Newswise — George J. Weiner, MD, director of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa, became the new president of the Association of American Cancer Institutes during the association’s annual meeting, October 26-28, in Chicago.

At the meeting, Dr. Weiner delivered a talk on his presidential initiative, “The Academic Difference”, which aims to gather and distribute data that highlights the unique and indispensable role played by academic cancer centers and why these efforts should be supported.

“Academic cancer centers are an incredible success story,” Dr. Weiner said. “They must continue to be supported based on their unique ability to play a leading role in leveraging the remarkable scientific opportunity before us to reduce the pain and suffering caused by cancer.”

Dr. Weiner said that the initiative will collect information about the value of academic cancer centers with respect to clinical care, research, education and economic impact. Through AACI, the information will be shared with various audiences including the general public, leadership at academic institutions, payers, corporations, chambers of commerce and government officials at the federal, state, and local levels.

Along with directing the Holden center, Dr. Weiner is the C.E. Block Chair of Cancer Research, Professor of Internal Medicine, and a faculty member in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology at the University of Iowa. He is also the director of the University of Iowa / Mayo Clinic Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Lymphoma.

Dr. Weiner obtained his undergraduate education from Johns Hopkins University, his medical degree at The Ohio State University, his internal medicine training at the Medical College of Ohio and his oncology and hematology training at The University of Michigan where he also trained in tumor immunology. He has been a faculty member at the University of Iowa since 1989.

“I look forward to George’s leadership of AACI,” said AACI Executive Director Barbara Duffy Stewart. “He has provided invaluable service to AACI as a member of its board of directors for five years, and as an administrator and researcher, he has deep knowledge of the needs of the talented individuals who work together to build a cancer center.”

Dr. Weiner succeeds Michelle M. Le Beau, PhD, director of the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center, as AACI president. He will serve a two-year term.

###

The Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) comprises 94 premier academic and freestanding cancer research centers in the United States. AACI is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer by enhancing the impact of the nation's leading academic cancer centers.