The Foundation received exciting news on Friday, November 17, 2023, as President Joe Biden expressed his intention to appoint Dr. W. Kimryn Rathmell as the 17th Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI is the primary federal agency dedicated to cancer research and training, and it stands as the world's largest funder of cancer research.

Dr. Rathmell, currently serving as Physician-in-Chief and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, is a distinguished physician-scientist, oncologist, and educator. Her expertise lies in kidney cancer, and she employs genetic, molecular, and cell biology in her research to uncover the fundamental drivers of kidney cancers, striving to enhance patient outcomes.

With a history dating back to 2004, Dr. Rathmell has a longstanding connection with the Forbeck Foundation. Initially, she was a Scholar at the Forum on "Molecular Targets in Pediatric Malignancies" and later became a valued member of our Scientific Advisory Board over a decade ago.

Interestingly, Dr. Norman E. Sharpless, Director of the NCI from October 17, 2017 - April 30, 2022,  shares a similar connection as he was a Forbeck Scholar in 2003. The Foundation is proud to see its alumni making significant contributions to the leadership of the National Cancer Institute.

Congratulations Kim! We can't wait to see your impact at the NCI!