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News Release

July 28, 2006

Contact: Carolyn Pennington, 860-679-4864
e-mail: cpennington@uchc.edu

President Bush Appoints Dr. Carolyn Runowicz to Serve as Chair of the National Cancer Advisory Board

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Carolyn D. Runowicz, M.D., director of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center and a nationally prominent expert in gynecologic oncology, has been appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as chair of the National Cancer Advisory Board.

The White House announced the appointment late yesterday afternoon. The National Cancer Advisory Board advises and consults with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of the National Cancer Institute with regard to its activities, including the review and recommendation of support grants and cooperative agreements. There are 18 members of the advisory board, that include leading representatives from health and science disciplines. Dr. Runowicz has been a member of the NCAB for the past two years and is the first gynecologic oncologist to be appointed as chair. She will hold the position for two years.

“I am truly honored to assume this position,” said Dr. Runowicz, who is also President of the American Cancer Society. “I have enjoyed being a member of the board for the past two years and I look forward to working with Dr. John Niederhuber, NCI’s acting director. The advisory board will have an important role in addressing the challenges that confront the institute in this current funding climate,” she added.

Dr. Runowicz has devoted her career to advances in the treatment, early detection and prevention of cancer. She joined the Health Center three years ago and was named president of the ACS in November of 2005, the first breast cancer survivor to hold the position. Dr. Runowicz has held leadership roles with other national medical organizations and was the first woman president of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists. Dr. Runowicz co-authored a book about advances in cancer prevention titled, The Answer to Cancer, with her husband Sheldon Cherry, M.D., an ob/gyn specialist in New York City.

An Avon resident, Dr. Runowicz is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and a 2002 recipient of its Distinguished Alumni Award. She earned her medical degree from Thomas Jefferson Medical College and trained in obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Medical Center.

The National Cancer Advisory Board meets at least four times a year; members are appointed to serve six year terms.

To download a photo of Dr. Runowicz visit: http://today.uchc.edu/images/images_news/runowicz.jpg

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