Laurie H. Glimcher announced that she will assume the title of President Emerita

Who is Laurie H. Glimcher?

Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, was named President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 2016. She is also Director of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and the Richard and Susan Smith Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Previously, she was the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean and Professor of Medicine of Weill Cornell Medicine and Provost for Medical Affairs of Cornell University. Dr. Glimcher is a distinguished immunologist, widely renowned for her work in one of the most promising areas of cancer research.

Aside from her research efforts, Dr. Glimcher has been a staunch proponent of improved access to care, health policy, and medical education, while simultaneously serving as a pioneering mentor and role model for cancer research trainees and for all women in science. Notably, she was the first female to be appointed Dean of Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, and is the first female President and Chief Executive Officer of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

She has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Philosophical Society. She is a member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Association of Immunologists, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Association of Physicians, and American Association for the Advancement of Science.

She was the president of the American Association of Immunologists from 2003 to 2004. In 2020 she was named the newest member of the Stand Up to Cancer Scientific Advisory Committee.

Quoting Dr. Glimcher: “It’s an amazing time. The excitement is palpable, and I’ve been an immunologist for 35 years. This is the most exciting time for cancer immunotherapy, ever.”

Karen Knudsen shared a post by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute on LinkedIn, adding:

“Congratulations Laurie— you are a tour de force and have been an inspiration to all of us (and especially women leaders) in oncology. The world is better off because of you!”

Quoting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s post:

“Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute President and CEO, announced today that she will step down after 8 highly successful years, on October 1, 2024, and will assume the title of President Emerita.

Benjamin Levine Ebert, MD, PhD, chair of Department of Medical Oncology and a world-renowned medical oncologist and researcher, was appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve as the next president and CEO of Dana-Farber effective October 1.

The seventh president of Dana-Farber and the first woman to lead the organization in its 77-year history, Glimcher began her tenure in October 2016 with a relentless focus on improving outcomes for patients and accelerating cancer drug development. Dana-Farber is credited for playing a critical role in the development of 51% of all cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over the past five years.

“Eight years ago, I began this journey with a deep appreciation for the extraordinary research that emanated from Dana-Farber since its earliest days and the clinical excellence that Dana-Farber provides patients and families,” said Glimcher. “And now, as I reflect on my tenure, I am intensely proud of what we have achieved in providing world class care for our patients, leading in innovation and discovering new treatments and cures.”

Glimcher will continue her pioneering cancer immunology research at Dana-Farber and build on her legacy of mentoring young cancer scientists.

Read more here.”

Source: Karen Knudsen/LinkedIn and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/LinkedIn

Karen E. Knudsen is the CEO of the American Cancer Society (ACS) and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). Prior to joining ACS, Dr. Knudsen served as executive vice president of Oncology Services and enterprise director for Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson Health.

She also served as president for the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) and on the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). She serves on the board of advisors for the National Cancer Institute and on 12 external advisory boards for NCI-designated cancer centers. She is an active member of several committees with the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), in addition to serving on other academic and for-profit advisory boards.