November 21 2024
Joan Walker, MD, PhD recently announced that she will be stepping down from her position as Co-Principal Investigator (PI) of the NRG Oncology National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) Research Base. Moving forward, she will be focusing her NRG Oncology efforts on the group’s mentorship activities as well as improving diversity and eliminating disparities in clinical research.
In 2021, Dr. Walker paved the way for NRG Oncology early career new investigators with a passion for health equity and disparities research by developing the NRG Health Equity Fellowship Program. Dr. Walker approached NRG to create the program in an effort to improve diversity and inclusion in oncology research by funding and mentoring early-stage underrepresented minority scholars who wish to develop innovative studies addressing cancer equity. Researchers from underrepresented minority communities may be able to provide insights on the complex systemic disparities and barriers to healthcare access and can ultimately help us navigate a way to bridge these hurdles. By overcoming these barriers and reaching these communities, we can begin to improve delivery of care and access to clinical trials. Dr. Walker’s unmatched advocacy for mentoring and supporting these future clinical research leaders has inspired many other contributors to come forward and help fund this crucial program. In stepping down from her leadership role within NRG NCORP, she will dedicate her efforts to the leadership, guidance, and continued hands-on mentorship of this program and the selected fellows.
Dr. Walker has co-led the NRG NCORP efforts since the inception of NRG Oncology in 2014 and continues to be very involved in the NRG-CC008 ‘SOROCk’ trial comparing salpingectomy to salpingo-oophorectomy to reduce risk in women with ovarian cancer who are BRCA1 mutation carriers. Prior to her involvement in the NRG NCORP, she was also at the forefront of community oncology and cancer prevention through her leadership of the Cancer Prevention & Control (CPC) Committee for the NRG legacy organization the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG).
“Dr. Walker was fundamental in ensuring the successful historic merger of the Cancer Community Oncology Programs (CCOP) from the NSABP, RTOG and GOG adult clinical trials groups, into the single NRG Oncology, National Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). NCORP focuses on cancer prevention and control and cancer care delivery. Dr. Walker's expertise in women's health facilitated numerous clinical trials to improve the lives of women at risk for or experiencing cancer,” stated Deborah Watkins Bruner, RN, PhD, FAAN, NRG Oncology’s NCORP Contact PI.
Lisa Kachnic, MD, FASTRO, the prior NRG NCORP Associate Chair, will assume the role of NRG NCORP Co-PI in Dr. Walker’s place. NRG Oncology will be soliciting applications for a new NRG NCORP Associate Chair immediately.
MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about the NRG Health Equity Fellowship Program and donate on the NRG Website.
Keep a look out for a future NRG Oncology Podcast episode featuring Dr. Walker as she dives deeper into the topic of health equity and the fellowship.