The American Cancer Society (ACS) has honored Tania Small, MD, with its Humanitarian Award, recognizing her sustained commitment to patient-centered oncology, equitable access, and global collaboration. The award reflects not only a distinguished professional trajectory but also a consistent effort to bridge science, care delivery, and community impact.
ACS remains one of the most influential organizations in cancer prevention, research funding, patient support, and advocacy. Through initiatives such as Hope Lodge, the organization provides practical and emotional support to patients and families navigating cancer care, reinforcing its mission to ensure that no one faces cancer alone.
A Career Shaped by Patient-Driven Science
Tania Small currently serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Medical Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), where she leads oncology strategy and advances patient-driven science across global teams. Her work focuses on translating scientific innovation into meaningful outcomes, with a strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion in clinical trials and therapeutic development.
She began her career as a pediatric hematologist-oncologist, later taking on leadership roles at Novartis and Ipsen. Across these roles, she has consistently worked at the intersection of science, access, and advocacy.
Beyond industry leadership, Tania Small contributes to the broader oncology ecosystem through her roles on the American Cancer Society’s Board of Advisors, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Membership Advisory Committee, and the Board of the Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs. She is also the CEO and Founder of Beacon Medical Pathway, further extending her impact in medical education and strategic development.
A Humanitarian Perspective Rooted in Community
In a recent LinkedIn post reflecting on the award, Tania Small shared a deeply personal perspective on what the recognition represents:
“𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭.
A room filled with family, colleagues, leaders, patients, advocates, and the American Cancer Society community -all there because we shared one simple truth: 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞.𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ.
There is a word for what I felt last night: 𝑼𝒃𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒖. 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒃𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆.
Because when someone is sick, it is never just one person carrying the weight. It is the parent. The spouse. The child. The friend. The caregiver. The nurse. The doctor. The stranger who chooses to help.
That is what Hope Lodge makes real.
A place to rest. A place to breathe. A place where a family can feel, even for a moment: 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆.
My Bristol Myers Squibb family showed up. My fellow American Cancer Society – New York City Board of Advisors members showed up. My mom. My daughter. My granddaughter. 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐚𝐦. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑛.
I felt held in a way I will never forget.
Last night was an honor. And the weight of that is not lost on me.
Thank you to the American Cancer Society and ACS Hope Lodge NYC for creating a place where hope has somewhere to stand.
Hope is not built in speeches. It is built in the decision to show up.
And to every patient, caregiver, and family fighting through cancer: you are why this work matters.
Hope is what we do for each other. ”
Dr. Small was also featured in “100 Influential Women in Oncology: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on Social Media in 2025” recognizing her voice and impact across the global oncology community.
Advancing Equity and Access in Oncology
Tania Small’s leadership reflects a broader shift in oncology toward integrating scientific innovation with real-world patient needs. At BMS, her work emphasizes equitable access to therapies, inclusive clinical trial design, and the translation of research into outcomes that matter for diverse patient populations.
Her recognition by ACS underscores the growing importance of leadership that extends beyond drug development, focusing on how care is delivered, who has access, and how communities are supported throughout the cancer journey.
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Written by Nare Hovhannisyan,MD