Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is honored to announce the addition of former Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, to its Board of Directors.

“Dr. Bertagnolli has built her incredible career around improving the lives of patients through advancing science and public health and increased access to care,” said Friends’ Chair & Founder, Ellen Sigal. “We are very fortunate to be adding a board member with deep experience as a physician scientist and a patient herself, Monica deeply understands the intricacies and personal impact of biomedical research.” 

“Throughout my career I have benefited tremendously from the work of Friends of Cancer Research. It is an honor and a pleasure to join the Board of an organization that achieves powerful results and advances progress for all people with cancer.” – Dr. Monica Bertagnolli 

As the Director of the NIH, Dr. Bertagnolli oversaw the work of the largest funder of biomedical and behavioral research in the world while also making history as the first surgeon and second woman to hold the position.  

Before joining the NIH, Dr. Bertagnolli served as the 16th director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery in surgical oncology at Harvard Medical School, and as a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her laboratory work has focused on advancing our understanding of the genetic drivers of gastrointestinal cancer development and the role of inflammation as a promoter of cancer growth. 

To learn more about Friends Board of Directors click here.