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On June 1, 2024, VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center director Robert A. Winn, M.D., received the American Society of Cancer Oncology (ASCO) Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award

First awarded in 2017, the ASCO Lichter Award recognizes members who have transformed the oncology field or significantly advanced the mission of ASCO, its Conquer Cancer foundation or its nonprofit subsidiary CancerLinQ, which uses real-world data to improve cancer care.

ASCO honored Winn for his work leading the nation in establishing a 21st-century model of equity for cancer science and care, in which the community is informing and partnering with Massey on its research to best address the cancer burden and disparities of those the cancer center serves, with a local focus but global impact.

“The latest discoveries mean very little when only a few people have access to them,” said Winn, who is also the Lipman Chair in Oncology at Massey. “Disparities are created when what’s happening in the lab is not translated into what’s happening in communities and how we can best reach the individuals living in them.”

In an introductory video message about the award, Eric J. Small, M.D., FASCO, ASCO’s president-elect and professor of medicine and urology at the University of California-San Francisco, said he knew no one more deserving of the honor than Winn.

“Dr. Winn’s work in community-engaged research focused on eliminating health disparities is legendary, visionary and inspiring,” said Small. “He is richly deserving of this award based on all his past achievements, but there’s no question Dr. Winn will be a visionary and inspirational leader for many, many years to come.”

Winn is the first recipient of the award from the state of Virginia. Previous awardees include Monica M. Bertagnolli, M.D., who received it in 2023 as the first female director of the National Cancer Institute and has since been appointed the director of the National Institutes of Health.

The award was created in honor of Allen. S. Lichter, M.D., FASCO, an ASCO member since 1980 who has served in several prominent volunteer roles. Lichter was the president from 1998-1999; the founding chairman of the Conquer Cancer Board of Directors in 1999; and the chief executive officer (CEO) from 2006-2016. In his ten years as CEO, Lichter oversaw the rapid growth of ASCO and the launch of important new initiatives to improve the quality and value of cancer care.

In addition to his work at Massey, Winn is the president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes; chair of the National Cancer Policy Forum of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; a fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research Academy; and a member of the Board of Directors for the American Cancer Society and LUNGevity Foundation.

Winn received the award at the opening session of the ASCO 2024 Annual Meeting, held May 31-June 4 in Chicago. ASCO currently has a membership of more than 50,000 oncology professionals from around the world. An estimated 44,000 attended the conference.

Written by: Amy Lacey