Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, MD, PhD, MHCM, FASCO, has been elected to serve as President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology for the 2026–2027 term, marking a major leadership milestone for one of the world’s most influential oncology organizations.
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, a surgical oncologist and breast cancer immunotherapy researcher, will begin her presidency in June 2026. A long-time ASCO member and volunteer, she will assume the role after years of service across the Society’s leadership, scientific, educational, and grants programs.
ASCO also announced the election of six additional members to its Board of Directors and Nominating Committee, reflecting a broad range of expertise across community oncology, medical oncology, thoracic oncology, breast cancer, genitourinary oncology, and cancer care delivery.
A Surgeon-Scientist at the Center of Breast Cancer Immunotherapy
Dr. Mittendorf is the Robert and Karen Hale Endowed Chair in Surgical Oncology and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of Mass General Brigham. She also serves as Director of the Breast Immuno-Oncology Program, Co-Leader of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Co-Leader of the Breast Program for the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center.
Her career has been defined by the intersection of surgery, immunology, and breast cancer research. Her clinical and laboratory work focuses on breast cancer immunotherapy, with particular attention to the tumor microenvironment, immune checkpoint biology, systemic immunity, and biomarkers of response and toxicity.
Dr. Mittendorf earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency in General Surgery. She later served on active duty in the United States military before completing a fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She also holds a PhD in Immunology from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery.
From Clinical Trials to Immunologic Discovery
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf has led and contributed to several important clinical and translational research programs in breast cancer. Her work has included the phase 3 PRESENT study, which evaluated NeuVax treatment for the prevention of recurrence in early-stage, node-positive breast cancer with low to intermediate HER2 expression.
She also led a multicenter phase 2 trial investigating a CD8+ T cell–eliciting vaccine in combination with trastuzumab. This study was built on preclinical findings generated in her laboratory and followed a phase 1 trial she conducted that demonstrated the combination to be safe. The trial received support through a Breakthrough Award from the Department of Defense.
Her laboratory was among the first to demonstrate expression of the immune checkpoint molecule PD-L1 in triple-negative breast cancer. This work helped inform later clinical development in breast cancer immunotherapy and contributed to her selection as chair of the steering committee and principal investigator for IMpassion031, an international phase 3 trial evaluating atezolizumab with chemotherapy in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. The trial showed improved rates of pathologic complete response when atezolizumab was added to chemotherapy in the preoperative setting.
A Research Program Focused on Response, Toxicity, and Equity
The current focus of Dr. Mittendorf’s laboratory includes identifying biomarkers of response and toxicity to preoperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy. Her team is also studying how this treatment affects the immune features of the tumor microenvironment, with the goal of informing rational trials of subsequent therapy.
Another major area of investigation is the role of the systemic immune system in predicting response to treatment. Her work also examines how age and race may influence systemic immunity, an area with important implications for equitable cancer care and biologically informed treatment strategies.
Beyond breast tumor immunology, Dr. Mittendorf has published extensively on breast cancer surgery and disease management. Her work includes studies on the incorporation of biologic factors into staging, management of the axilla, and surgical decision-making after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
A Longstanding Commitment to ASCO
Dr. Mittendorf’s election follows a long record of service within ASCO. She served on the ASCO Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023 and was the Society’s Treasurer from 2022 to 2023. She has also served as Chair of the Conquer Cancer Grants and Awards Selection Committee and has been a member of both the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee and the Best of ASCO Planning Committee.
Following her election, Dr. Mittendorf said she was “honored and humbled” to serve as ASCO President and support the organization’s mission to advance research, education, and high-quality, equitable patient care.
Her presidency comes at a time when oncology is moving rapidly across multiple fronts, including immunotherapy, precision medicine, cancer prevention, survivorship, and global access to care. With her background as a surgeon-scientist and translational immunology leader, Dr. Mittendorf brings a perspective shaped by both laboratory discovery and patient-centered clinical practice.
New ASCO Board Members
ASCO also announced three newly elected members of its Board of Directors, each of whom will begin a four-year term in June 2025.
Melissa S. Dillmon, MD, FASCO, was elected to a Designated Community Oncologist seat. Dr. Dillmon is a medical oncologist and Department Chair of Oncology at Harbin Clinic LLC, now part of Advocate Health. She chairs ASCO’s Clinical Practice and Innovation Committee and has previously served as Chair of the Government Relations Committee and State Affiliate Council. She also serves on the Political Action Committee Advisory Council and is active in the Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology.
Sonali M. Smith, MD, FASCO, was elected to the Designated Medical Oncologist seat. Dr. Smith is the Elwood V. Jensen Professor and Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Section at the University of Chicago. Her ASCO leadership has included service as Chair of the Cancer Communications Committee and Professional Development Committee, Scientific Committee Program Chair for the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting, and member of the Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force and Conquer Cancer Grants Selection Committee.
Nathan A. Pennell, MD, PhD, FASCO, was elected to an Undesignated Member seat. Dr. Pennell is a Professor and Thoracic Medical Oncologist at Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, where he serves as Vice Chair of Clinical Research and Director of the Lung Cancer Medical Oncology Program. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the ASCO Educational Book and has served in several ASCO committee roles, including the Joint Special Awards Selection Committee and the Road to Recovery Task Force on Cancer Research.
New Members of the ASCO Nominating Committee
Three physicians were also elected to ASCO’s Nominating Committee, where they will each serve a three-year term beginning in June 2025.
Suzanne Cole, MD, FACP, FASCO, was elected to a Designated Community Oncologist seat. Dr. Cole is Medical Director of Community Oncology, Rural, and Underrepresented Minority Research at UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her ASCO service has included work with the Cancer Communications Committee, Diversity and Inclusivity Task Force, Practice Guidelines Implementation Network, State Affiliate Council, Annual Meeting Education Program, and Meeting and Member Publications Editorial Board.
Erika P. Hamilton, MD, was elected to an Undesignated Member seat. Dr. Hamilton is a medical oncologist and Director of the Breast Cancer Research Program at Sarah Cannon Research Institute. She is Chair of the Annual Meeting Scientific Program Committee, a member of ASCO’s Research Committee, and a former Breast Cancer Track Leader for ASCO’s Scientific Program Committee.
Rana R. McKay, MD, FASCO, was elected to an Undesignated Member seat. Dr. McKay is a medical oncologist and Professor of Medicine and Urology at the University of California, San Diego. Her ASCO roles have included service on the Conquer Cancer Grants Selection Committee, leadership within the Genitourinary Cancer – Kidney and Bladder Track of the Annual Meeting Education Program Committee, and past service on the Journal of Clinical Oncology Editorial Board.
Elizabeth A. Mittendorf, shared a LinkedIn post reflecting on the beginning of her term as the 2026–2027 President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. In her message, she introduced her presidential theme, “Intentional Teams. Exceptional Care,” emphasizing the collective role of every professional involved in cancer care.
“It’s a profound honor to begin my term as 2026-27 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) President. My theme for the year ahead is “Intentional Teams. Exceptional Care.”
In oncology, the team expands beyond any single role—encompassing everyone who contributes–from those at the patient’s bedside to those whose work supports patients behind the scenes. Together with the patient, this team shapes how care is delivered, directly impacting efficiency, quality and safety, while also enhancing the patient experience and outcomes. But high-performing teams don’t happen by chance; they must be built by design. By creating environments where every team member feels empowered, we ultimately strengthen both professional fulfillment and the care we deliver.
This focus lies at the heart of Exceptional Care—a concept that carries a vital dual meaning. My hope is that we continue to advance the highest quality of care for patients everywhere, while also fostering a culture that supports and cares for one another as colleagues and members of this community.
I look forward to working with the incredible ASCO membership in this role!”
A Presidency Shaped by Science, Service, and Patient Care
Dr. Mittendorf’s election places a breast cancer surgeon-scientist and immunotherapy researcher at the helm of ASCO during a period of intense scientific progress and ongoing challenges in access, equity, and care delivery.
Her career reflects the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of modern oncology, where surgical management, systemic therapy, immunology, translational research, and patient-centered care are deeply connected. As ASCO prepares for its 2026–2027 leadership term, Dr. Mittendorf’s background positions her to guide a global oncology community focused on improving outcomes through science, collaboration, education, and equitable care.