American Cancer Society Names New Vice President for National Research Endeavors

American Cancer Society
Tuesday, 5 February 2002

The American Cancer Society, the nation's leading voluntary health agency, today announced the appointment of Jerome W. Yates, MD, MPH, to lead its nationwide scientific research initiatives. Dr. Yates will serve as National Vice President of Research and will be based at the Society's National Home Office in Atlanta.

As the staff executive charged with research activities for the American Cancer Society, Dr. Yates will be charged with the organization's surveillance of worldwide scientific investigation and advances in the field of oncology. Dr. Yates will also serve as a key staff resource representing the Society at national and international research meetings. In addition, as a member of the Society's senior management team, he will coordinate scientific research initiatives with the organization's other strategic programs. Dr. Yates will also be responsible for promoting research activity across the Society and play an active role in research fundraising initiatives.

"As we begin this new century, we are getting closer to finding answers that will lead to cancer cures. In that sense it is imperative that we have the nation's top scientists working on ways to stop cancer in its tracks," said Robert C. Young, MD, national volunteer president of the American Cancer Society and president of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. "Dr. Yates is one who will play a key role in supporting projects that offer the greatest potential to prevent, detect, treat and cure cancer."

Prior to this appointment, Jerry Yates was senior vice president for Population Sciences and Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Earlier, Dr. Yates served as the associate director for Centers and Community Oncology at the National Cancer Institute, where he was part of the group responsible for the generation and subsequent evaluation of the Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP). He was also a participant in the National Cancer Institute-funded research on aspects of supportive care and cancer in the elderly.

"Dr. Yates brings a wealth of experience and innovation to his position here at the Society," said Harmon J. Eyre, MD, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. "He will enable us to reach new heights in cancer research, building on his vast experience and adding to the role we have played in the field of cancer research since 1946."

Much of Dr. Yates early career included the intensive treatment of adults with acute leukemia and the protection of bone marrow transplant patients from infection using special patient isolators. These early research efforts led to the "7&3" treatment for acute adult leukemia that became the standard therapy for acute myelocytic leukemia for many years.

Dr. Yates has been an active American Cancer Society volunteer in western New York, northwestern Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Vermont. His work with local and state committees led to the National Hospice Study, which demonstrated better quality of life for those terminal patients who were supported at home rather than in institutions.

Dr. Yates received his MD from the University of Illinois in Chicago and an MPH from Harvard. He, his wife and two daughters have made their home in Orchard Park, New York.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.

For more information, or to contact American Cancer Society, see their website at: www.cancer.org