Press Room

Share

American Cancer Society and ACS CAN Applaud Confirmation of Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 

November 7, 2023

WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate confirmed Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli, MD, as the new director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) today. The role is critical to ensuring ongoing innovation in medical research, including in oncology, and Bertagnolli’s extensive experience in the space is prime to lead the agency.  

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) has advocated for her confirmation since her nomination by President Biden in May, including issuing a letter to the Senate HELP Committee last month.  

“On behalf of the American Cancer Society and the cancer patients we represent, we applaud the confirmation of Dr. Bertagnolli as the next director of the NIH. Dr. Bertagnolli is a highly skilled, accomplished oncology leader with an impeccable track record who will transform scientific discovery in the US, building on her successful leadership of the National Cancer Institute,” said Dr. Karen E. Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society and ACS CAN. “Her extensive experience as a scientist, physician and surgeon has granted her first-hand knowledge of the importance of accelerating progress in cancer innovation and a deep understanding of the needs for cancer patients that will provide a strong and unique foundation to guide her tenure. In short, she is a game changer.” 

In addition to previously holding many professional memberships and appointments, Dr. Bertagnolli also served on the American Cancer Society (ACS)’s Board of Directors. Among her accomplishments in her tenure as interim director of the NIH, she released a robust National Cancer Plan, laying out an inspired roadmap to advance the Cancer Moonshot Initiative to end cancer as we know.  

“Dr. Bertagnolli is the ideal candidate to boldly lead the NIH into the future with over 30 years of impact as a world-renowned clinician and researcher,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “We’re excited to see her take the agency to new heights in light of our nation’s renewed focus to end cancer as we know it, for everyone and look forward to working with her on that shared goal.” 

More Press Releases AboutCancer Research Funding, National

Media Contacts

Emily Burr
Director, Media Advocacy
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]
202.919.3602
Maria Gonzalez Albuixech
Senior Director, Media Advocacy
Washington, D.C.
[email protected]

Related Press Releases

April 26, 2024

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Calls on U.S. Senate Candidates in Maryland to Make Cancer a Priority

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) called on U.S. Senate candidates in Maryland to clearly state their commitments to fighting cancer, and one of the candidates, Congressman David Trone, sat down with cancer survivors earlier today to discuss policies that alleviate the burden of cancer, a disease that continues to kill more than 1,600 Americans every day. The effort is part of ACS CAN’s national Cancer Votes program – the country’s leading voter education program for cancer-related issues and policies.

Read More
March 21, 2024

Congress Considers FY24 Appropriations Bill That Prioritizes Cancer Research and Proven Cancer Screening Funding Amidst Difficult Budget Cycle

WASHINGTON, D.C.— March 21, 2024 — Today, Congress released a series of spending bills aimed to finalize FY2024 funding that includes a $300 million increase in funding for the National Health Institute (NIH) base budget, including a $120 million increase in discretionary funding for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a modest $500,000 increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cancer screening and prevention programs and maintains the current funding level for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) at $1.5 billion. At NIH, the bill also includes a first-time appropriation of $12.5 million in dedicated funding for the development of palliative care research at NIH and a new $6 million initiative for Improving Native American Cancer Outcomes. Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the bill includes a $110 million for the Prostate Cancer Research Program. 

Read more
March 24, 2023

New Jersey is taking a giant leap forward in the war against cancer. Here's how

The following originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press on March 24, 2023.

 

Read more