Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) commends President Joe Biden on nominating Dr. Monica Bertagnolli as the Director of The National Cancer Institute (NCI). As the principal federal agency for cancer research and training, the NCI plays a critical role in advancing innovative science to benefit patients.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Ned Sharpless for his many years of incredible service as NCI Director. Dr. Sharpless has been a true partner in advancing cancer research and patient access.
“President Biden has chosen the perfect person for the job,” said Ellen Sigal, Chair & Founder of Friends of Cancer Research. “We need a visionary like Dr. Bertagnolli to lead the NCI at this exciting time for innovation and to be at the center of the next generation of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot.”
Dr. Bertagnolli is currently a professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School, and chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
“Dr. Bertagnolli has had a celebrated career in medicine, working as a surgeon at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in significant leadership roles,” said Ellen Sigal. “Dr. Bertagnolli brings expertise the Agency needs at a true inflection point for cancer research.”
The largest funder of cancer research in the world, the NCI manages a broad range of activities across the United States and across all demographics. This momentous role requires seasoned leadership. Dr. Bertagnolli epitomizes the ethos of the Agency and brings invaluable knowledge to the NCI at a crucial time. We have full confidence in Dr. Bertagnolli’s nomination.
About Friends of Cancer Research
Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) is working to accelerate policy change, support groundbreaking science, and deliver new therapies to patients quickly and safely. We unite scientists, pharmaceutical companies, and policy makers with shared trust and guide them toward meaningful cooperation. This collaboration among partners from every healthcare sector ultimately drives advances in science, policy, and regulation that speed life-saving treatments to patients. For more information, please visit https://friendsofcancerresearch.org/.
