Heidi Klepin will Recieve BJ Kennedy Award for Geriatric Oncology at ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting
ASCO and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation announced 2025 Special Awards Recipients. At the upcoming ASCO 2025 Annual Meeting, they will honor outstanding leaders who have transformed global cancer care.
Eric P. Winer, MD, FASCO, past president of ASCO and chair of the Joint Special Awards Selection Committee, noted:
“The recipients of this year’s Special Awards have made tremendous contributions to the oncology community, advancing progress and improving outcomes for people with cancer around the world. We are delighted to recognize their extraordinary achievements with ASCO’s highest honors.”
Among these distinguished honorees will be the prestigious BJ Kennedy Award for Geriatric Oncology, established in 2007 by Tony and Carrie Cheung in honor of Dr. B.J. Kennedy—a true pioneer in the field.
Honoring a Legacy of Excellence
The BJ Kennedy Award recognizes ASCO members whose groundbreaking work in research, diagnosis, and treatment has significantly advanced the care of older adults with cancer. The award not only celebrates extraordinary contributions but also aims to foster greater awareness and understanding of geriatric oncology among fellows and junior faculty, promoting innovations that address the unique challenges faced by an aging population.
Dr. Heidi Klepin: A Pioneer in Geriatric Oncology
This year, the award will go to Dr. Heidi Klepin, an internationally acclaimed leader in geriatric oncology. Trained as a geriatrician, oncologist, and hematologist—and holding a master’s degree in health sciences research—Dr. Klepin has devoted her career to enhancing cancer care for older adults. Now a professor in the Department of Cancer Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, she focuses her clinical practice on delivering specialized oncology care to patients aged 75 and older.
Dr. Klepin’s research leverages geriatric assessments and frailty measures to predict treatment outcomes while developing interventions that reduce treatment-related disability and improve quality of life. With steady research funding, over 180 publications, and significant leadership roles—ranging from participation in the ASCO Leadership Development Program and co-leading the national Cancer and Aging Research Group to serving on key committees—she has been instrumental in shaping national policy and raising care standards. Her dedication to mentoring future leaders is further demonstrated by her role as associate director for the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination Office at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Klepin’s forthcoming receipt of the BJ Kennedy Award for Geriatric Oncology is a powerful testament to her enduring commitment to enhancing cancer care for older adults. As the population continues to age, her pioneering work will undoubtedly inspire future innovations and shape the future of oncology care.
Stay tuned to OncoDaily for further updates.
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