Associate Director for Basic Sciences” | Posted June 5, 2019
“William Cance, MD, named Interim Director of UA Cancer Center” | Posted April 16, 2019
“Dr. Andrew Kraft to Step Down as UA Cancer Center Director in June” | Posted April 8, 2019
“Renowned Oncology Surgeon and Physician-Scientist Dr. William Cance Joins UA Cancer Center as Deputy Director to Lead Phoenix Efforts” | Posted Oct. 24, 2016
“New Chief of Hematology and Oncology at UA Health Sciences, a Noted Head and Neck Cancer Specialist, Looks Forward to ‘Homecoming’” | Posted Aug. 29, 2016