CHICAGO, IL (May 16, 2012)––Each year, through its Special Awards Program, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recognizes researchers, patient advocates, and leaders of the global oncology community who, through their work, have made significant contributions to enhancing cancer care. These recipients of ASCO's highest, most prestigious awards collectively represent significant strides in cancer treatment and leadership in the oncology community. This year, one of the Special Awards honorees is retired Fox Chase Cancer Center faculty member Robert F. Ozols, M.D., Ph.D.
Ozols will be receiving the American Society of Clinical Oncology's 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary leadership in the field of oncology. The award will be presented at ASCO's 2012 Annual Meeting in June.
An internationally recognized expert in ovarian cancer and a leader in advancing chemotherapy research, Ozols was the first to be awarded the Audrey Weg Schaus and Geoffrey Alan Weg Chair in Medical Science at Fox Chase. He also served as senior vice president and chief clinical officer until he retired in 2008 following two decades of service to the Center. His research focused on how cancer cells develop drug resistance and on strategies for overcoming resistance.
For his contributions to cancer research and treatment, Ozols received the 25th Annual Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research in 2002 (shared with Robert C. Young, M.D.), the Ninth Claude Jacquillat Award in Clinical Research in 2001 and the 1990 Cancer Research Award from the Milken Family Medical Foundation.
Before coming to Fox Chase in 1988, Ozols had headed the experimental therapeutics section of the National Cancer Institute's Medicine Branch since 1984. He joined the branch in 1976 as a clinical associate. Ozols held the rank of medical director (captain) in the Public Health Service, receiving the PHS Outstanding Unit Award in 1984 and 1988 and a PHS Commendation Medal in 1987.
Fox Chase Cancer Center is one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation's first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center's nursing program has received the Magnet status for excellence three consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. For more information, visit Fox Chase's Web site at www.foxchase.org or call 1-888-FOX CHASE or (1-888-369-2427).